REVIEW: Soundtrack, Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (Maverick)
- Chris Hill
If anything, a soundtrack pulling tracks nearly three decades old deserves credit in my book for not being an obvious label ploy. Will someone rush out and buy a James Brown box set because of the two songs on this disc? Perhaps, but probably not. The eclectic array of artists obviously come from a love for the music contained within the soundtrack. (Perhaps they could also come from intentional posturing for musical credibility, but that seems highly doubtful.)
Feeling like a Nick Hornby mix tape, the soundtrack ranges from classic (James Brown's "The Payback" and "The Boss," Dusty Springfield's "Spooky") to modern (E-Z Rollers' "Walk This Land," Evil Superstars' "Oh Girl"), from punk (The Stooges' "I Wanna Be Your Dog") to pop/rock (Ocean Colour Scene's "Hundred Mile High City"), from reggae (Junior Murvin's signature song, "Police and Thieves") to crooning doo-wop (Pete Wingfield's "18 With a Bullet") to funk (Stretch's "Why Did You Do It"). Oh, and the theme to "Zorba the Greek."
Given titles and attribution, snippets of dialogue are sprinkled liberally between songs (11 songs, 7 sound bites). See the movie first, then grin in recollection as Soap gives his sage "guns for show, knives for a pro" philosophy, or as Plank wearily pleads, "I can't fuckin' believe this! Could everyone STOP gettin' shot?!" The names and scenes may fade with time, but these bits bring instant memory refreshment.
Will they keep the O. Henry ending when the Tom Cruise version arrives? Will that movie's soundtrack feature the same splendid mix of time and genre-scattered artists, or will it feature three top artists and eight third tier bands? Go see the original now, while it's fresh, if only to increase your dread and anticipation of the Hollywood version.
As a reminder of the movie's British wit and sly humor, wait for the end of the soundtrack -- it ends on the same clever note. You'll count your cash for a second viewing.
Similarly amusing, those visiting the movie site at http://www.lockstock2barrels.com/ without the Macromedia Flash plug-in are greeted by apish thug, Barry, telling you to piss off. Somehow, it's quite endearing.
