Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Breakneck
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- kinetic
- sardonic
- nihilistic
- action movie night
- late night viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film energetically directed and visually forceful but overstuffed, excessively violent, and short on the wit it borrows from Tarantino-style crime cinema.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The bounty on Buddy Israel draws a large rogues' gallery into the same Lake Tahoe operation.
The film frames shootouts, killers, and criminal menace with darkly comic energy and outrageous set pieces.
The plot distributes focus among FBI agents, hitmen, deadly partners, mobsters, and bounty hunters.
The critical reception and plot emphasize unapologetic gunplay, mob violence, abrasive humor, and a predominantly male action register.
Films like Smokin' Aces, and why
Lucky Number Slevin
Shares a hyperactive crime plot, intersecting hitmen, dark comedy, and stylized shootouts.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Combines Tarantino-influenced crime storytelling, eccentric criminals, black humor, and violent converging plotlines.
The Boondock Saints
Features a chaotic criminal ensemble, ruthless assassins, comic brutality, and rapidly escalating action.
Layer Cake
Shares a multi-character crime structure, cynical humor, criminal underworld intrigue, and abrupt bursts of violence.
Movie Details
- Director
- Joe Carnahan
- Release Date
- 2006-12-09
- Runtime
- 109 min
- Rating
- 6.5 / 10 (1900)
Cast
- Ryan Reynolds
- Andy Garcia
- Martin Henderson
- Chris Pine
- Ray Liotta
- Alicia Keys
- Common
- Taraji P. Henson
- Davenia McFadden
- Jeremy Piven
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Smokin' Aces about?
- A protected mob informant becomes the jackpot in a savage, comic free-for-all of assassins, gangsters, and federal agents.
- What is Smokin' Aces like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Smokin' Aces as breakneck, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Smokin' Aces violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Smokin' Aces as graphic.
- What did critics think of Smokin' Aces?
- Critics broadly found the film energetically directed and visually forceful but overstuffed, excessively violent, and short on the wit it borrows from Tarantino-style crime cinema.
- Which films are like Smokin' Aces?
- Films with a similar feel include Lucky Number Slevin, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, The Boondock Saints, and Layer Cake.
- How long is Smokin' Aces?
- Smokin' Aces runs 109 minutes.
- Where can I watch Smokin' Aces?
- In United States, Smokin' Aces streams on Philo, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel.
