This Means War (2012)

2 CIA agents who are best friends as well (FDR and Tuck) , accidentally start dating the same woman (Lauren) and both of them get serious with her. They set certain ground rules at first but it becomes a big battle of one upmanship with each agent trying to outsmart the other with constant surveillance on one another. Their friendship becomes strained as expected with the quest to get the woman starting to get more importance. The woman doesn't know that these two know each other until the very end. Finally, one man has to lose and it becomes a win-win for both. Tuck reunites with his separated wife and kid, while FDR gets Lauren.

There is also a subplot with the 2 agents trying to eliminate an international criminal by the name Heinrich. In the end they succeed at this as well.

The main reason why this movie is watchable is thanks to the 2 heroes. Chris Pine is a handsome charmer while Tom Hardy is good at serious faced humor. Their pranks and constant one-upmanship battles are enjoyable. The heroine doesn't look as ravishing for 2 handsome guys to fall crazily for her. We also have a friend who gives dirty advise to Lauren.

The movie provides some laughs and time-pass fun but, it is nothing special and becomes silly at times too. And why the hell was the movie given this title. It suggests a serious action movie which this isn't by any means.

VERDICT: Strict one-time watch for some time-pass fun. 

RocknRolla (2008)

Set in London with a bunch of crooked guys ruling the roost. We have Lenny Cole, the man who calls himself the boss of London. He has the judges, the councilors etc in his pocket. Archy is his right hand man and makes sure things are going fine.

Then, we have The Wild Bunch - One Two, Mumbles and Bob, a bunch of small timers waiting for any chance to make money. There is also a Russian who deals with Lenny to enter the real estate scene in London. His accountant Stella is in the mood to make money and she takes the services of The Wild Bunch. They steal 7 million euros meant for Lenny and give a small share to Stella.

The Russian's favorite painting which was given to Lenny also goes missing. Finally, we have Johnny Quid - the rocknrolla who goes missing often to boost his music sales and is proclaimed dead many times. He is Lenny's step son and the painting is actually with him. His managers are instructed to find him.

There are more small characters and everything goes seamlessly and Archy takes control towards the end after knowing the truth behind Lenny. Archy, Johnny and The Wild Bunch survive and are supposed to be back in a sequel. I am waiting!!!

Review

• Typical Guy Ritchie style. Engaging, complex, light hearted and never a dull moment. 
• All the actors have a small part in the bigger scheme of things. They are all competent actors. Mark Strong, Gerald Butler, Tom Hardy, Toby Kebbell, Tom Wilkinson, Thandie Newton (sexy and seductive) etc. lead the huge ensemble cast. 
• The lighthearted banter that One Two and Bob have over the fact that Bob is gay, Johnny's drug trips and philosophies, Archy's narration, Lenny's modus-operandi, Stella's scheming ways, the Russian bodyguards who constantly chase The Wild Bunch during their 2nd steal etc etc. Engaging stuff. 
• The theme music is terrific. A real rage. The title credits are addictive just for this music and the title graphics.

VERDICT

Another Guy Ritchie classic in typical style

Warrior (2011)

A movie that talks about Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in the backdrop of 2 brothers, their father and the troubled relationship that exists between them.

Paddy Conlon has 2 sons Brendan, the elder one and Tommy. Paddy was a drunkard and he ignored his wife and his 2 sons when they needed him the most. The 2 sons are still pissed off with him. The brothers themselves have their arguments because Tommy was the one who stuck on with his mother while Brendan settled in life with his lover Tess.

Tommy becomes a war hero and a celebrated marine while Brendan becomes a physics teacher. Both of them are circumstantially lured into the ultimate MMA tournament called Sparta with a 5 million $ winner-takes-all purse. While Tommy does it for his fellow marine's widow, Brendan does it to save his home and family.

Tommy is trained by his dad while Brendan is trained by Frank Campana, one of the best in the business. The brothers expectedly reach the final through contrasting victories and what follows is an intense and emotional fight between the 2 brothers. While one of them obviously loses, their family ties become stronger at the end of the bout.

Hits

• Terrific performances by Tom Hardy (as the brooding, eccentric fighter who beats others to pulp/ as the troubled son and younger brother), Joel Edgerton (as the matured family man/ physics teacher/ elder brother/ underdog fighter who withstands all the beating he gets), Nick Nolte (as the repenting father) and Jennifer Morrison (as the concerned wife)
• The action scenes are awesome. The contrast in Tommy and Brendan's styles adds to the effect. 

VERDICT

One of the best 'fighting' movies with intense family emotions running through.