Smokin’ Aces (released in theaters on Jan. 26, 2007) is a high-octane, neon-noir adrenaline shot that pushed the “ensemble hitman” subgenre to its absolute limit. Directed by Joe Carnahan, the film is a masterclass in controlled chaos, blending the slick, conversational cool of Tarantino with a frantic, nihilistic energy that is entirely its own.
It presents a world where every character is a caricature of violence, yet the film manages to ground its absurdity with moments of startling emotional gravity. With its rapid-fire editing and a pulsating score, it is a visceral experience that prioritizes style and momentum while weaving a surprisingly intricate web of federal intrigue.
Buddy “Aces” Israel (Jeremy Piven) is a flashy Las Vegas magician turned mob snitch who has retreated to a Lake Tahoe penthouse to hide out after agreeing to testify against the legendary Mafia boss Primo Sparazza.
The word goes out that Sparazza has put a $1 million bounty on Israel’s heart, attracting a rogue’s gallery of the world’s most deranged assassins.
This group includes the neo-Nazi Tremor brothers led by Caleb (Chris Pine), a master of disguise, a pair of lethal female assassins (Alicia Keys and Taraji P. Henson), and a torture specialist (Nestor Carbonell).
Trying to keep Israel alive long enough to testify are FBI agents Richard Messner (Ryan Reynolds) and Donald Carruthers (Ray Liotta), under the direction of Deputy Director Stanley Locke (Andy García).
The chaos is further complicated by a trio of bail bondsmen (Ben Affleck, Peter Berg, Martin Henderson) and a pathetic, degenerate lawyer (Jason Bateman) who find themselves caught in the crossfire.
As the various factions converge on the casino resort, the film explodes into a series of overlapping gunfights and double-crosses.
Featuring a deep ensemble including Joel Edgerton, Common, Matthew Fox, Brian Bloom and Alex Rocco, the narrative spirals toward a violent confrontation where the lines between the law and the lawless blur.
Ultimately, a shocking revelation regarding Sparazza’s true identity and the FBI’s involvement recontextualizes the entire bloodbath, leaving Messner to face a devastating moral choice.
Ryan Reynolds in Smokin’ Aces (Photo/Universal Pictures)
Reception for Smokin’ Aces
Smokin’ Aces grossed $14.6 million on its opening weekend, finishing second at the box office.
The film would gross $57.2 million worldwide.
The movie was followed by a 2010 prequel, Smokin’ Aces 2: Assassins’ Ball starring Tom Berenger and Ernie Hudson.
Legacy
Smokin’ Aces‘s legacy is its enduring status as a cult favorite that defied traditional genre boundaries with its unapologetic “more is more” philosophy.
The film is celebrated for its hyper-kinetic visual style and its ability to shift tonally from pitch-black comedy to crushing tragedy within a single scene.
