5 Best Guy Ritchie Movies Except for 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' & 'Snatch'
While some of these works turned out unevenly, others are true gems that have undeservedly remained in the shadow of his early hits.
Guy Ritchie burst onto the film scene in the late 1990s with two crime comedies that instantly achieved cult status: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch set a new standard for British gangster cinema.
These movies resonated so strongly with viewers that Ritchie's name is still primarily associated with them. Yet the director has created far more than just two gangster masterpieces.
1. 'King Arthur: Legend of the Sword', 2017
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 31%
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Guy Ritchie was given one of the biggest budgets of his career to make King Arthur: Legend of the Sword. Although the movie failed to recoup its investment, the director's enthusiasm is clear.
The classic tale has been reimagined in a modern style and is packed with humor. Arthur is an ordinary thief living in a brothel – hardly the stuff of legend.
Yet, the moment he pulls Excalibur from the stone, his thrilling odyssey toward destiny begins.
2. 'Revolver', 2005
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 13%
Jake Green, a gambler, served seven years for organizing illegal games. Upon his release, he had a secret knowledge that could guarantee victory in any game. He sets out to exact revenge on his nemesis, Dorothy Macha, and soon undergoes a profound transformation.
His relationship with Madonna immersed Ritchie in philosophy, specifically Kabbalah, which is why many critics and viewers failed to embrace Revolver.
Nevertheless, the director’s boldness is mesmerizing – a standard crime story evolves into a biblical parable, the most multilayered statement of his career.
3. 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.', 2015
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 68%
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The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is a remake of the popular 1960s TV series of the same name. It follows CIA agent Napoleon Solo and KGB operative Illya Kuryakin as they join forces on a perilous mission to stop a neo-fascist group from acquiring and proliferating nuclear weapons.
Steven Soderbergh was initially interested in the project, but he stepped aside to work on Magic Mike. Guy Ritchie took the helm and created an incredibly stylish and often hilarious film about a rare instance of cooperation between the two superpowers.
The exceptional chemistry between Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer is complemented by expertly staged action sequences and standout performances from Alicia Vikander and Elizabeth Debicki.
4. 'RocknRolla', 2008
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 60%
Ritchie made RocknRolla following his divorce from Madonna and the double failure of the romantic Swept Away and the arty Revolver. In many ways, it marks a return to his early style.
Frenetic yet, at times, aggressive and tangled in its narrative threads, RocknRolla feels like a mix of quintessential Guy Ritchie and self-parody, fueled by sheer adrenaline.
Ironic flashbacks and a whirlwind of coincidences drive this energy, serving as a swan song for the old school of gangsters. RocknRolla may not be Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, but Ritchie has lost none of his audacity.
5. 'The Gentlemen', 2019
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%
The Gentlemen marks Ritchie's return to familiar territory, yet the movie is executed with directorial maturity and tact. In this crime comedy, one senses that the filmmaker is no longer trying to prove anything, instead, he moves with confidence and ease.
Crime boss Mickey Pearson decides to get out of the game and sell his business to an American named Matthew. However, some of his rivals view the rumors of his departure as a sign of weakness.
Mickey and his right-hand man, Raymond, try to prevent an all-out war.
