Smokin' Aces
Joe Carnahan
The very long and clunky exposition essentially sets up the fact that everyone, from cops to paid assassins, is after Buddy “Aces” Israel (Jeremy Piven), a Las Vegas showman turned crime boss turned snitch.
Stylistically, the movie fancies itself as an Ocean’s Eleven, with the paths of those after Israel criss-crossing at his hotel hangout. But Aces lacks the lightness of touch and spirit of the former.
Joe Carnahan, who co-produced, wrote and directed the film, rounded up an eclectic and diverse ensemble cast – including Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Andy Garcia, Ray Liotta, Matthew Fox, Alicia Keys – but to no avail. The lucky ones are those killed off first.
Carnahan throws everything onto the screen, hoping that something, anything, sticks. For a brief moment or two, the toxic slime stays up there – and then slithers right off.
(ST)