X
  • 2002
  • R
  • Screen Gems
  • 1 h 33 m
  • 2002
  • R
  • Screen Gems
  • 1 h 33 m

Summary Elmo McElroy (Jackson) is an American master chemist who heads to England to set up his last big deal, the introduction of a new designer drug to the European underworld. When he hooks up with a Liverpool local (Carlyle), his plans quickly go awry in this action-packed comedy.

Directed By: Ronny Yu

Written By: Stel Pavlou

  • 2002
  • R
  • Screen Gems
  • 1 h 33 m
  • 2002
  • R
  • Screen Gems
  • 1 h 33 m

Formula 51

Metascore Generally Unfavorable Based on 29 Critic Reviews
23
User Score Overwhelming Dislike Based on 54 User Ratings
1.3
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary Elmo McElroy (Jackson) is an American master chemist who heads to England to set up his last big deal, the introduction of a new designer drug to the European underworld. When he hooks up with a Liverpool local (Carlyle), his plans quickly go awry in this action-packed comedy.

Directed By: Ronny Yu

Written By: Stel Pavlou

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Unfavorable Based on 29 Critic Reviews
23
14% Positive
4 Reviews
17% Mixed
5 Reviews
69% Negative
20 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Unfavorable Based on 29 Critic Reviews
23
14% Positive
4 Reviews
17% Mixed
5 Reviews
69% Negative
20 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
75
It is possible, however improbable, that a "bad" movie can still be highly enjoyable. Formula 51 is such a film.
By James Berardinelli FULL REVIEW
50
A messy fish-out-of-water gangland romp.
By Steven Rea FULL REVIEW
38
Passed as slowly as if I'd been sitting naked on an igloo, Formula 51 sank from quirky to jerky to utter turkey.
By Lawrence Toppman FULL REVIEW
30
Emily Mortimer and Robert Carlyle generate heat as criminal lovers, but most of the cast just engages in embarrassing scenery-gnawing.
FULL REVIEW
25
It isn't simple bad taste that Formula 51 deals in, but a total vacuum of feeling.
By Edward Guthmann FULL REVIEW
11
A muddled mess of bad-lad clichés, and Jackson's obvious talents only serve to point out how godawful everyone else seems to be.
By Marc Savlov FULL REVIEW
0
An execrable mess that leaves no genre cliché unturned or human body or soul untrammeled.
By Manohla Dargis FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Overwhelming Dislike Based on 54 User Ratings
1.3
11% Positive
6 Ratings
6% Mixed
3 Ratings
83% Negative
45 Ratings

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Overwhelming Dislike Based on 54 User Ratings
1.3
11% Positive
6 Ratings
6% Mixed
3 Ratings
83% Negative
45 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company Alliance Atlantis Communications, Focus Films, Fifty First Films, National Lottery, Artists Production Group (APG), Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit (CPTC), UK Film Council, The Film Consortium
Release Date Oct 18, 2002
Duration 1 h 33 m
Rating R
Genres
Tagline Nice Wheels. Dirty Deals. And One Mean Mother In A Kilt.
Website https://mt2.org/uyeler/formula-51.14025/
View All Details

Awards

Directors Guild of Canada
• 1 Nomination

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