Wildly entertaining but riddled with as many plot holes as bullets, Formula 51 (a.k.a. The 51st State) is a love-it-or-hate-it action comedy that plays like Tarantino on the Thames. It's a raucous hash, highlighted by the sheer pleasure of Samuel L. Jackson--in a kilt, no less--strutting his stuff among denizens of the British underworld. As freelance chemist Elmo McElroy (whose tartan attire remains glibly unexplained), Jackson is perfectly teamed with The Full Monty's Robert Carlyle in a scam involving Elmo's latest pharmaceutical concoction, which promises to yield a fortune on the rave scene. This attracts a loopy British kingpin (the outrageous Rhys Ifans), Elmo's vengeful ex-boss (Meat Loaf), a corrupt cop (Sean Pertwee), and a lovely assassin (Emily Mortimer) with a soft spot for Carlyle. They're all given generous helpings of Stel Pavlou's profanely zesty dialogue, and director Ronny Yu strikes a breezy balance between rampant hilarity and blood-splattering violence. If that's your cup of tea, Formula 51 guarantees a satisfying buzz. --Jeff Shannon
Explosively entertaining action yarn with Samuel L. Jackson as a kilt-wearing renegade chemist who has invented an illegal drug more potent than any other on the street. But when he heads to England to complete a $20 million deal, he's targeted by former employer Meat Loaf and hit woman Emily Mortimer, whom Jackson learns is romantically linked to his British contact, Robert Carlyle. With Rhys Ifans, Sean Pertwee. AKA: "The 51st State." 93 min. Standard and Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, Spanish; "making of" documentary; theatrical trailers. NOTE: This Title Is Out Of Print; Limit One Per Customer.
