Smokin' Aces
In these interlocking tales of high stakes and low lifes, Mob boss Primo Sparazza has taken out a hefty contract on Buddy "Aces" Israel (Jeremy Piven)--a sleazy magician who has agreed to turn state's evidence against the Vegas mob. The FBI, sensing a chance to use this small-time con to bring down big-target Sparazza, places Aces into protective custody-under the supervision of two agents (Ryan Reynolds and Ray Liotta) dispatched to Aces' Lake Tahoe hideout.
When word of the price on Aces' head spreads into the community of ex-cons and cons-to-be, it entices bounty hunters, thugs-for-hire, smokin' hot vixens and double-crossing mobsters to join in the hunt. With all eyes on Tahoe, this rogues' gallery collides in a comic race to hit the jackpot and rub out Aces.
Member Reviews
Aces is Wild... - Bobbie
If you like unadulterated, non-stop, almost comic-like action delivered with a modicum of style -- and have no problem suspending all reasonable belief -- then you'll be well-entertained. Although the director [Joe Carnahan] is not exactly a household word, he does a great job on several fronts:
1. The casting works. You'd think that the plot would get over-crowded with an ensemble of a dozen or more killers, bounty hunters and agents trying to whack or apprehend one single guy, but each individual or team carve their own unique character (one female pair including Alicia Keys; a trio of psychopathic, inbred, backwoods, supremacists; a disguise expert; etc... you get the idea]. They're all competent and a hoot in their own right.
2. It would be easy for the film to get bogged down trying to develop this crowd, but Carnahan uses a quick-paced perspective to set them all up, get audience buy-in, and move this over-armed mob forward in record time.
3. Aces is a 100% large-calibre slug-fest. It's amazing that anyone makes it to their final destination through the swarm of lead and excessive spent shells piling-up around them... a task that undoubtedly kept a small army of armament & SPFX experts employed for months.
4. The film has some `heart`. Although the ending is a bit too 'Agatha Christie-esque' for my taste, Carnahan (who also wrote the script) goes to great lengths to cleverly weave an entire sub-plot into the main event -- which he only reveals at the very end... albeit irrelevant (so pay attention to the details if you like that kind of stuff ;-)
It's easy to see why Carnahan directed the new A-Team movie.diamond in the rough - Knowan
I got to say, I wasn't expecting much out of this movie. Therefore I was pleasantly surprised to find that I liked it! It's no Pulp Fiction, but it's still pretty good.
I liked the characters, with the possible exception of the 3 brothers. It wasn't just a mindless shoot-em-up, you had to keep your thinking cap on in order to be able to follow the plot. In one of the DVD extras the writer/director stated that he was shooting for an action movie encompassing all the sub-genres (Mad Max style post-apocalypse world, Bourne Identity action, Ocean's 11 suspense) that also made you think. He pretty much achieved that (although the Mad Max style 3 brothers were kind of over the top).
All in all a good movie that I don’t regret watching.Smokin' - AandW
Pretty good. Not stellar. Good action and pretty good acting. Alicia Keyes is surprisingly good in her small role. The story is kind of lame and the end doesn't make too much sense even though you knew that is what was going to happen. It made some of the earlier scenes and premises make no sense. Anyway, it's worth a look. 4 stars is probably generous. 3 1/2 would be more accurate, but there aren't half stars on Zip.
Member Reviews
Read All...
Aces is Wild... - Bobbie
If you like unadulterated, non-stop, almost comic-like action delivered with a modicum of style -- and have no problem suspending all reasonable belief -- then you'll be well-entertained. Although the director [Joe Carnahan] is not exactly a household word, ...diamond in the rough - Knowan
I got to say, I wasn't expecting much out of this movie. Therefore I was pleasantly surprised to find that I liked it! It's no Pulp Fiction, but it's still pretty good.
I liked the characters, with the possible exception of the 3 brothers. It wasn't ...Smokin' - AandW
Pretty good. Not stellar. Good action and pretty good acting. Alicia Keyes is surprisingly good in her small role. The story is kind of lame and the end doesn't make too much sense even though you knew that is what was going to happen. It made some of ...