Review of Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball (2010) by Joel T — 29 Jan 2010

This prequel to the cult smash is a very good prequel but fails to match the originals frenetic energy. The problem with sequels or prequels to big films that are going to straight to dvd have one problem they dont have much money so usually the qualities sacrificed but with this film the filmmakers did a good job of trying not to show they didnt have much money.

The story is pretty interesting and has many nods to the first one laid through out which was cool and while I had guessed the main twist there was a twist that I didnt get which was real nice. The acting is brilliant for this type of film and easily in the top 10 of best acted STD films Vinnie Jones might be making a fool of himself on Big Brother but he really shines here and proves that he needs an action franchise like jason statham, the tremor bros are replaced here by the tremor family and while are no match on the original guys (one of the original tremor bros returns here) they are a fun bunch and I especially love Autumn Reeser who really is the only to capture their energy and twisted nature, I loved the return lazlo soot (the man with the masks) he is one of my fave characters and to see him return is amazing but unfortunately again he doesnt get a real decent amount of screen time with his real face on but yet again make a big impression with the samll amount of time he has, the rest of the cast is quite good and I really loved tom berenger who proves he still has some great acting chops.

The action in the film isn't really up tothe scale of the first film but for what it is, it's still really impressive. Overall not as good as the first but if you wanna see Straight to dvd film with some great acting, good action and just a lot of fun then sit down and watch this motherfucker.