Smokin Aces suffered from an overly complicated plot about the FBI trying to investigate the mafia, but despite that it was still a highly entertaining crime-action movie.
The problem with the plot is that there are far too many threads. First, there’s the FBI trying to get the entertainer Buddy Aces Israel (Jeremy Piven) who got involved in crime to flip on mafia boss Primo Sparazza (Joseph Ruskin). Then the FBI finds out that Sparazza has put out a hit on Israel using a killer called the Swede. Then other mobsters want to knock off Israel beforehand which leads to a whole group of assassins to head to Lake Tahoe where Israel is living. Then there’s also a story of an old FBI agent that infiltrated the mob using extensive plastic surgery named Freemen Heller (Mike Falkow). He’s got a role in everything as well. On top of that there’s a big twist and turn at the end as well. This is just a short snippet into how screenwriter Joe Carnahan did way too much with the story.
What works about Smokin Aces is that many of the players are interesting characters. Piven does a great job as a strung out magician living on the edge. He’s got a five o’clock shadow and constantly looks sweaty. You take one glimpse at him and you can tell he is desperate. Then there’s the hit squad duo of Georgia (Alicia Keys) and Sharice (Taraji P. Henson). They look like they could have been in a blaxploitation flick, plus Sharice’s specialty is using a .50 caliber sniper rifle. Then there are other killers like Pasquale Acosta (Nestor Carbonell) who was known for his brutal torture techniques, the Tremor Brothers who were psychotic Nazis led by Darwin (Chris Pine), and finally Lazlo Soot (Tommy Flanagan) who was such a master of disguises no one knew what he looked like. There are actually more, but the cast is so huge it would take too long to go over all of them.
Finally, there’s the action. Everyone coalesces in Tahoe and it becomes a bloodbath. All the different hitmen, bail bondsmen, FBI agents and police all start running into each other leading to plenty of gun play and a huge shoot out at the end.
If you watch Smokin Aces I suggest you lean back and just enjoy it without trying to think about it because the plot is overdone.
C
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Smokin' Aces [Blu-ray]
IMDb6.6/10.0
| List Price: | $14.98$14.98 Details |
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| Genre | Comedy, Action & Adventure |
| Format | Multiple Formats, AC-3, Blu-ray, Color, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Dolby, Widescreen, DTS Surround Sound See more |
| Contributor | Ray Liotta, Ryan Reynolds, Wayne Newton, Common |
| Language | English |
| Runtime | 1 hour and 49 minutes |
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Product Description
Slick Las Vegas illusionist Buddy "Aces" Israel isn't playing nice. Turns out, he's telling mob secrets to the FBI. After a $1 million contract is put out on him, Aces tries to pull his greatest disappearing act before a rogues' gallery of ex-cons, hit men and smokin' hot assassins tries to rub him out in this dark action comedy that takes no prisoners.
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Product details
- Aspect Ratio : 2.35:1
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- MPAA rating : R (Restricted)
- Product Dimensions : 0.7 x 7.5 x 5.4 inches; 2.89 Ounces
- Media Format : Multiple Formats, AC-3, Blu-ray, Color, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Dolby, Widescreen, DTS Surround Sound
- Run time : 1 hour and 49 minutes
- Release date : July 4, 2017
- Actors : Ryan Reynolds, Ray Liotta, Wayne Newton, Common
- Dubbed: : French, Spanish
- Subtitles: : French, Spanish
- Language : English (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1), French (DTS 5.1), Spanish (DTS 5.1)
- Studio : Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
- ASIN : B002VEJKQI
- Country of Origin : USA
- Number of discs : 1
- Best Sellers Rank: #20,975 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
- #665 in Mystery & Thrillers (Movies & TV)
- #1,232 in Comedy (Movies & TV)
- #2,204 in Action & Adventure Blu-ray Discs
- Customer Reviews:
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4.5 out of 5
2,920 global ratings
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Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2020
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Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2021
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I liked NARC much better, but Smokin' Aces was good, just not as good as Narc and Narc was not as good as The Grey. All were directed by the same person.
This movie was a little over the top with lots of cookie cutter characters that did not seem realistic or folks you would run into in real life.
There were other facets of the movie that did not seem logical or at least what would happen in real life. When it gets too hollywood, well, I start to lose interest.
Still, this had enough twists, turns, and surprises that it kept me watching the entire time.
If you are going to buy or rent for $5 give or take, then do it.
If you are going to take the family to the theater to see it and pay $50-$75 well, I would skip it.
This movie was a little over the top with lots of cookie cutter characters that did not seem realistic or folks you would run into in real life.
There were other facets of the movie that did not seem logical or at least what would happen in real life. When it gets too hollywood, well, I start to lose interest.
