Review of Smokin' Aces (2006) by Dwight F — 15 Nov 2009

This is the perfect example of a good idea poorly executed.

On the crapper - script, directing, post-production.

Worthwhile - concept, casting, acting, special effects.

Joe Carnahan should have handed the concept over to a proper scriptwriter and a director proven in this genre like Michael Mann. Mann could have taken this movie and made it marvelous. It truly felt like a failed attempt to copy Mann's style.

Ryan Reynolds showed signs of brilliance, but at this time had not shed his comedic voice and ways (which were out of place). Still, he showed that the potential is there (Green Lantern?). The real surprise here was Jeremy Piven who was outstanding. Piven took a new role and ran with it. Andy Garcia was a little embarrassing.

Not completely a waste of time, but not worth seeking out. Once you get through the excruciating build up (which you could skip without missing anything) the action is almost as good as B-movie material. The movie did at times seem like the writer had these ideas for certain sequences that he built a movie and story around. Still, there are a few redeeming scenes here and there that raise it's score.