Smokin' Aces
Let me start my review by
saying that this is a must see film. But in the sense that The Notebook
was a must see movie for my mom. Meaning? There are certain films that
appeal to certain people. Smokin' Aces is a must see for those who
love their violence over the top to the point of being comical.
Their characters to work
in vulgarities as if they have a master's degree in profanity. And their
assassins to be as witty and stylish as they are murderous. Any of these
elements on their own might be distracting and offensive. But when melted
together in a fast paced mobster movie with a slick script it is border
line genius.
Describing this film makes
me sound like the bystander on the 10 o'clock news. See there is this Las
Vegas entertainer, Buddy 'Aces' Israel (Jeremy
Piven) with mobster ties.
And these FBI guys (Andy Garcia, Ryan Reynolds, Ray Liotta) are trying
to protect him. But then all these other people want
him dead. And they have
guns and knives and gadgets and fire and chainsaws and funny accents. And
they are everywhere. I mean it is like world war
three and nobodies winning
or losing. Total mayhem. But it all ties up nicely in the end. Got it?
Seriously. This film is sort of Kill Bill meets Pulp Fiction meets
The Usual Suspect meets The Road Warrior. Words can not describe
the quirkiness of the characters and the pace of the dialogue. It would
be like smelling the Grand Canyon and then painting its sunsets.
The characters make this
film. Each set of assassins has their own quirks and personality. From
a two girl hit squad including singer Alicia Keys to a
trio of mad max maniacal
brothers led by a hilarious and original Chris Pine. Throw in some suave
professionals all converging on a hotel in Las
Vegas and what you have
is a slick, well directed flick. You can't take this movie seriously which
is what makes it so entertaining. They aren't trying
to sell you on anything.
Some of the moments are so comical and off the wall that you wonder if
they were meant solely for the blooper reel. But in a
film this dark you need
that to keep it from being sick and twisted. It now becomes sick, twisted
and incredibly clever.
Smokin' Aces is rated
R for strong bloody violence, pervasive language, some very brief nudity
and drug use. This film is too over the top for those
under 18. People may say
that kids today have seen a lot worse, but that doesn't mean they should.
I loved this movie but strongly caution those who
are easily offended. If
you try to take this film seriously or can't take the dialogue and violence
as a separate character in itself then you will hate this film. I give
it 4 out of 5 whacks for the Tremor Brothers alone. Just know before you
go. I'm Matt Mungle
The Mungle (01/24/07)
Matt is a member of the North
Texas Film Critics Association (NTFCA) and hosts the weekly syndicated
Indie Rock Radio Show Spin 180. Plus with his
wife Cindy they do a weekly
radio feature, The Mungles on Movies. For additional reviews and interview
clips visit the website www.mungleshow.com"
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