Still, this had enough twists, turns, and surprises that it kept me watching the entire time.
If you are going to buy or rent for $5 give or take, then do it.
If you are going to take the family to the theater to see it and pay $50-$75 well, I would skip it.
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2021
Verified Purchase
I admit the only reason I bought the DVD was because Chris Pine was in it and he was very fine as one of 3 inbred brothers. His brothers were very entertaining wackos. Jeremy was amazing as the target. I fell in love with Tiraji in her role. She and Alicia were so hot and when Common meets Alicia - sparks. The scenes with the little boy and his grandmother are too much.
I actually enjoy this movie more with the director's commentary.
You definitely have to be in the frame of mind to want to watch so much violence and find a way to laugh at the absurdity of the plot. A great cast; weird plot but somehow it works for me and I'm 77 years old. I am laughing now just thinking about some of the scenes.
I actually enjoy this movie more with the director's commentary.
You definitely have to be in the frame of mind to want to watch so much violence and find a way to laugh at the absurdity of the plot. A great cast; weird plot but somehow it works for me and I'm 77 years old. I am laughing now just thinking about some of the scenes.
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2021
Verified Purchase
This movie is a self-indulgent actor vehicle. With a laundry list of A-list actors, I'm sure the majority of the budget was spent lining their pockets. Unbearably slow for the first hour and a quarter, then 15 minutes of manic violence and a quick 5 minute wrap-up. Sad and totally predictable "twist" ending. If you love over-paid actors doing their acting thing, this movie might do it for you, but I was bored and disinterested almost the entire film.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2020
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There's room in Hollyweired for some more Tarantino/Rodriguez shootschtick blood baths. Especially one with a Cohen brothers chaser. It's getting 4 stars purely for the acting. Pevin was great portraying Buddy Israel in the finest over the top dramatic Pevin style. Bateman the same. I think those two are some of the best at playing twisted characters with depth. Chris Pine showed he really does have acting chops here early in his career.
As far as the movie itself, well there's a lot going on and I agree with some of the other reviews maybe too much.
I think this script could've easily been cut for 2 films (the second one that was made is not up to par with this one). I would've liked to see maybe a first movie more focused on the many characters histories and how they evolved into where they landed in this one. The Tremors are deserving of a movie unto themselves. The character intro's at the beginning were fine but there are so many by the time the story gets going you've forgotten half of the character descriptions so you have to wing it. The actors save that aspect by doing such a great job with their individual characters.
All in all once you catch up to what's going on I found the movie very funny and the plot twist at the end was a bit of a surprise. Good Friday night entertainment if you like winking comedic tragedy.
As far as the movie itself, well there's a lot going on and I agree with some of the other reviews maybe too much.
I think this script could've easily been cut for 2 films (the second one that was made is not up to par with this one). I would've liked to see maybe a first movie more focused on the many characters histories and how they evolved into where they landed in this one. The Tremors are deserving of a movie unto themselves. The character intro's at the beginning were fine but there are so many by the time the story gets going you've forgotten half of the character descriptions so you have to wing it. The actors save that aspect by doing such a great job with their individual characters.
All in all once you catch up to what's going on I found the movie very funny and the plot twist at the end was a bit of a surprise. Good Friday night entertainment if you like winking comedic tragedy.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2020
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3 stars purely for the fact that they pulled off keeping me waiting for something to grab onto in the plot or characters but in the end i was disappointed. None o f the characters were developed much because there were too many actors and brief backgrounds on all of them. No one to like or dislike, or anything. The action was alright and enough to keep you watching purely for action alone but it proves that action alone does not make a movie good.
Top reviews from other countries
Janhammer71
5.0 out of 5 stars
good item.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 1, 2015Verified Purchase
Item arrived promptly, good item. Thanks
Gib Girl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good buy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 16, 2012Verified Purchase
My son also told me this film was good again, he was correct I really enjoyed it. An excellent buy thank you.
Nick P. Balzaretti
5.0 out of 5 stars
Che cover!!!!
Reviewed in Italy on August 17, 2020Verified Purchase
Ammetto di aver comprato questa steelbook più per la cover che per il film in se stesso.
Ovviamente mi è piaciuto anche il film, ci mancherebbe. Ma sono rimasta affascinata da questa cover art e l'ho fatta entrare nella mia collezione immediatamente!
Ovviamente mi è piaciuto anche il film, ci mancherebbe. Ma sono rimasta affascinata da questa cover art e l'ho fatta entrare nella mia collezione immediatamente!
