Today’s quick review: Smokin’ Aces. When the last Mafia boss in America puts a $1 million bounty on Buddy “Aces” Israel (Jeremy Piven), a mobster turned FBI informant, assassins from all around the world converge on Lake Tahoe, where Buddy is holed up. It’s up to FBI agents Richard Messner (Ryan Reynolds) and Donald Carruthers (Ray Liotta) to get Buddy safely into custody before the situation turns into a bloodbath.
Smokin’ Aces is a crime comedy with a hefty dose of gory action. The movie sets up an elaborate battle royale between half a dozen separate parties, all of whom need to get to Buddy before the others. The assassins include a trio of bloodthirsty rednecks, a ruthless mercenary, a master of disguise, and a pair of well-armed women. Also thrown into the mix are a duo of FBI agents and a trio of bounty hunters looking to take Buddy in for skipping bail.
The large cast lets Smokin’ Aces set up complicated standoffs and indulge in a high body count. The tone is stylized and over-the-top, with a few moments of drama when the violence comes to a head. The movie has an ensemble cast that includes Ryan Reynolds, Ray Liotta, Andy Garcia, Ben Affleck, Alicia Keys, Jeremy Piven, Common, Chris Pine, and Jason Bateman in parts major and minor.
Watch Smokin’ Aces when you are in the mood for a chaotic action movie with a dark sense of humor and a few stylish touches. The plot has one or two good twists, while the action is gory, destructive, and plentiful. Skip it if you are adverse to senseless violence or you are looking for a cerebral plot.
6.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for schlocky action and a good cast.