Smokin' Aces

Smokin’ Aces is essentially just another variation on the music-video-inspired crime flick in the style of Guy Ritchie that won’t surprise you with anything new. However, the adrenaline-fuelled dynamics and the exposition of the bad guys are at a high level, and if the film had a slightly slower build-up with a more thorough introduction of the characters, the bloodbath climax could have not only faked BIG EMOTIONS, but actually evoked them. And then it would rank among the better gangster cult movies. Joe Carnahan’s slapdash dramaturgy weakens the impression that the film makes as a whole and leaves “only” the visual/editing treats (something similar could perhaps be said about the first Kill Bill, but that film has the benefit of Tarantino’s more original concept). (01/17/2007)

My opinion of this film hasn’t changed even after all those years since I saw it for the first time. Joe Carnahan seemed like a schizophrenic - while a part of him wrote and directed quality action scenes and managed to add a good dose of humor to this crime thriller, the other part added many illogicalities, unnecessary dialogue and an inner struggle of the goody-goody main character. But I must say that the role of a puppet was the best I've seen from Ben Affleck so far. (04/23/2020)

When someone tries to be above it all, inventive and original, it doesn't always work out. Once a more capable screenwriter writes Carnahan a good, action-packed script with lifelike characters, there will be a great chance of creating a fantastic action film (greetings to The A-Team). However, as long as the director writes self-indulgent, intertwined stories with disgustingly many characters, the audience will only receive the divine action without a more meaningful plot. In the script, there are several major logical gaps that, even though I am usually tolerant of action crime movies, scream very loudly. The main one is undoubtedly the fact that although Buddy seemingly has reliable protection around him, he often remains alone and vulnerable. I also disliked the deliberately exaggerated endurance of the bullet-ridden heroes who keep breathing even with a magazine in their body. Despite countless characters in the movie, there is only one with whom you can identify better - the tough and determined agent portrayed by the fantastic and charismatic Ryan Reynolds. The rest are heartless bureaucrats, tough black women, or even perverted neo-Nazis. Reynolds is responsible for the best non-action moment of the film - a stylish and badass ending, thanks to which the taste of the film remains much better than it deserves. (04/27/2007)

Quentin Tarantino has meant a lot to American, but also to world cinema, while Guy Ritchie had a slightly smaller, but still significant influence on other artists and authors. His films are able to captivate simply because, together with violence and lines, they move at such a pace that not everyone can handle, but when it succeeds, it is truly an adrenaline ride. Many modern-day mafia members, slackers, and murderers who don't mean it as bad, but always find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Joe Carnahan also attempted something similar, such as with "RocknRolla", who recently impressed with the film adaptation of the series "A-Team" and some were less impressed, with the gritty horror film "The Grey" that is held above water primarily by the great Liam Neeson. "Smokin' Aces" is a film that revolves around one guy, his murders, money, and other important things. We have an incredible number of characters here, which don't completely blend together and you are able to distinguish them from each other. However, it doesn't change the fact that the film is overloaded, and a simple plot is turned into a gritty theater, where it succeeds in occasionally delivering great lines, and you occasionally shudder at how brutal a scene was. It spares no blood, and in the end, it's truly quite a massacre. Chris Pine has an interesting character that fits him more than, say, his agent in the film "This Means War!" The film can captivate you, but still, after it ends, you will have that strange feeling of asking yourself: "What was it actually about for those whole two hours?" More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/11/sahara-stormbreaker-syriana-andelsky.html (03/02/2013)

On one hand, it's unnecessarily long and drawn out, yet on the other hand, there are excellent acting performances (led by the cool Ben Affleck), great individual scenes, excellent action, and disarming stylization. What is unforgivable, however, is the weak story that is so piecemeal that it is a) impossible to navigate and b) almost completely unengaging. Carnahan has talent but it would be better if he made movies based on screenplays by someone else. (07/14/2007)