Writer/director Joe Carnahan’s Smokin’ Aces is a rollercoaster ride of a film filled with unusual characters, over-the-top violence, and a story that even manages a twist or two by the ending. It is a movie that most will either love or hate. Personally, I fell somewhere in the middle. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t absolutely hate it.
The film continues Carnahan’s crime roots (he also wrote and directed 2002’s Narc), but trades in some of the gritty reality of his past films for a “comic book/video game” feel. The story has the familiar urban crime elements (the mob puts out a contract for a mob informant), but the characters (from a gang of Nazis to a hitman who chewed off his own fingertips) that go after the reward are just too whacked out to be taken seriously. While this gives the film a great escapism quality, fans of Carnahan’s past work might be a bit disappointed.
Carnahan’s Smokin’ Aces features an ensemble cast of actors including singer Alicia Keys (in her feature film debut), Ben Affleck (Hollywoodland), Ryan Reynolds (Blade: Trinity), Andy Garcia (Ocean’s Twelve), Jeremy Piven (“Entourage”), Ray Liotta (Narc), Jason Bateman (The Kingdom), Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights), Taraji Henson (Hustle and Flow), Chris Pine (Just My Luck), Martin Henderson (The Ring II), and hip-hop singer Common (also making his first big-screen appearance). The film also manages to achieve a unique look thanks to the work of director of photography Mauro Fiore (Training Day), and some great shootouts thanks to stunt coordinator Ben Bray and his team. Many times in film reviews the stunt work is overlooked, but with the huge amount of firefights in Smokin’ Aces (which take up most of the last part of the film) Bray and company deserve a special mention.
Even with a couple of twists towards the end, the plot for Smokin’ Aces is pretty straight forward. Mob boss Primo Sparazza has taken out a hefty contract on Buddy “Aces” Israel (Piven). Israel (who has shades of Frank Sinatra) is a Vegas magician with dreams of being a gangster that start to come true through his illegal activities. However, things start to go sour and Israel is forced to turn state’s evidence against the Vegas mob.
The FBI has decided Israel is their best chance to shut down Sparazza, and puts him into protective custody-under the supervision of two agents (Reynolds and Liotta). While the final arrangements are being made, Israel is locked up at a Lake Tahoe resort. What he doesn’t know is that the mob has put a contract out on him that has drawn the attention of bounty hunters, thugs-for-hire, smokin’ hot assassins and double-crossing mobsters.
The film builds like a drug-fueled powder keg as the FBI and the assassins hit the resort at the same time resulting in one massive gunfight. There is also a twist ending that not everyone will see coming, and gives the film’s plot a bit of a boost.
What Smokin’ Aces lacks is any stand out performance from the ensemble cast. Everyone does a solid job in the film, but no one provides the movie with a boost to help it shine among the other similar crime films being produced by Hollywood – such as Crank. There are not really any outstanding performances from any of the actors and no characters that really are more set apart from the rest – even though Carnahan describes the film as a character piece.
Liotta and Reynolds do a good job in the film, but both just seem to be playing characters from other movies. While Liotta was a force to be reckoned with in Narc, the actor seems to be merely along for the ride and doing a favor to the director in this film. Reynolds (who saved Blade Trinity) seems to be settling into his wise-cracking character. He does manage to pull out a bit of acting with the film’s theatrical ending – which I thought helped save the film from some of its faults.
The same can be said for Jeremy Piven – who just pretty much seems stoned out of his head for most the movie. He is supposed to be playing a “big shot” Vegas act, but I just kept seeing a pathetic version of the character he brought to life in HBO’s “Entourage.” Alicia Keys also delivers a good performance for her first film. The singer might surprise some people with her cold assassin character. I don’t think her performance will be enough to redeem the film for audience members who hate it, but I was surprised by her talent as an actress.
The film’s problem is that it is just a bit too chaotic for its own good. There is a plot, and Carnahan has some idea of what he wants to do from start to finish. However, the rollercoaster sometimes starts to come off the tracks (such as whenever the Nazi characters were on screen), and might be too far gone by the time the ending arrives. I liked the film, and think it is one that will continue to grow on me with multiple viewings. At the same time, it didn’t grab my attention the way Narc did, and there were several points in the movie I thought about just turning it off. The ending did manage to redeem the film for me, but I am sure there are many who won’t make it that far.
The DVD comes with some decent special features including some deleted scenes that help the story a bit more (and give Reynolds more screen time) and an alternate ending that Carnahan describes as the film’s “Cowboy Ending.” The alternate ending is the actual ending that Carnahan wrote for the film, but changed after the studio didn’t care for how it tested. Personally, I liked the theatrical ending better. I thought it gave the film a more stylized look and showed off Reynolds’ acting ability a bit more.
Other features include “Shoot ‘em Up: Stunts and Effects” which takes a look at how the filmmakers achieved the huge gunfights and the stuntwork in the film; “The Line Up” which takes a look at the film’s rogue gallery; and “The Big Gun” which is a look at Carnahan. The DVD also features commentary from Carnahan, editor Robert Farazen, Common, Christopher Holley and Zach Cumer.
While I didn’t enjoy Smokin’ Aces as much as Narc, I did like the film by the ending. It is filled with over-the-top violence, but also manages to throw in an interesting plot. I don’t think it will entertain everyone, but I would recommend it if you enjoy the crime genre or lots of action.
Smokin’ Aces is now available for pre-order at Amazon . It is available for pre-order at AmazonUK for a May 14th release. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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