Smokin' Aces is a movie with 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, 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.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this movie. The trailer was clearly one of those where it could be a good cat and mouse type movie or it could be a scattered, sophomoric mess. Luckily, it was actually pretty solidly put together even with the crazy ensemble of quirky characters. There were parts of this movie that I couldn't stop laughing and there were parts where I didn't want to blink and miss a second. It was a lot better than I thought it would be.
I would definitely recommend this movie to people. It is more than worth the rental fee and pretty much covers all areas of what you would want from a movie . . . . . humor, suspense, action, and drama.
