Mob boss Primo Sparazza has taken out a hefty contract on Buddy "Aces" Israel--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 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, deadly vixens and double-crossing mobsters to join in the hunt.
Main complain: Big cast but story not strong enough to flesh out the characters. Guess the congregation of the big names would warrant enough curiousity to go watch the movie since it was not highly publicised. The story about a star witness, played by Entourage's Jeremy Piven, a card magician who is under the FBI's protection as he makes a decision to fight against another mob boss when he is one. This leads to a whole lot of other people, including bondsman Ben Affleck and friends, assasins like Alicia Keyes and a trio of mad brothers to go after him (therefore a whole lot of actors). Suffice to say, too many cooks spoil the broth and before you know it, some of them gets killed after 30 min into the movie (and easily). Memorable was this one hired killer that was eeriely cool and collected and killed his victims by a spring protruding spike from his sleeve. Exciting moments when all parties entered the hotel where the star witness was staying and they were all making their way up to kill him. Keeps you guessing who will get to the guy first or will the FBI successfully protect him. Lots of shootouts after first half of movie. Agree that the first half was confusing as hell with so many introductory speeches made by the characters that one gets easily lost and not wanting to stay for the second half. But please do, cos it can only get better. If you liked Reservoir Dogs or Snatch, you'd enjoy thius movie a bit.
The movie opens with a dying head mobster. From there it takes its time to build up to the how and why crooks and assassins come crawling out of the woodwork to congregate at a Lake Tahoe hotel. Buddy Israel (Jeremy Priven), a professional magician-cum-mobster, is being holed up at this hotel as a state witness after deciding to sell out his underworld gang instead of serving a lengthy prison term. His decision scares the mobsters who retaliate by offering a million-dollar bounty on his head. Out come the crooks and assassins - all hungry for the reward.
The plot then twists and turns as the assassins make their way closer to the target holed up in the hotel. Director Joe Carnahan tends to spend too much time explaining and building up the profile of each group of assassins. They end up finding out they are all in town for the same purpose and try to finish each other off - losing sight of their bounty. At certain points, you question the cartoon-styled violence and shootings and wonder if they are at all professional hit-men, seeing that they do little to conceal their task. At the same time, you cannot help but draw a scene parallel to Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill", with less style and a lot more messy.
The introduction of a pimply front desk chap, who becomes the informant for the police hot on the trail of the assassins, does little to draw sympathy or humour. You really wonder what he was doing in the movie besides inciting pity - a feeling you seldom get as you sit through this movie.
Eventually, Buddy survives the extensive murder attempt on his life but ends up in hospital next to... the dying mobster head we saw at the beginning! From here the story takes a twist, and it is revealed that there is more than meets the eye for the bounty on Buddy's life.
The story finally heaves to a close with one last twist that will make you wonder: 'Is that finally the end?' You get up giddy-headed and wishing for a Panadol to ease the insanity you just sat through.
The show has its moments of saving grace. Piven puts up quite a magical performance. And if you do not find him entertaining, you may be impressed with the other stars who play their bizarre roles out to the T.
Production Photos - Click thumbnail for larger photos
