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Things haven't gone too well for Guy Ritchie in the past few years. First his film Swept Away was awarded five gongs at the 2002 Golden Raspberry Awards including, Worst Picture, Worst Director and Worst Actress for its star (and his wife) Madonna. It did so badly at the box office in America that it was sent straight to DVD upon its release in the UK and the only successful thing the film did was firmly remove Guy Ritchie from the podium of Great British Director; a position he's previously been awarded after the success of his first two films Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. His next release Revolver failed at regaining him any of his previous reputation, and the film opened to a lukewarm reception. Add to this the recent stories of trouble within the Ritchie Household and rumours that the couple are soon to divorce currently doing the rounds. You can therefore see why things really aint been that great for Mr Guy Ritchie. The release of his new film RocknRolla was therefore loaded with great anticipation, but it is safe to say that finally the talented writer/director is back on form.

The film centres around the character Archie (Strong) who is the right-hand man for mobster Lenny (Wilkinson) who has the most influential position in London's property market. He has firmly greased the palms of all the important people and no property is bought or sold with out his say so. He gets involved with the Russian billionaire Uri (Roden) who needs his help to buy and get planning permission for his new arena. While the deal is being completed Uri loans Lenny his luck painting which is promptly stolen by his Rock Star step son Johnny Quid (Kebbell). At the same time Uri's crooked accountant Stella (Newton) hires One Two (Butler) and Mumble (Elba) to steal the seven million euros Uri needs to pay Lenny. Thus unfolds a labyrinthine plot that involves car chases, Russian war criminals and London's criminal underworld.

The film has all the characteristics that made Ritchie famous; the colourful characters, the interconnected storylines and the use of an effective narration, and he thus constructs a film that will be enjoyed by both audiences and critics alike. The multitude of actors play each of their parts convincingly with particular applause to Butler who is at the forefront of the action and plays the role of One Two with a distinctive sexiness, humour and charm. Ritchie has decided to inject a large dose of sympathy and overall the film has more of a heart and therefore lacks the consistent comedy of Snatch and while it does veer off the road ever so slightly during the middle of the film, the use of the said sympathy is well placed. The sound track for the film is perfect and the superb title track (Rock and Roll Queen by the Subways) reverberates uncontrollably in your brain.

Perhaps the only flaw with the film is the under use of the character Johnny Quid, who we are lead to believe plays a bigger part in the film as its title's rocknrolla. But with Guy Ritchie confirming in a recent Press Conference that the films sequel is already written, perhaps this is not the last we shall see of the infamous Johnny Quid.