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Critics Consensus: A violent mess of a movie, Smokin' Aces has some Quentin Tarantino's style but not much of his wit or humor.
Critic Consensus: A violent mess of a movie, Smokin' Aces has some Quentin Tarantino's style but not much of his wit or humor.
All Critics (158) | Top Critics (39) | Fresh (48) | Rotten (110) | DVD (12)
It wants to be a Tarantino-esque dark comedy about gun-slinging, substance-abusing lowlifes. But instead it's a convoluted, slap-happy, humorless bloodfest.
Not a fresh idea emerges from this risible exercise in muscle-car camerawork, squib-crazy shoot-outs and self-admiring pyrotechnics.
We just sit there numbly, awaiting the next sensation and trying, without notable success, to comprehend the preposterous backstory.
Violence is spread throughout the film, and some of it is entertaining, I have to admit. But the climax at Buddy's Tahoe penthouse is Tarantino on speed.
Did Carnahan think these sickening scenes would give Smokin' Aces a moral complexity that's generally absent from this genre? I think they make the picture seem even more morally bankrupt.
Smokin Aces is a Viagra suppository for compulsive action fetishists and a movie that may not only be dumb in itself, but also the cause of dumbness in others.
A poor effort, packed with sub-par Tarantino-esque anecdotes.
Definitely a mess, but a hugely happening one.
A guilt-free return to the kind of stylish action thrillers that rely on strong characters just as much as they do carnage.
The poor man's Guy Ritchie, which is sad since the poor man already has Guy Ritchie
The best Tarantino riff of 1994.
Could've been a classic belch of grindhouse-throwback foolishness if not for Carnahan's apparent need to take his story seriously after all.
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Super Reviewer
Smokin' Aces is a fun, entertaining ride from start to finish. Effectively directed by Joe Carnahan, this is a smartly crafted and exciting picture that should please action buffs looking for a good two hours to kill. The film does have limitations, and the film's script does fall apart in some areas, and you clearly see that in some scenes. I think it's a great shame because this had the potential of being one of the most stunning action thrillers to come out in quite some time. However, the acting and directing are top-notch and it's what keeps you involved and the film does have some action packed scenes, which overcomes its flaws. Smokin' Aces had so much more potential, and though it falls short in some areas, the great cast keep it going and the action is pretty intense. If that's what you're looking for, then this is the perfect film for you. Despite its lacking moments, the script is peppered with sharp, humorous dialogue which elevates the film significantly. The flaws are there, but at least the characters are colorful and are interesting, and the plot is good for what it is, however it could have been done a bit better. Joe Carnahan is a good director, and he is able to craft a good, entertaining picture and that's what Smokin' Aces is, a flawed, but entertaining film that overcomes its imperfection due to a great cast, effective and well written dialogue that is pretty funny and more than makes up for its plot flaws. If you're looking for a good little time waster, Smokin' Aces manages to be just that, and if you can easily get past the lacking moments, you're sure to have fun with this one.
A big cast, lotsa wild characters, big, bang, boom, bust'em up shootouts all finally tied to duh script that pulls the rug out from under all the previously stated good points. Too bad. Jeremy Piven does do an excellent job though, stand out really, especially a beautiful "hope is all gone" take.
Totally ridiculous fun! Sure it's a total Tarantino/Guy Ritchie knock-off, but I highly enjoy it for what it's main intention is: over-the-top characters, excessive violence and very funny!
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