Moise Galligani
5.0 out of 5 stars
Un chef d'oeuvre, un vrai
Reviewed in France on February 16, 2019Verified Purchase
Le chef d'œuvre de Joe Carnahan. Mais que devient Joe Carnahan? Visionner Smokin' Aces c'est plonger dans un cinéma étatsunien qui a disparu. Tous les points forts d'un bon film américain sont là, au service de personnages déjantés, que l'on voit très rarement dans les productions grands publics. Il est vrai que ce film n'est pas grand public! C'est un cocktail détonnant, et étonnant, servi par une distribution riche et au diapason.
La distribution, extraordinaire, avec une multitude de personnages qui existent tous, grâce à l'écriture et à la direction d'acteur.
Les personnages sont déjantés (le duo de tueuses noires, les tueurs pros et psychopathes, le gang de punks) et hors-norme (du flic du FBI infiltrant la mafia depuis des décennies au magicien mafieux drogué au dernier degré) au service d'une intrigue où tout le monde est pourri. C'est extrêmement noir et désespéré.
Et avec un lot de séquence inédite. Par exemple la scène du parking au bord du lac avec les frères qui tuent Ben Affleck et avec Chris Pine qui vient faire la marionnette avec le corps de Ben Affleck; excellente idée visuelle qui donne des éléments sur la personnalité du personnage qui est manifestement détraqué, mais qu'il y a encore plus que l'on pourrait l'imaginer. Où cette scène du rescapé qui atterrit dans une ferme avec la grand-mère et le fils handicapé qui est complètement siphonné qui se prend pour un karatéka (jusqu'à son érection quand il mime les combats). Le film regorge comme cela de séquences d'anthologie ou d'éléments que nous ne voyons jamais ou qu'on ne voit jamais dans les films américains grand public.
Le tout au service d'une histoire qui met à prix un mafieux: celui ou celle qui le tue touche une prime énorme. Ce qui convie une collection de tueurs tous plus fous les uns que les autres: un gang de punks nazis, un couple de lesbiennes, un champion du maquillage et un as de la torture. Avec pour objectif de lui arracher le coeur. Les explications arrivent à la fin, avec ce qu'il faut de retournements.
Joe Carnahan a créé avec ce film unique un polar à la limite du fantastique, de l'irréel ou plutôt de l'horreur, voire du film social (voir l'intermède dans la famille avec le petit garçon karatéka et la mère compatissante), voire naturaliste (beaucoup de personnages secondaires). Un cocktail qui produit un film unique, noir et dépressif.
La distribution, extraordinaire, avec une multitude de personnages qui existent tous, grâce à l'écriture et à la direction d'acteur.
Les personnages sont déjantés (le duo de tueuses noires, les tueurs pros et psychopathes, le gang de punks) et hors-norme (du flic du FBI infiltrant la mafia depuis des décennies au magicien mafieux drogué au dernier degré) au service d'une intrigue où tout le monde est pourri. C'est extrêmement noir et désespéré.
Et avec un lot de séquence inédite. Par exemple la scène du parking au bord du lac avec les frères qui tuent Ben Affleck et avec Chris Pine qui vient faire la marionnette avec le corps de Ben Affleck; excellente idée visuelle qui donne des éléments sur la personnalité du personnage qui est manifestement détraqué, mais qu'il y a encore plus que l'on pourrait l'imaginer. Où cette scène du rescapé qui atterrit dans une ferme avec la grand-mère et le fils handicapé qui est complètement siphonné qui se prend pour un karatéka (jusqu'à son érection quand il mime les combats). Le film regorge comme cela de séquences d'anthologie ou d'éléments que nous ne voyons jamais ou qu'on ne voit jamais dans les films américains grand public.
Le tout au service d'une histoire qui met à prix un mafieux: celui ou celle qui le tue touche une prime énorme. Ce qui convie une collection de tueurs tous plus fous les uns que les autres: un gang de punks nazis, un couple de lesbiennes, un champion du maquillage et un as de la torture. Avec pour objectif de lui arracher le coeur. Les explications arrivent à la fin, avec ce qu'il faut de retournements.
Joe Carnahan a créé avec ce film unique un polar à la limite du fantastique, de l'irréel ou plutôt de l'horreur, voire du film social (voir l'intermède dans la famille avec le petit garçon karatéka et la mère compatissante), voire naturaliste (beaucoup de personnages secondaires). Un cocktail qui produit un film unique, noir et dépressif.
Dennis M.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Tolles Steelbook
Reviewed in Germany on March 25, 2021Verified Purchase
Sehr ansehnliches Steelbook mit einem tollen Film. Jeremy Piven als Buddy Israel ist nicht ganz so gut wie als Ari Gold in Entourage, aber man sieht in welche Richtung es geht. Wer auf Action und eine überraschende Wendung steht, ist hier genau richtig.

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