“Smokin’ Aces plays out like an adaptation of a Vertigo graphic novel that never was, with an uneasy mix of action, comedy, pathos and balls out weirdness that’s wrapped in such a heavy layer of constant tension that at points it’s difficult to catch your breath. That it manages to keep you on the edge of your seat is more a testament to Clint Mansell’s powerful score and some brilliant performances than it is to the plot, in which idiosyncratic hit men face off against each other and the F.B.I. to be the first to capture Buddy ‘Aces’ Israel (Jeremy Piven).”

This is an extended version of a review that should be in the print version of Exclaim!, which is hitting the newsstands on January 30th. In stark disagreement with every other critic out there (it seems like) I actually quite liked this, despite it being chock-a-block with flaws. It really is down the score and the frenetic direction, because the plot is hateful rubbish. If I was in the habit of giving scores, this would get a 3 out of 5. Not really for everyone.

I’ll probably have more to say about it in tomorrow’s Film Friday.