About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

Joe Carnahan's twisted action comedy Smokin' Aces is a full-throttle, adrenaline-pumping ride loaded with interesting characters. Definitely one for action freaks, Smokin' Aces doesn't hold back on the violence or dark humor.



Pros

• Over the top action comedy featuring a great ensemble cast
• Loaded with bonus features

Cons

• None worth noting

Description

• Outtakes - Ben Affleck's non-existent pool skills are the highlight of the long blooper reel

• 'Cowboy Ending' - Darker, more dramatic alternate ending
• 'The Line-Up' - 5 featurettes on the various players in Smokin' Aces
• 'The Big Gun' - Behind the scenes of Smokin' Aces with writer/director Joe Carnahan (a man with a great sense of humor)
• 4 deleted and extended scenes
• 'Shoot 'Em Up: Stunts and Effects' - Staging the gunfights
• Feature commentary by Joe Carnahan and editor Robert Frazen
• Feature commentary by Joe Carnahan, Common, Christopher Holley and Zach Cumer
• DVD Release Date: April 17, 2007

Guide Review - Smokin' Aces DVD Review

There are more entertaining characters in Smokin' Aces than you'll find in dozens of major theatrical releases put together. Writer/director Joe Carnahan's cast includes Jeremy Piven, Ryan Reynolds, Ray Liotta, Andy Garcia, Ben Affleck, Alicia Keys, Common, Martin Henderson, Jason Bateman, Taraji Henson, Chris Pine, Maury Sterling and Kevin Durand, and each character has his or her moment to shine.

The story follows sleazy stage magician Buddy 'Aces' Israel (Piven) who's also a wannabe mobster.

Aces winds up messing with the wrong people and a batch of the most bizarre hit men - and hit women - in cinematic history tail him to Tahoe to collect a $1 million bounty. Also on the scene are a bunch of FBI agents sent to protect Aces so that he can live to testify against the Vegas mob.

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