Mean Machine is an English adaptation of Robert Aldrich’s 1974 film, The Longest Yard, starring Burt Reynolds. Swapping American football for soccer, director Barry Skolnick, along with his group of British actors, seems to be targeting a specific audience: fans of the sport primarily located in the United Kingdom. It's quite a distance from matching the quality of Aldrich’s original film, but Mean Machine does have enough merit to make it an enjoyable experience beyond the well-executed soccer match that occupies the final third. Considering the movie’s generally poor reputation, however, it seems unlikely many others will share my opinion. The odds are about as slim as Accrington Stanley winning the English Premiere League. The issues appear to stem from the initial hour; combining violence and humor doesn't always pay off, and that’s a problem with Skolnick’s inexperienced direction. Stuck between depicting harsh British prison life and outright comedy, it’s an awkward combination he struggles to manage effectively. With Guy Ritchie credited as “supervising producer,” one can’t help but wonder if he would have done considerably more with the same material. But as I see it, there's enough here for those who appreciate a mix of action and humor. Led by the likable Jones, the cast, aside from David Hemmings feeling out of place in his role as the Governor, do their best to entertain the audience. Those who dislike Danny Dyer will find amusement in seeing his character, Billy Limpet, get roughed up, while Jason Statham is a highlight as Monk, a Scottish inmate even feared by other Scots. Jamie Sives, Vas Blackwood, and Omid Djalili also deliver memorable performances. It’s not destined to become one of the best British films—or sports movies in general—but despite its predictable structure and reliance on the original film it's based on, it is genuinely funny at times, and if you enjoy soccer, the actual match is worth waiting for. 7/10 Note: The Longest Yard/Mean Machine was reimagined again in 2005 with Adam Sandler in the role of the disgraced lead. This demonstrates either an irresistible formula or a belief that its potential hasn’t been fully realized yet.

Source on TMDB