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Mean Machine

Play trailer Poster for Mean Machine R Released Feb 22, 2002 1h 38m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
33% Tomatometer 55 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
In a rough-and-tumble British prison, where murderers, thieves and assorted madmen are locked away, inmate Danny Meehan (Vinnie Jones) is about to lead them all in the ultimate battle of their degenerate lives -- but no one could have guessed it would be a soccer match! Now, in an all-out playoff against the despised guards, the prisoners' goal isn't just to make goals; it's to prove the indomitable nature of the spirit, no matter how much it gets kicked, bloodied or knocked around.
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Mean Machine

Mean Machine

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Critics Consensus

Despite some genuine wit, this crowd pleaser is filled with too many cliches.

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Critics Reviews

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Empire Magazine Rated: 3/5 Dec 30, 2006 Full Review Robert K. Elder Chicago Tribune Holds its ground as a mid-budget Hollywood knockoff. Rated: 2.5/4 Jul 20, 2002 Full Review Steven Rea Philadelphia Inquirer A likably energetic star vehicle for English sports god Vinnie Jones. Rated: 3.5/4 Mar 14, 2002 Full Review Apollo Guide Rated: 65/100 May 13, 2005 Full Review Brian Walker ViewLondon Rated: 1/5 May 10, 2005 Full Review Harry Guerin RTÉ (Ireland) By the final whistle you're convinced that this Mean Machine was a decent TV outing that just doesn't have big screen magic. Rated: 2/5 Mar 26, 2003 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Bahad j The costumes of the actors seemed to be very real, as if they were in their roles. The dress is really beautiful. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/06/24 Full Review Geke g Fantastic and astonishing Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/05/24 Full Review jordan m The comedy was better here than it had been in the '74 original, but I can't honestly say I enjoyed it more as soccer is just not a particularly interesting sport. They did a good job of showing that it can be more violent than it generally is but the entire notion of not using one's hands puts the sport in the same boat as boxing for me, where the severe limitations reduce its strength as a metaphor for war, which is the goal of all sports. Statham's character was more interesting than Vinnie's and they added a gambling aspect that improved the plot quite a bit for me as it gave the warden a reason to try and ruin a man's life over a game. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the most enjoyable movies ever! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/24/23 Full Review Audience Member This film is okay but a bit silly in parts especially jason Statham Scottish accent and he's meant to not be out of his cage for workout but gets to play a goal keeper in this movie okay them and the cook who is inside for making bombs who spits everywhere when he shouts I think he should have been put somewhere else Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member A highly amusing entertaining film . One of jones better films . Worth a watch Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Mean Machine

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Cast & Crew

Mean Machine

Mean Machine: Official Clip - Monk to Save the Day Mean Machine: Official Clip - Monk to Save the Day 2:11 Mean Machine: Official Clip - Solitary Confinement Mean Machine: Official Clip - Solitary Confinement 1:56 Mean Machine: Official Clip - Danny's Story Mean Machine: Official Clip - Danny's Story 2:13 Mean Machine: Official Clip - Goal!!! Mean Machine: Official Clip - Goal!!! 1:57 Mean Machine: Official Clip - Try-Outs Mean Machine: Official Clip - Try-Outs 1:57 Mean Machine: Official Clip - The Game Winner Mean Machine: Official Clip - The Game Winner 2:13 Mean Machine: Official Clip - It's Showtime! Mean Machine: Official Clip - It's Showtime! 2:08 Mean Machine: Official Clip - Lightning Can Strike Twice Mean Machine: Official Clip - Lightning Can Strike Twice 1:54 Mean Machine: Official Clip - Doc's Story Mean Machine: Official Clip - Doc's Story 1:55 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis In a rough-and-tumble British prison, where murderers, thieves and assorted madmen are locked away, inmate Danny Meehan (Vinnie Jones) is about to lead them all in the ultimate battle of their degenerate lives -- but no one could have guessed it would be a soccer match! Now, in an all-out playoff against the despised guards, the prisoners' goal isn't just to make goals; it's to prove the indomitable nature of the spirit, no matter how much it gets kicked, bloodied or knocked around.
Director
Barry Skolnick
Producer
Matthew Vaughn
Screenwriter
Andy Day, Chris Baker
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Paramount Pictures
Rating
R (Some Violence|Language)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 22, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 13, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$92.7K
Runtime
1h 38m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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