Mean Machine (EOTWS)

End Of The Week Shorts #19 extract: Mean Machine (2001)

This is just one of those movies that I can't see the faults in as I'm too busy having a good time and laughing like a moron. Whilst I don't like the intro much, as soon as we're in the prison, this movie is golden. What makes this so is that it's bursting at the seams with so many brilliant caricatures - I say 'caricatures' because it's easy to argue that the characters within aren't very well-rounded or provided with much depth, but this works so well. The simplicity of the emotional drive, the simplicity of the plot, the simplicity of the characters all imbue this story with unrelenting energy that explodes with the brilliant final act. I don't think there is anything more basic in logic and in heart than a good, heated football match - and Mean Machine captures this with class (of a very idiosyncratic kind). 

I can see why people would hate this movie, but I don't. It's dumb, but it's good fun. If you would like a more senseless and silly film in the same vein as Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, maybe give this a go.