Pjtaylor-96-138044 Despite a simple premise seemingly rife with possibilities, this fast-moving yet unfocused action thriller bounces around from character to character without any real through-line until it reaches a twist-ending that thinks it's more clever and important than it actually is (as it doesn't even impact anything really). 'Smokin' Aces (2006)' is a film that screams "I'm cool" at every chance it gets but rarely makes more than a whimper, especially when placed in a room with its much more effortlessly stylish peers. Unfortunately, the script features frequent expository dumps that overload the viewer, making it hard to retain any of the information, and the infrequent action is always brief and underwhelming. The movie really isn't fun and it's actually quite cringe-worthy, at times. 4/10

Tweekums Buddy 'Aces' Israel is a Las Vegas magician who had become a little too close to the Mafia; at first he just enjoyed hanging out with mobsters then he wanted to become one and finally he has a choice; go to jail or inform on the mob… in particular Primo Sparazza the brutal leader of the Las Vegas Mob. Soon there is a million dollar bounty on his head and a variety of hit men (and women), bounty hunters and the FBI are converging on his penthouse apartment in a Lake Tahoe hotel. When they get there all hell will break loose.For the most part this is a fairly routine action film; it starts well with the explanation of the main plot and introduction of the numerous people we assume will be the main characters. A few of them don't really last long enough to be considered main characters though. They are a varied bunch; a pair of FBI agents who think taking Buddy into custody should be a relatively routine assignment; a pair of female assassins; a trio of somewhat insane killers; a few independent killers; a group of bounty hunters; Buddy and his entourage and mention of the mysterious 'Swede'. During these introductions we see flashbacks of some of their previous work. Once the action in Tahoe gets started it is quickly turned up to eleven and it is anybody's guess which of our protagonists will survive. The cast includes plenty of familiar names including; Ben Affleck, Andy Garcia, Ray Liotta and Ryan Reynolds they all do a decent enough jobs although for me the most memorable characters were played by singer Alicia Keys, on her acting debut, and Taraji P. Henson as the hitwomen Georgia Sykes and Sharice Watters… this may have been aided by the fact that the latter's weapon of choice was a massive fifty calibre rifle! As the film reaches its end there is a twist that is a bit unnecessary but wasn't enough to detract from the film. It must be noted that this film isn't for the squeamish as there is a lot of bloody mayhem which is often brutal rather than just over-the-top. Overall though I'd recommend this to anybody wanting action, a degree of comedy and isn't easily offended.

Python Hyena Smokin' Aces (2006): Dir: Joe Carnahan / Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Alicia Keys, Ray Liotta, Andy Garcia, Jeremy Piven: Fast moving action film about "Aces" Isreal whom everyone wants dead. The F.B.I. tracks him down at a high Vegas suite. Director Joe Carnahan does a terrific job at maintaining story lines with graphic violence populating the third act. He previously made Narc, which is another well crafted action thriller surrounding the rights and wrongs of the law. This is not as great a film as Narc, but it's entertaining to boot. Ryan Reynolds plays an F.B.I. officer who learns hard truths about Aces and his relation to an older mobster. It is a great serious performance from Reynolds who witnesses the dishonesty around him but his solution is questionable when he locks himself into a certain room. Alicia Keys is superb as a female hit-man posing as a prostitute to gain access to Isreal's suite. Ray Liotta plays Reynolds partner who enters the building with Reynolds yet meets tragedy. Andy Garcia is strong in key scenes when he arranges the whole assault then attempts to cover up guilty parties. Jeremy Piven plays Buddy "Aces", which is the Ace being smokin' out. The action is fast and fierce but the violence is extreme and too excessive. The film is well crafted and visually appealing for the genre. It regards the reality of one's evil deeds catching up and presenting its penalty. Score: 8 / 10

SnoopyStyle FBI Deputy Director Stanley Locke (Andy Garcia), agents Richard Messner (Ryan Reynolds) and Donald Carruthers (Ray Liotta) are using Las Vegas magician wannabe gangster Buddy "Aces" Israel (Jeremy Piven) to bring down the last mob boss Primo Sparazza (Joseph Ruskin). Sparazza has issued a $1 million bounty on Israel. This brings in contract killers Lazlo Soot (Tommy Flanagan), Sharice Watters (Taraji P. Henson) and Georgia Sykes (Alicia Keys), Pasquale Acosta (Nestor Carbonell), and neo-Nazis Darwin (Chris Pine), Jeeves (Kevin Durand) and Lester (Maury Sterling). Bail bondsmen Jack Dupree (Ben Affleck), Pete Deeks (Peter Berg) and Hollis Elmore (Martin Henderson) hired by sleazy lawyer Rip Reed (Jason Bateman) who wants him back.This is a massive mess of crazy characters in a stylized gangster movie. It's nearly impossible to connect with any of the characters. The writing is all style and nothing too sharp. There are some crazy fun action as long as one can maintain attention long enough to see them.