Review of Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball (2010) by Josh M — 17 Feb 2010

I liked the original Smokin' Aces for what it was, a simple but entertaining-as-hell balls-to-the-walls let's-shoot-everybody all action extravaganza. Naturally I couldn't resist the sequel, however straight-to-dvd it was.

I don't like these new generation (TV) directors. They simply try too much to be cool, and it almost always backfires. There is a limit to everything, and with irritating camera tricks the limit is reached pretty quick for me. The action scenes were poorly shot, but as a whole I have seen much worse attempts. Pretty usual stuff from one of these guys.

The first movie is clearly better (duh!), but this one has its moments too. I like the introduction of the assassins part, as well as some of the dialogue between them. What I did not like, however, were the Tremors. They poked my retinas like a sore thumb (excuse the mixed metaphor) and were clearly added only because the family was so popular after the first movie. They were funny then, now they just pissed me the fuck off.

I also didn't like the stupid-ass agents. How the hell would those jackasses be able to protect anyone. They clearly were there just for fodder. I mean, why the fuck would they not just stay in the bunker!? That's why it's for! CGI explosions also represent the laziest kind of film making to me and I will always hate them. Along with computer generated blood, but that's a given.

I enjoyed many parts of the movie, but it is clearly inferior to the first one in every way. The ending is pretty lame as well, and I wish they'd stop using the Keyser Söze angle in movies, the cripple is now always the first one I suspect! Although I did dig the twist to that scenario in this one.

If you are looking for a brainless action romp, you could do worse than this movie, but if you like more cerebral stuff, look elsewhere.