Cinema Review (From Penarth Times)

Cinema Review

The 51st State (18) ***

SAMUEL L JACKSON, the star of cult movies such as Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown and A Time To Kill returns to the UK cinema screens as a kilt wearing, golf club carrying drug chemist, named Elmo McElroy in the action packed The 51st State.

This fast paced movie begins in the USA where Elmo double-crosses his drug baron boss, by blowing up him and his associates.

The action quickly zips across the Atlantic Ocean, where the now unemployed chemist wants to sell the ultimate drug (that can be made with totally LEGAL substances) to the highest bidder.

Felix DeSouza, played by the incredibly talented Robert Carlyle, is the go-between who is sent to the airport to collect Elmo.

He is also a die-hard football fanatic who takes Elmo to his hometown of Liverpool to meet the local crime boss, who is well played by Ricky Tomlinson.

But unknown to Elmo there is an assassin following him, hired by the supposedly dead American drug lord.

This is where the rip-roaring, action packed adventure really starts to take shape. Slotted in between the car chases, gunplay and many good stunts is the witty dialogue that adds real substance to the film.

The 51st State is set mainly in Liverpool, which is a nice change from London and California, and even though it is an action movie with touches of comedy, it doesn't take itself too seriously.

Director Ronnie Yu has blended all the elements together very well, from casting to stunts and the all-important script, and even though there are a few plot holes, this is a good film overall.