Review of Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball (2010) by Nekisha F — 12 Jan 2010

7 1/2 out of 10.

If you liked the original Smokin' Aces and you love Assassin movies, you're on very safe ground here. I'm amazed at what was achieved here on a direct to DVD budget, it retains the same absurd crazy energy as the original, poaching directly from Natural Born Killers in places, and most importantly has a powedkeg pace that builds nicely. I tend to favor low budget for action vehicles, it brings out the best in stunt people, keeps the whole movie very physical and grounded, and means without infiinte takes, things have to get lean and direct. It suits the format, and while over the years it's given rise to dozens of throwaway junk, there's people who still excel in the medium, the Tournament and Blood and Bone last year being great examples of that.

There's familiar faces being a prequel as some of our favourite killers make appearances, Tom Berenger and Clayne Crawford both work very hard to make sure to make sure the acting component is far from forgotten in some lovely exchanges, and like the original you're encouraged to strap in while things get a wee bit nuts.There are some clumsy effects which detract from some of the great stuntwork, but while it's a big cast of supercool badasses, agents and killers alike, everyone is given their moment to shine both in introduction and exceution. Even Vinnie Jones in his standard hardman mode is allowed to be, dare I say it, charming? With these kind of touches going on in both the characters and the heroic bloodshed it's impossible not to get swept along.

Surprisingly polished and a worthy prequel, it's a good time for action junkies.