One of the perks of reviewing movies on DVD format is that surprises often arrive, especially sometimes when a heavy prejudice has been lodged at said film. Samuel Jackson's Formula 51 is one such film, which not only tanked at the theater, but also was a stinker in my mind. Of course that was unfair as I should approach each film without bias, but hey I am only human.
The film stars Jackson (Elmo McElroy) as a late 1960's hippie turned early 1970's college graduate with a degree in pharmacuticals. With huge plans Jackson is celebrating his just received degree by racing down the highway smoking weed. Pulled over for speeding, McElroy's career path is suddenly damaged. Flash forward to present day and McElroy has used his chemical knowledge to work underground for drug dealers. McElroy's greatest work of his life is formula 51, a new drug that he claims will revolutionize the ravers. This pleases his boss The Lizard, played by Meatloaf. Of course Meatloaf wants all the credit, so McElroy devises a plan to head to the UK and sell the formula to a rival dealer. He sets up an explosion to take out the Lizard, which works on killing all the investors, except The Lizard. Now with an assassin sent to take out McElroy, and a Drug Lord's personal protector [Felix DeSouza (Robert Carlyle)] watching over McElroy, the deal of the century is at stake.
What I really enjoyed and failed to realize about the film was it's english stance. More than 90% of the film takes place in merry old England with the characters being just as weird as one would want them to be. The films action is seamlessly melded with moments of comic relief. The mixing is sometimes insane as a bloody gun battle can cause laughter as one survivor gets a "flesh wound" on the ass.
The movie isn't terribly original with it's plot twist, which I and most audiences figured out before the film's conclusion. Supporting cast really help the film move along with very little moments of dead air as I like to call it. Forumla 51 certainly isn't a hit or something that will be remembered years from now, as was the case with Trainspotting or Pulp Fiction. However, it did surprise me and is worth a viewing when the more popular films are out.
The Disc:
The movie has action sequences that are far more graphic than I expected. The DVD's transfer quality is really really well done in this regard. The little cinematic touches shine as the film's look plays on the small screen. With both Widescreen and Full Screen to choose from, viewers get the best of both worlds on the same disc.
Sound comes through in the standard DD 5.1 that's respectable but somewhat of a let down considering the all out balls nature of the movie. The dialog is clear and crisp while use of the surrounds is a bit limited. In all the sound section pleases but is hardly of the quality one would hope for on this type of film.
Extras are hardly present with a Cinemax special of all things leading the way. Yea, you know you got trouble when you don't make the HBO cut. In all seriousness though there is a severe lacking here.
bottom line:
Nowhere near as bad as the movie's theatrical take would have you believe. Samuel Jackon's kilt wearing chemist McElroy is quite a site. Worth a rental on a cold and stormy night. Fans of Jackson should especially witness this piece.
3 out of 5
By - Brian Gray
