21: A Deviation from Horror
- April 20th, 2008
- COMMENTS 3
“It’s not gambling. It’s playing cards.”
This motto is one of my co-workers favorites as weekly he ventures to Biloxi to tempt fate. This is also the motto of the new movie release, 21, which I was able to hobble to yesterday, crutch-less and chair-less (I can’t begin to tell you how awesome it is to be back on my feet.)
Math geeks will probably love this movie as it is all about numbers and being a bit of a nerd. People like me who are not so bright and fell for the preview promise of a fast paced movie will be sorely disappointed, as I was.
Movie Synopsis
An ex card player (remember, it’s not “gambling”) turned MIT college professor utilizes his best students to form an unstoppable card counting team that works the tables in Vegas, resulting in obscene amounts of money, women, and wine. Due to high tech gadgetry and the sweet taste of revenge however, the team is not soon enough soon discovered and the fairytale turns into a nightmare.
Delivery
In a word, weak.
This movie had so much potential, and perhaps if it had been presented as a psychological thriller study versus an action packed drama it would have succeeded in keeping this viewer hooked. Unfortunately however it fell short and I found only the last 1/2 hour worth the money paid for admission.
I realize this movie is based on a true story so there is a certain time line it needs to maintain, however keeping the viewer captivated should not be the sacrifice to do so.
This movie does offer a believable and exceptionally competent cast ranging from Kevin Spacey as the professor, to Lawrence Fishburne as the casino’s muscle for convincing undesirables to stay away, Kate Bosworth as the love interest and Jim Sturgess, a seasoned yet not so known actor, as the main character. The acting is what kept me watching; the directing is what kept me bored.
The full first hour and 1/2 was more or less laying the groundwork for the finale. It focused on getting you to know the characters; to feel what they were feeling. To understand why. So for me at least, it dragged. And I became bored. And when something would happen that made it appear as if action was about to begin….. well….. it dragged some more. And the boredom continued.
Conclusion
Based on the viewer reviews found at IMDB.com I would have to say that I fall into the minority of my opinion of this movie. As well, Yahoo viewers had it ranked a B+ when I decided to see this movie. Overnight it has dropped to a B and I’m willing to bet it won’t stop there.
What do you think? If you’ve seen the movie, did I miss something? Maybe I should read the book (gotta check to see if there is one.) The book is always wayyyy better than the movie……
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I love reviewing regular ole movies too.
It’s so hard when you see a non-horror movie to not review it, so I like to think of my blog as “a dish of horror with a side of other genres.”
Ryne’s last blog post..Movie Review - The Mad Monster
Hey, Glad to know you are back on your feet. I still have not watched this movie but I was looking forward to it. Maybe I will hold off for the book instead.
RN
Reel Ninja’s last blog post..Are You Kidding Me? Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe? Really?
I didn’t like 21 at all! I was falling asleep during the first hour (I saw this movie around noon the day it came out). My expectations were that there would be a lot of action/thrill, but there wasn’t any at all.