Over the course of his career, Guy Ritchie has crafted a wonderfully diverse resume. He started as an indie writer/director, making some of the best crime movies of the last quarter century. In the last decade, he has also proven himself quite adept at helming blockbusters, covering a wide variety of genres. Now, he’s set to return to his roots with the upcoming release of THE GENTLEMEN, and we couldn’t be more excited.
To help you prepare for the arrival of THE GENTLEMEN on January 24, we've put together this list of awesome Guy Ritchie movies you can revisit now through AMC Theatres On Demand.
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
Just prior to the start of the 21st century, Guy Ritchie proved himself as an exciting up-and-coming filmmaker with an absolutely fantastic directorial debut. LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS is a film straight out of the indie wave of the 1990s, and watching it now — with its wit, clever plotting and fantastic ensemble of characters — it’s easy to see why Ritchie became a director to watch. Added bonus: It’s Jason Statham’s first feature following his career as a diver and model.
Snatch
Guy Ritchie used the clout he earned from his first film to make an even bigger, wilder crime tale with an even more outstanding cast. In SNATCH, Brad Pitt is the big draw as a constantly mumbling vagrant/bare-knuckle boxer, but the film also affirmed that Jason Statham is the real deal as a lead actor. It’s an incredibly fun and well-made crime caper, one that you want to immediately rewatch once the end credits start to roll.
Sherlock Holmes
In 2009, Warner Bros. introduced Guy Ritchie to the franchise game, and he created a massive hit with SHERLOCK HOLMES, starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law as the titular doctor as his right-hand man, Watson. Released about a year and a half after the first IRON MAN, the movie has Downey Jr. in top form, and it strings together a fun mystery with a great villainous turn by Mark Strong. The action is also wonderful, featuring Ritchie’s familiar flair.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
Having brought to life his own version of the world’s greatest detective, Guy Ritchie turned his attention to the world of spy craft with THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E., a film adaptation of the classic television series of the same name. Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer make for an excellent duo in this underrated gem — along with Alicia Vikander giving a stunning pre-Oscar® turn — and Ritchie shows a clear love for period style.
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
After revisiting the mid-20th century with THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E., and the late 19th century with SHERLOCK HOLMES, Guy Ritchie then traveled all the way back to the 5th century to tell his own version of KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD. And while we’ve seen many different takes on this tale hit the silver screen over the years, this one is uniquely Ritchie’s, as it incorporated a particular modern edge and energy that helped it become a wild adventure.
Aladdin
Last year, Guy Ritchie joined the limited list of directors with a billion-dollar film on their resume, as Disney’s live-action remake of ALADDIN wound up being a massive hit in the early summer. Featuring the star power of Will Smith as the beloved and unpredictable genie, the movie is a loving recreation of an animated classic, replete with wonderful musical sequences and fantastic action.
Guy Ritchie's latest film, THE GENTLEMEN, arrives in theatres everywhere on January 24.
