Smokin' Aces (DVD review)

Rated: R (for strong bloody violence, pervasive language, some nudity, and drug use)
Runtime: 109 minutes
Written and Directed by: Joe Carnahan
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Ray Liotta, Alicia Keys, Ben Affleck, Jeremy Piven, Andy Garcia, Common, Jason Bateman

As much as I love cinema for its art-house offerings, I dig me some slick, fast-paced, unpretentious fun flicks. When I saw the trailers for Smokin Aces I thought it looked like a killer installment in the latter category. While not necessarily bad, it doesn’t at all live up to those expectations.

This latest endeavor from writer/director Joe Carnahan, who helmed the brilliant cop drama Narc, is a deviation that lines up more with his earlier flick Blood, Guts, Bullets and Octane. Vegas showman turned wannabe gangster Buddy “Aces” Israel (Jeremy Piven) is the key factor in the FBI’s case against the mob. When the dying Don offers a $1 million bounty on Buddy’s life (specifically requesting his heart), a diverse bevy of crazed hitmen come out of the woodwork to off the Sin City rat. That’s pretty much the gist of the movie.

The flick boasts a very impressive ensemble cast. Ray Liotta does well as an agent trying to safely relocate “Aces” so he doesn’t get “smoked,” but is incredibly underused. Ben Affleck’s bit is short-lived and neither impressive nor annoying. The ridiculously talented singer/musician Alicia Keys makes her acting debut as one of the assassins and holds her own. Piven (HBO’s Entourage) is delightfully over the top and sleazy. The MVP award definitely goes to Ryan Reynolds though as Liotta’s partner, continuing to shed the comedic skin he so comfortably wore in Van Wilder – the guy’s got some serious intensity as a dramatic action star. Also of note are Common’s performance as one of Piven’s entourage (ha!) and a ridiculously hysterical two-scene setup with Jason Bateman (Arrested Development).

Carnahan has a keen visual scheme that works to good effect here – intense, vibrant, bleached colors and visceral, hyperkinetic cinematography. He populates his tale with bizarrely eccentric characters and decently executed action pieces. The assassins are mostly complete psychopaths, wielding everything from sniper rifles that more closely resemble anti-aircraft cannons to chainsaws (there’s a whole lotta bloodshed). Smokin Aces’ problem is the script and overall construction.

The dialogue, while audacious and quirky, comes across inappropriately vulgar, trying to channel some level of Tarantino panache but failing rather miserably. There are multiple uninspired diatribes about things that feel irrelevantly out of place. And too often there are moments where the flick strives for an awkward sense of poignancy. Characters seethe in their despair of the situation’s chaos and spend too much time begging for the audience’s sympathy. The problem is that with as manic and schizophrenic as this flick is there’s no attachment to any of the players, and whenever they have their little dramatic vignettes it comes across as incredibly pretentious. Ultimately it’s unnecessary, causing the movie to drag. Aces would’ve worked better if it were cut by about 15 minutes, and any attempt at depth were cast aside for pure, unabashed, visceral fun.

The DVD comes with deleted scenes, an alternate ending, featurettes, outtakes – a decent package. I didn’t dislike Smokin Aces, I just think it fell short of its potential thanks to a flawed attempt at elevating its status. It looks good and carries with it a decent level of action and well-placed comedy, though. Lower your expectations and check it out.

My Rating: C+