Smokin' Aces (2007)

neverending confusion
Smokin' Aces is basically a pretty-looking low budget film. The storyline is about as unorganized and confusing as it gets, because the entire first half of the film is nothing but one nonsense barely-understandable segment after another, while the second half is a small improvement with lots of violence, gun shootings and blood to bring the viewers back from their sleeping state.

Looking back however, it's just a failed attempt at an action movie that tries *so hard* to be entertaining, but the constant shifting around from one segment to another makes it almost impossible to enjoy on any level. Maybe it has some funny segments (such as the kung fu fighter striking near a guys face, and another segment involving a guy playing with a dead guys face) but overall, these funny segments just make it harder to take the action parts seriously, and it wasn't good enough of a movie overall to take seriously in the first place. Just don't even waste your time.

Smokin' Aces Rocks
Give this movie a try. The critics trashed it and it is much better than critics would have you believe. It is a violent, visceral old-school movie about a mob hit on a small-time Vegas hood. The group of killers trying to make the hit and collect the bounty is fascinating. Alicia Keys is mesmerising in a stand-out performance as a hitwoman. Jeremy Piven is terrific as the obnoxious "Aces" Israel who is the target of the hit. Great performances from Ray Liotta and Andy Garcia. The twist ending is very cool. Definitely recommended. Innovative cinematography, dark humor and on-target direction.

Five words - Alicia Keys in hooker boots
Oh, Tarantino, what have you wrought? Ever since [[ASIN:B000068DBC Pulp Fiction (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)]] crime cinema has never been quite the same. PULP FICTION was so clever and dynamic and just so plain cool that, of course, it was bound to garner imitators and pretenders, all striving for that same flavor. Some of these are even pretty nifty ([[ASIN:B00003CXS4 Snatch (Special Edition)]], [[ASIN:B0006GAO3G Get Shorty (Two-Disc Special Edition)]], [[ASIN:B000GGSMC6 Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (Locked 'N Loaded Director's Cut)]], etc.). And then there's a film like SMOKIN' ACES, which doesn't boast the same quality of nift.

For decades the FBI had been gradually whittling down the Mafia. This time the agency has a chance to take out a prominent capo. This, thanks to Vegas illusionist Buddy "Aces" Israel (Jeremy Piven, of ENTOURAGE), a key witness willing to roll over on his mob connections. But word of this can't help but get out, and, so, the vengeful mob ends up putting a million dollar contract on Aces (with the added caveat that Aces's heart be delivered as proof of the deed). Aces and his entourage are secretly holed up at a penthouse in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, a ritzy place which soon gets overrun by an assortment of contract killers, bounty hunters, and just plain scuzzbucket lowlifes. And, somewhere in this, a mysterious Swede fits into the puzzle. Trying desperately to stay on top of it all are two FBI agents (Ryan Reynolds and Ray Liotta). They end up not doing a good job.

Actually, I'm a bit torn with this one. On one hand SMOKIN' ACES is not that good of a movie. On the other hand, it's stylish and does exude a certain cool vibe. Plus, we get to see several lower-tiered movie stars riffing and taking it easy in this ensemble cast. Jeremy Piven is very good as Aces Israel, love him or hate him. I thought Aces, poor tortured soul that he is, was an overbearing jerk, but that's just proof in the pudding regarding Piven's performance, which might not be endearing but will draw a reaction from you. In a roster of ne'er-do-wells, there are only two people I rooted for: Ryan Reynold's FBI guy and Alicia Keys's sexy assassin. But, then again, I pretty much root for Reynolds in every film he's in, and SMOKIN' ACES is worth watching just for the chance to ogle Keys strolling around in hooker boots. There's also a brief but standout scene with Jason Bateman as a weird, drunk lawyer. The action sequences, once the film gets around to 'em, are wild and frenetic, with the suspense factor kicking in as, with these kinds of films, you never really know who's gonna make it out alive. So, these are the movie's good points.

I did say that SMOKIN' ACES exudes style and a cool vibe. But the thing is, sooner or later (and probably sooner), it'll hit the viewer that there's not much substance beneath the splash and glitter. Turns out, it really is all just smoke and mirrors. One wonders how much more effective SMOKIN' ACES would've been if done as a short film. As it is, it feels too drawn out. Much of the film is plodding in pace as it focuses on introducing and then tracking the preparations and movements of the various degenerates out to collect the murder sweepstakes. In the final half hour or so, all the players finally converge and clash in a series of amped-up firefights. And, yup, the ensuing bloodbaths and gunplays are worth watching. But the film is then even further sabotaged by the weak resolution. And the characters I was rooting for...well, they could've done more. Instead the end credits elicit an empty "Is that it?" sensation. I really hate that sensation.

More negatives? As in PULP FICTION there are moments here when the characters indulge in seemingly throwaway, off-the-cuff dialogue. Only here it isn't as well done, not as memorable or catchy. I could almost feel the beads of trying-too-hard sweating off the screen. There's a twist near the end of the flick which isn't as clever or as slick as the writer seems to think it is. For a "gotcha" moment, all it did was make me shrug. Another quibble has to do with Alicia Keys. I'm glad she tried her hand at acting and she's definitely got "it." She plays a contract killer here, and I wish she'd gone into action more. In particular I wish she'd taken on the crazy Tremor brothers (her pointing a gun at the head neo-Nazi doesn't count). Her character is one instance where the actuality doesn't live up to the hype. And, finally, I really, really hated that annoying kid with the boner.

A bit torn on this one and flippin' a coin. In the end, I say there's enough curious bits in SMOKIN' ACES to make it worth watching once, despite its flaws. There are some redeeming stuff here, as with the performances of Piven, Alicia Keys, Ryan Reynolds, and Jason Bateman. Also, I got a kick out of Andy Garcia's Southern boy Foghorn Leghorn accent. And for some reason I couldn't stop giggling when Ben Affleck's bail bondsman toppled over.