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Formula 51

Original title: The 51st State
  • 20012001
  • RR
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
50K
YOUR RATING
Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Carlyle in Formula 51 (2001)
Theatrical Trailer from Columbia Tristar
Play trailer2:09
4 Videos
43 Photos
ActionComedyCrime
An American master chemist plans to score big on a once in a lifetime drug deal. All does not go as planned and he is soon entangled in a web of deceit.An American master chemist plans to score big on a once in a lifetime drug deal. All does not go as planned and he is soon entangled in a web of deceit.An American master chemist plans to score big on a once in a lifetime drug deal. All does not go as planned and he is soon entangled in a web of deceit.
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
50K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Ronny Yu
  • Writer
    • Stel Pavlou
  • Stars
    • Samuel L. Jackson
    • Robert Carlyle
    • Emily Mortimer
  • Director
    • Ronny Yu
  • Writer
    • Stel Pavlou
  • Stars
    • Samuel L. Jackson
    • Robert Carlyle
    • Emily Mortimer
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 167User reviews
    • 85Critic reviews
    • 23Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Videos4

    Formula 51
    Trailer 2:09
    Watch Formula 51
    Formula 51 Scenes: Scenes
    Clip 0:36
    Watch Formula 51 Scenes: Scenes
    Formula 51: B-Roll
    Featurette 4:23
    Watch Formula 51: B-Roll
    Formula 51: Featurette
    Featurette 6:56
    Watch Formula 51: Featurette

    Photos43

    Samuel L. Jackson in Formula 51 (2001)
    Samuel L. Jackson in Formula 51 (2001)
    Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Carlyle in Formula 51 (2001)
    Samuel L. Jackson and Emily Mortimer in Formula 51 (2001)
    Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Carlyle in Formula 51 (2001)
    Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Carlyle in Formula 51 (2001)
    Samuel L. Jackson in Formula 51 (2001)
    Emily Mortimer in Formula 51 (2001)
    Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Carlyle in Formula 51 (2001)
    Samuel L. Jackson in Formula 51 (2001)
    Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Carlyle in Formula 51 (2001)
    Rhys Ifans in Formula 51 (2001)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Samuel L. Jackson
    Samuel L. Jackson
    • Elmo McElroy
    Robert Carlyle
    Robert Carlyle
    • Felix DeSouza
    Emily Mortimer
    Emily Mortimer
    • Dakota Parker
    Nigel Whitmey
    Nigel Whitmey
    • L.A. Highway Patrol
    Robert Jezek
    • Priest
    Meat Loaf
    Meat Loaf
    • The Lizard
    Jake Abraham
    • Konokko
    Mac McDonald
    Mac McDonald
    • Mr. Davidson
    Aaron Swartz
    • Mr. Yuri
    David Webber
    • Mr. Jones
    Michael J. Reynolds
    Michael J. Reynolds
    • Mr. Escobar
    Sonny Muslim
    • Boy in Plane
    Barbara Barnes
    • Boy's Mother
    Junix Inocian
    Junix Inocian
    • Mr. Ho-Fat
    Paul Barber
    Paul Barber
    • Frederick
    Christopher Hunter
    Christopher Hunter
    • Lawrence
    Stephen Walters
    Stephen Walters
    • Blowfish
    James Roach
    • Grimtooth
    • Director
      • Ronny Yu
    • Writer
      • Stel Pavlou
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Samuel L. Jackson Through the Years

    Samuel L. Jackson Through the Years

    Take a look back at Samuel L. Jackson's movie career in photos.
    See more Samuel
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Writer Stel Pavlou was working as an assistant in a liquor store when he penned his screenplay. It was sent, on speculation, to Tim Roth, as Pavlou knew that Roth insisted on reading all independent scripts sent his way.
    • Goofs
      When Dakota and Felix are fooling around in the bath-tub, they throw their underpants onto the floor. Yet Felix still is wearing white underpants, visible for some seconds when he's turning around in the tub.
    • Quotes

      Elmo: You're gonna kiss the sun and taste the motherfuckin' rainbow.

    • Crazy credits
      Shortly after the credits start there is a short segment with Elmo on the Golf Course outside the castle on the post card
    • Connections
      Featured in HBO First Look: Formula 51 (2002)
    • Soundtracks
      Them Changes
      Written by Buddy Miles (as Miles)

      Published by Miles Ahead Music c/o Rondor Music (Ldn) Ltd.

      Performed by Buddy Miles

      Courtesy of Mercury Records Ltd. (London)

      Licensed by kind permission from the Film & TV Licensing Division, Part of the Universal Music Group

    User reviews167

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Don't believe the (bad) hype!
    Yes it's Liverpool, yes it's a well used theme and yes, Sam wears a kilt!!! Those last words should have you booking your tickets, but if that's not enough then read on. We start our ride in the States with a freshly graduated Elmo McElroy driving along the coast, sparking up a joint as the sun sets in the background and life is looking good. That is all changed by the wail of a cop car, and the subsequent booking of the young Elmo. Life has just got an awful lot more complicated. Before you know it you're in the middle of a big drugs deal that blows up in everyone's face, and our Elmo is on his way to merry ol' England with the next wonder drug in a sweet packet, being followed by an assassin who is fascinated by whether or not there is underwear beneath that kilt. Now you need to hang on tight as we meet a yankie hating, football loving henchman (Robert Carlyle), an inflatable ring using boss (Ricky Tomlinson), a yoga enthusiast night club owner (Rhys Iffans), the most inept, bent police officer (Sean Pertwee) and everyone in between. Car chases the likes have not been seen since the Italian Job and The Blues Brothers, guns, drugs and a pounding sound track all conspire to detract from the core i.e the script. But they cannot as gags, one liners and even entire conversations, will have you doubled over with laughter. And not just in the cinema, as this will probably be one of the most quoted films down the pub or at work this year without a doubt. Yes there is swearing and yes it's not the most intellectually stimulating films made, but it never tried to be. What it tried to be was an all out action comedy Hollywood style with British wit and sarcasm driving it. The performances are second to none and the direction and editing will leave you blinking. The pace builds relentlessly and before you can fidget, the credits are rolling and you are on your way out the door!!

    Don't believe the bad press, this is one hell of a film, with one hell of a cast and written by one hell of a British writer...GO AND SEE FOR YOURSELF!!
    helpful•8
    4
    • jsprules
    • Dec 10, 2001

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 18, 2002 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Canada
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The 51st State
    • Filming locations
      • Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Alliance Atlantis Communications
      • Focus Films
      • Fifty First Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $27,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $5,204,007
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,817,719
      • Oct 20, 2002
    • Gross worldwide
      • $12,881,605
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
      • DTS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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