Bube, Dame, König, grAS

Ein Toben von vier abgefeimten Gangster-Gruppen mit einem originellen Drehbuch und einer originellen Regie, das die Welle eines neuen Subgenres startete. Ich fühle mich ein bisschen schuldbewusst, dass ich einem Film, der eine unerschütterliche Position unter den besten Gangster-Filmen hat, nur vier Sterne gebe. Wenn ich ihn im Jahr 1998 gesehen hätte, vor Snatch - Schweine und Diamanten, der noch ausgefeilterer ist, würde dieser Film alle fünf Sterne bekommen. (14.09.2011)

The incredibly well-thought-out script, which beautifully leads to a typically "Ritchie-esque" ending from the very first scenes, hand in hand with refined execution, forms a unique whole, which is a joy to watch with pure cinematic pleasure. By strict standards, the carefully dosed blend of violence, pitch-black humor, and all sorts of absurdity are filmed at a rapid pace, where detailed camera movements persist, just like the quick editing or low-angle shots of the slowly walking characters. But beware, this is no Michael Bay film! Ritchie has a very distinctive storytelling style in which he somehow omits the main characters and only outlines the diverse panorama of London's underworld. It must be acknowledged that due to the effort to be witty and cool at all costs, sometimes Ritchie slips into gratuitousness, and the plot becomes overly contrived. But who cares if you're rolling on the floor laughing? I certainly don’t. (17.11.2005)

Eines, dass sich mehr als nur sehen lassen kann. Die Handlung ist nicht besonders verzwickt, jedoch hat sie mit einer solchen Leichtigkeit geschriebene Dialoge und eine derart elegante Regieführung, dass man dabei einfach Spaß haben muss. Sogar die Hauptfiguren sind es wert und werden sicherlich allen genüge tun, die eine solche Art von kriminellem Karikaturismus mögen. Infolgedessen hat mich Snatch - Schweine und Diamanten wahrscheinlich mehr in seine Action hineingesaugt, jedoch ich habe mich hierbei trotzdem großartige. (16.04.2007)

Maybe Ritchie took over the genre of witty gangster films from Tarantino, but both here and especially in Snatch, he proved that Quentin, with his first films, can skate. I'll probably never understand how a screenplay with such characters (the black guy from the bar speaks for everyone), plot (half a million, junkies, machine gun, cop, and a lot more), and directorial gimmicks, with which Guy completely brims, can be invented. Chill soundtrack, the beginning of a new era, and the creation of a cult parody. (19.02.2006)

Guy Ritchie is sometimes inaccurately referred to as the British Tarantino. In any case, his distorted dark comedy about eccentric characters of the British underworld, full of slang, unbelievable vulgarisms, and one-liners, as well as characters, motives, and misunderstandings, has achieved extraordinary resonance, and Ritchie successfully imitated the same style several times. The film is significantly influenced by music videos and commercials, and for the sake of authenticity, the director even used non-professional actors - the small-time criminals, whom he cast as members of the British gallery. It was entertaining, fast-paced, and filled with great filmmaking energy. The term Ritchie Style was born... Overall impression: 90%. (15.02.2013)

The first of Richie’s gangster joyrides and, in fact, the beginnings of a new subgenre. I’d give it full marks, but Richie’s younger disciples have since managed to fine-tune the details and step on the gas. An amazing final scene. (08.03.2021)

Several groups of dimwits chase each other for two hours in an attempt to steal money, drugs and guns in a Tarantino-like gangster film with (attempts at) typically English humour. The full-blown finale is satisfying, but the rest not so much. The forefather of most cheesy indie underground gangster films – so I can understand the high ratings out of sentiment and pioneering, but the bottom line is that it's a total (un)funny mess. That’s it. (23.11.2021)

A wonderful story from the underworld. I haven't had this much fun with a film in a long time, not since I watched, to the sound of music from Zorba the Greek, a criminal gang preparing to shoot another gang, but which was also preparing, and yet neither side knows exactly who is up against them and what their objectives are. Guy Ritchie already brought out everything I love about his films in his debut. Plus Sting. (15.03.2021)

Guy Ritchie was surprisingly in top form already at the start of his career. His style of storytelling is very unconventional and different from the "ordinary", but, as you can see from the reviews here, he usually succeeds. The script gives space to a large range of characters who are introduced in detail at the beginning and go on to play a crazy game full of mobsters, double-crosses and money, one that cannot end except in a big screw-up. Everything is perfectly thought out, the scenes flow seamlessly into each other and the climax is a treat; Ritchie is a master at it and there is no one like him. A bit weaker than Snatch, but nobody can take away this film's position among the best crime comedies. (28.05.2012)