Smokin' Aces

Reviewed by:
Pete Hammond

Smokin' Aces is one wild super-kinetic ride. It's Ocean's 11 meets Pulp Fiction and soooooo much more. Laughs, action, excitement, twists, attitude—you name it, this blissfully off-the-wall movie's got it all in spades. The basic storyline is familiar: An obnoxious Vegas comedian (Jeremy Piven) decides to squeal on the mob, but inadvertently makes himself a sitting duck for a series of hapless hit men (and women) when he suddenly turns up at a Lake Tahoe casino, creating some deep shit for the FBI agent (Ryan Reynolds) assigned to protect him. This level of mayhem allows writer/director Joe Carnahan (Narc) to populate the film with all kinds of low lifes and hookers (among others) who look like rejects from a Quentin Tarantino casting session. Tarantino clearly must have been the inspiration here, as Smokin' Aces has his trademarked combo of violence, outrageous comedy and in-your-face dialogue and doesn't even try to hide the similarities. The familiar landscape doesn't matter because what makes this stew really cook are the performances. So over the top and ballsy, the actors are the reason this thing is so watchable, looking like they must have had the time of their lives making this film. Particular standouts in addition to Reynolds and Piven (amping up his frenetic Entourage act) are Jason Bateman (hilarious), Ben Affleck, Common, Ray Liotta, Nestor Carbonell and even singer Alicia Keys, impressive in her film debut. It may not be terribly original, but for a hot time at the movies in a long, cold winter, Smokin' Aces holds a winning hand.

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