21 (Single-Disc Edition)
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Movie Reviews of 21 (Single-Disc Edition)
Movie Review: Story embellished, but still it is an interesting idea and film
Summary: 3 Stars
Based on the novel "Bringing Down the House", "21" is about five M.I.T students who, along with their teacher (who is ringleader), concoct a plan to count cards, forming a secret "study" group where they practice their skills and signals before heading to the big stage of Las Vegas. Ben first rejects, and then ultimately accepts the invitation to join, for the reason of getting enough money to get to med school. Ben, who wows his instructor (Kevin Spacey) with his knowledge of numbers and probability, quickly becomes the leader for the group, but once in Vegas, becomes seduced by the glamour, thrill and rush it brings. He becomes a polar opposite person from his mundane, nerdy existence in Boston, where his two friends begin to suspect that something has changed him. Ben forgets advice given to him by his instructor of not giving into his emotions, that their plan is not to gamble, but to count. Predictably, Ben falls for one of the girls in his study group (Jill), betrays his friends, and becomes reckless; all the while the eye in the sky (Laurence Fishborne) is watching his group on surveillance. Without giving too much away, the focus shifts to what will happen if and when the group gets caught, will Ben save his friendship, and will he be able to save enough for med school.
While the story is interesting, plot logic and obvious and blatant embellishment of the M.I.T story (which it is based on) gets so far-fetched that the movie may be rendered partial fantasy. For one, why did the group decide to go to the same casino every time, with the same head of security (Fishborne) watching him from above? Being that Las Vegas has at least twenty casinos, you would think these whiz kids would catch on to that. Also, I was a bit perplexed by Fishborne's character "roughing up" guys who he suspected were counting, as if he were some mafia boss. As far as I know, counting cards is frowned upon, and you might get asked to leave, but not illegal, and security certainly wouldn't come barreling out of their office full force and tackle suspecting counters, taking them up to their office to beat up. (If I'm wrong, enlighten me). Another criticism is the overacting. Not only does Fishborne's character borders on lunacy, but Kevin Spacey's does also, being way over the top as well, spewing out instructions and threats to anyone turning their backs on him, or failing to carry out his plan. The ending was a bit logic-defying as well, only dreamed up in a screenplay, not in real life. It seems to me that if the writers/directors would have done a little more homework on this subject, the movie might have been spared some walloping by critics.
All in all, it was a mixed bag. The idea of teams going to Vegas to try to beat the system is an engaging one, and the psychology and thrill of the game is what kept my interest. If you are too much of realist, you might be a little disappointed. Normally logic in film is my pet peeve, but I was able to set it aside just because I found the subject fascinating, and despite several flaws, it was a fun film that was well-paced and held my attention. It's also the kind of flick that will get people talking after they see it, which is usually a good thing.
3 ½ stars
Movie Review: It may be fun, but it sure is empty...
Summary: 3 Stars
In the long running tradition of films that lack substance yet make up for it in fun, `21' works quite well, delivering a thrill ride movie experience that is entertaining and engaging even if it is nothing we haven't already seen a hundred times before. With palatable performances and a decent flow of action, `21' tries very hard to reach its target audience (rebellious teenagers) and in that regard it hits the nail on the head. If you are looking for a more intelligent look at this true story then you may be let down, since this movie is purely superficial and exists only to rake in the money.
The film tells the story of math genius Ben Campbell who's dreams of getting into college ride on the chance to snag a scholarship, a scholarship that he deserves but most likely won't receive. His mother has saved up all her money to give him for tuition, but he doesn't want to take her savings (he's a saint of sorts). That's when he gets a proposition, to join a secret team of similar math geniuses who train to count cards and then let loose in Vegas under the watchful eye of their professor Micky Rosa.
So the film is really little more than a small group of good looking teens gambling and drinking and partying.
Like I said; money maker.
I really felt that `21' would have a little more substance, beings that the story is so engaging, but they totally went the sell out route with this one, making it nothing more than a random collage of everything you would find in a teen movie. That isn't to say it isn't entertaining, because it is, but it's the type of pointless entertainment you can find almost anywhere. They try and play the whole morality card, but even that attempt is halfhearted and feels a little dead.
The performances are actually pretty good, especially from the older actors in the film. Kevin Spacey is pitch-perfect as the `hidden agenda ridden' professor Rosa, and Laurence Fishburne (who I tend to find stiff) is flawless as the hard edged security man trying to hunt down the casino's heavy hitters. The group of youngsters is pretty decent, standouts being Sturgess and Yoo. I usually really like Bosworth (I adored her breakout performance in `Blue Crush') but here she is stale to me.
This is not your typical biopic; it's your typical teen Blockbuster. Watch it for the sheer entertainment value but don't expect to really care too much. There is a slew of much better, far richer Blockbuster fare released this very year. Even the superhero movies released this year have more depth than this missed opportunity.
