Smokin’ Aces

Year: 2006

Grade: B-

Country: USA

Director: Carnahan

Review

like the last king of scotland, smokin’ aces fails because of a tonal shift. the first half of the film is slick, funny, and unemotional. the second half attempts to reach a depth that isn’t really earned from its first half. there’s nothing wrong with being a slick, fast-paced film, but a filmmaker must know the limitations of a film like that. films like get shorty or pulp fiction, which have a certain slick quality to them, don’t overextend themselves by attempting to compel the audience to tears in the final act; and they’re better for it. other than the end, the film is a pretty good, stylish flick with plenty of action and some good comic relief. it’s a busy film visually and plot-wise, but it’s not too overwhelming (so long as you’re under 30).

Watched in theater