Watch Formula 51

Formula 51 is a 2001 action-comedy movie directed by Ronny Yu and starring Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Carlyle, and Emily Mortimer. The film follows chemical whiz Elmo McElroy (played by Jackson) as he travels to Liverpool, England to sell a formula for a revolutionary new drug to a group of gangsters. The movie opens with Elmo McElroy in a jail cell, narrating his plan for his new drug formula to the audience. A former employee of a pharmaceutical company, Elmo developed a drug that he claims will be more addictive than heroin, yet has no negative side effects. After breaking out of jail, Elmo travels to Liverpool to find a buyer for his formula, but realizes that he is caught between rival gangs led by The Lizard (played by Meat Loaf) and The Duke (played by Carlyle).

Elmo finds himself partnered with a low-level criminal named Felix DeSouza (played by Mortimer), who helps him navigate the intricate underworld of Liverpool. Together, the two try to keep their formula out of the hands of the drug lords while also trying to come up with a plan to sell it to the highest bidder.

The film is heavily influenced by classic 90s action movies, featuring fast-paced action and car chases that are reminiscent of films like The Matrix and Point Break. Samuel L. Jackson is as always a powerhouse performance as Elmo McElroy, bringing his signature cool and confident style to the role. Robert Carlyle's character, The Duke, is also outstanding, playing a ruthless crime boss that doesn't hesitate to do whatever it takes to get what he wants.

The chemistry between Jackson and Mortimer is a highlight of the movie, with the two actors having great comedic timing and a fun dynamic. Mortimer's Felix is a great foil to Jackson's Elmo, often acting as the voice of reason to his more impulsive tendencies.

The film also features a great supporting cast, including Meat Loaf as The Lizard, a rival drug lord who has a personal vendetta against The Duke, and Rhys Ifans as Iki, a drug-addicted chemist who works for The Duke.

Director Ronny Yu keeps the action moving at a fast pace while also injecting the movie with plenty of humor. The dialogue is snappy and the movie often plays with classic genre tropes, making it a fun and enjoyable ride from start to finish.

One aspect of the film that may be off-putting to some viewers is its heavy reliance on British slang and imagery. Many of the jokes and references will likely only be understood by British audiences, which can make the movie feel alienating to those unfamiliar with its cultural references.

Overall, Formula 51 is a fun and entertaining action-comedy that showcases the talents of its impressive cast. With its thrilling action sequences and great comedic moments, it's a movie that's sure to keep audiences entertained.

Formula 51 is a 2002 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 23.