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Mean Machine
2001 99 min United Kingdom R 16+
★6.0
Comedy, Drama
Director: Barry Skolnick
Trailers
Description
Disgraced ex-England football captain, Danny 'Mean Machine' Meehan, is thrown in jail for assaulting two police officers. He keeps his head down and has the opportunity to forget everything and change the lives of the prisoners. When these prisoners have the chance to put one over the evil guards during a prison football match, Danny takes the lead.
Budget:
$2.75M
US Gross:
$92,770
Worldwide:
$7.31M
Starring
Vinnie Jones
Actor
David Kelly
Actor
David Hemmings
Actor
Key opinion
Mean Machine is widely regarded by fans as an entertaining and charismatic British sports comedy, anchored by a strong ensemble cast. While some critics feel it struggles to balance its tone or improve upon its source material, many viewers praise its humor, soundtrack, and the compelling performances of Vinnie Jones and Jason Statham.
| Acting | Vinnie Jones provides a grounded, convincing lead performance that benefits from his real-life background as a professional footballer. | |
| Acting | Jason Statham delivers an exceptionally charismatic and memorable supporting performance as the erratic and unpredictable 'Monk'. | |
| Score | The film features a standout, high-energy soundtrack that elevates the viewing experience. | |
| Humor | The humor is praised by many as sharp and uniquely British, though some viewers find the film's reliance on familiar sports tropes and its predictability to be a weakness. | |
| Pacing | The final football match is a divisive climax, viewed by some as an exhilarating and gripping sports set-piece, while others criticize it as poorly executed or insulting to the sport. | |
| Direction | The direction receives mixed reactions, with some praising the film’s atmosphere and editing, while others argue it struggles to balance violence with comedy. |