Review: Smokin Aces 2: Assassins' Ball

A prequel to the Joe Carnahan's original picture, Walter Weed is a senior analyst desk jockey at the FBI who becomes the target of a considerably large bounty. He is taken under protective custody headed by Agent Baker who is protecting him against a motley crew of lethal assassins, including a master of disguise, a femme fatale, and an extended Tremor family.

For a direct DVD sequel of a decent theatrical release, Smokin' Aces 2 is a surprisingly effective shoot'em up thriller. It is very reminiscent of its predecessor: A young FBI agent is assigned to protect the target of a high profile bounty that is targeted by the best and most violent assassins. Maybe to a fault. It could have struck out on its own a little more. Although the intention of the first one to be an analog of the Iraq War becomes much more clear in this installment. A series of mis- and disinformation results in a bloody and violent outcome. The clarity is helped by the Walter Weed character being an old-fashioned Conservative red-blooded American who's loyalty starts and stops with what is the best for his country no matter how misguided he might be.

Clayne Crawford does not have the same charisma and presence as Ryan Reynolds, but he is a solid leading man. Calm and clear-headed under pressure. Tommy Flanagan and Maury Sterling return to their respective roles. As a master of disguise more actors played Flanagan's role than he did, but Sterling is given considerably more to do. Adding the likes of Michael Parks and Autumn Reeser to the Tremor family, the latter of which gives an entertainingly manic performance, allows them to keep up with Pine's humor and Durand's intensity that made the family so memorable in the first flick. Vinnie Jones is added to the mix, and for an athelte turned actor, he easily charms the pants off any audience no matter how incredibly evil his character may be. Rounding out the cast is Tom Berenger, a seasoned veteran, as the marked man who gives a great performance as a paranoid man never at ease but with a big secret sitting in his back pocket.

The action looks funny at times. Circus midget cannonballs never look not cheesy, but for what I assumed would be a low budget DVD level flick, the spectacle looks better than one would expect. I question whether the expectations made it look better or if it actually was good. There is no lack of blood letting and bullet flying, so any action junkie should be at least content with the viewing experience.

If you liked the first Smokin' Aces, there is a good chance you would enjoy this one as well. Of course if you hated the first one do not even bother with the sequel. Ultimately, Aces 2 is entertaining enough for a night in.

6/10