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The 51st State Details

2001 Certificate 18
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 8364 members

Kilt-wearing master chemist Elmo McElroy (Samuel L. Jackson) has developed a new drug that is more potent then cocaine or Ecstasy. Best of all, none of the ingredients are illegal, meaning that this substance could easily be sold worldwide. Unfortunately for McElroy, he is caught in the snare of psychotic drug kingpin the .. Read more

Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Carlyle, Rhys Ifans, Emily Mortimer
Director Ronny Yu
Genres Comedy

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The 51st State cover art

The 51st State

Kilt-wearing master chemist Elmo McElroy (Samuel L. Jackson) has developed a new drug that is more potent then cocaine or Ecstasy. Best of all, none of the ingredients are illegal, meaning that this substance could easily be sold worldwide. Unfortunately for McElroy, he is caught in the snare of psychotic drug kingpin the Lizard (Meat Loaf). McElroy's attempts to escape his boss and start a new life land him in Liverpool, England, where he encounters Felix DeSouza (Robert Carlyle), the America-hating henchman of a local drug lord. DeSouza and McElroy find themselves on a wild, dangerous ride as they try to make a deal that will net them some major cash and give them a chance to start over. In the meantime, Dakota (Emily Mortimer)--a beautiful assassin who happens to be DeSouza's ex-girlfriend--is sent by the Lizard to kill McElroy, but ends up becoming his guardian angel. The quirky cast of characters also includes Rhys Ifans as Iki, a disturbed drug dealer and rave host; Sean Pertwee as Detective Virgil Kane; Ricky Tomlinson as the haemorrhoid-plagued Leopold Durant; and, a group of skinheads who want in on the deal. The film is directed by Ronny Yu (BRIDE OF CHUCKY).

Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Carlyle, Rhys Ifans, Emily Mortimer, Meat Loaf, Sean Pertwee, Ricky Tomlinson, Paul Barber
Director Ronny Yu
Studio MOMENTUM PICTURES
Run time DVD: 1 hr 32 mins
Certificate Certificate 18
Genres Comedy
Language DVD: English
Subtitles DVD: English
Released DVD: 07 Oct 2002
Production year: 2001
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (2) of The 51st State

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  • 2 stars out of 5

    On the surface, this visceral crime thriller from Bride of Chucky director Ronny Yu is merely an exercise in noisy excess, and yet several elements mark it out as something slightly unusual. For openers, the script about a master chemist trying to sell the ultimate in designer drugs was sent to Samuel L Jackson by a first-time writer and off-licence worker (Stel Pavlou), and then given the go-ahead. On top of that, it's set in less than glamorous Liverpool; streetwise Jackson's pharmacist hero wears a kilt; and antagonistic sidekick Robert Carlyle is a rabid football fan who's only in it for a prized match ticket, not the money. It's these tongue-in-cheek details — and familiar Liverpudlian faces from TV shows such as Brookside — that add some freshness to a fairly mindless film. Rhys Ifans's eccentric crimelord and Emily Mortimer's sexy hitwoman don't ring true at all, but gritty realism isn't on the agenda here.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006

  • Loud and pointless gangster movie with over-the-top acting and a dim-witted, foul-mouthed script.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of The 51st State

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  • 17 out of 18 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Fantastic Fun

    This film is fairly packed with action and has more than its share of quippy one liners. Samuel L J is as cool as can be (as usual!), and Robert C is a wonder to watch. The combo work well together. If you like action and black humour rent this.

      • Francis Houseman from Autumn Falls, England
      • Posted 29 Sep 2005 12:28

  • Most recent members' review of The 51st State

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  • 1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

    Rated - 1 star

    I would rate this film zero if i could! '-_-'

    Don’t bother this film is awful, all the swear words in the film can not describe how bad it is, I watched it to the end but wish I had not bothered. My idea of a good gangster ‘black comedy' is Snatch, Lock Stock, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown e.t.c. Trust me ignore the reviews which rate this film it’s a total waste of time.

      • A customer from UK
      • Posted 22 Oct 2005 12:52

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Rating breakdown

8,364 Member ratings
  • 100
781
  • 90
671
  • 80
1,299
  • 70
1,423
  • 60
1,671
  • 50
956
  • 40
682
  • 30
417
  • 20
320
  • 10
144

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      • Kilt-wearing master chemist Elmo McElroy (Samuel L. Jackson) has developed a new drug that is more potent then cocaine or Ecstasy. Best of all, none of the ingredients are illegal, meaning that this ...