Movie Review: Slick &Entertaining, But Far From Reality
Summary: 3 Stars
I enjoyed the movie because it was entertaining all the way. It was slick and had interesting characters. The only problem was the last half of it where credibility when flying out the window. The movie is all about supposedly very intelligent people, led by the smartest of the all the group, the only veteran in this college age-dominated cast: "Professor Mickey Rosa," played by Kevin Spacey. Well, Rosa would not do what he did here, for starters, meaning trusting an untrustworthy and revenge-seeking kid. If you've seen the movie you know what I mean. The others in the group wouldn't go along with the renegade - "Ben Campbell" (Jim Sturgess) - either. There is no way this kid is going to totally outsmart the professor, but it makes for good Hollywood dramatics.
There are a bunch of other holes, too, such as wanting to be anonymous but going back to the same place; a ridiculous chase scene through the casino gambling area and kitchen; hand signals that a junior detective could see (and are never changed!) and - maybe the worst - winning tons of money in sessions. Nobody with half a brain would win much at any session, because it draws attention. You win a little here, a little there and go from place-to-place and remain anonymous. This movie is based on a true story, and I can guarantee you that's what the MIT students did in real life - not what you see here.
Still, facts aside, it's still a fun movie to watch and since entertainment is the name of the game with films, it succeeds and I still give it an "8" star rating for that. At no time was I bored and overly insulted at the dumbness that I would have stopped playing the DVD. It will hold your interest and you'll be thoroughly entertained, especially if you don't know a lot about blackjack and how casinos operate.
Oh, as a postscript: they don't beat up "card counters" in back rooms of casinos. If they think you are counting cards, which I don't believe is illegal, they still have the right to kick you out of their establishment.....but they ask you nicely and you are removed from the floor with no big scene or violence. They have your picture, there are security people everywhere, and you aren't allowed back.
So, enjoy the film but don't believe the screenplay.
Movie Review: interesting story given decent treatment
Summary: 3 Stars
The only thing standing between 21-year-old Ben Campbell and his lifelong dream of attending Harvard Medical School is the $300,000 in fees and tuition it will cost to go there. But Ben has a special skill that might make it possible to cover his bills and then some. It turns out he's a genius when it comes to numbers, and it is this talent that brings him to the attention of Micky Rosa, Ben's professor at MIT, who has come up with what he believes is a full proof system for winning at blackjack. Rosa invites Ben to become a part of a handpicked team of similarly gifted students who are getting some extracurricular lessons in how to beat the house at 21. Ben is, at first, reluctant to sign on to what seems like a morally questionable enterprise, but the lure of easy money and the appeal to his ego finally win him over. So off to Vegas they go to put their system into play. But can a clean-cut, wholesome boy like Ben stay true to his goals and principles once he`s had a taste of life in the fast lane?
Based on a true story, "21," directed by Robert Luketic, is a slick, superficial, well-oiled crowd-pleaser that holds one's attention while it's playing itself out but doesn't provide much food for thought or emotional resonance after it`s over. Jim Sturgess makes for an appealing protagonist as the acceptance-craving Ben, but the real acting here is done by Kevin Spacey as the odious professor who uses blackmail and bribery to keep his minions in line, and Laurence Fishburne as a head of casino security who may turn out to be the one serious impediment to the team`s success. The script fails to make the card-game esoterica comprehensible for the lay audience - we're forced to accept way too much of it on faith - but hardcore gamblers will probably be taking notes for future pointers.
Plus, there's a great moment at the end that makes the whole shebang suddenly worthwhile.
Movie Review: Suprisingly, It Doesn't Suck
Summary: 3 Stars
"21" definitely surprised me. Based on the reviews I had read on it, and--to be honest--my own personal taste in movie, this looked like a true stinker. Long story short, I wound up watching it with a group, and was pretty shocked to find out that I actually liked the movie. The acting wasn't bad, the story was good, and the positives actually outweighed the negatives.
As far as the negatives, they are there. It didn't seem realistic that the characters wouldn't change the signals they use at all during the course of the film, and the fact that they played at the same casino over and over, even when the employees began to recognize and know them, was pretty tiresome. There were indeed some eyeroller scenes, and I didn't like how they wound up going so arch with a certain character's villainous actions, but overall, these things didn't bother me as much as I thought they might.
Make no mistake, this is a fairly generic film. The nerdy kid ditches his fellow nerds when he becomes cool, but then he gets into trouble. But the twist the movie put on this trope, with the whole blackjack plot, the funny friends, and the context the movie was put into at the end really satisfied me as a viewer. I liked that, for all its flashiness, the story remained very focused on the main character, and how he deals with the situation he's in.
It's not the best movie you'll see this year. I won't really even say this is one you should go out of you way to see, because there are so many great movies out this year, but if you're bored at home one night with nothing to watch, "21" won't disappoint.
6/10