| |
RATING:   
SINGAPORE : If you hated Mathematics in school, the movie "21" may just change your mind about the subject. Because in this show, Math + Cards = Big Money.
Inspired by the true story of the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Blackjack Team, Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) is a brilliant student awaiting admission into Harvard Medical School, but needed some US$300,000 to pay for his tuition fees.
After impressing his professor Mickey Rosa (Kevin Spacey) by solving the famous Monty Hall Problem in his non-linear equations class, Mickey ropes Ben into his crew of student swindlers, with an indecent proposal for him to make big, easy money through card counting.
The team heads over to Las Vegas to make a killing, cheating the dealers at Blackjack, also known as 21.
But wealth leads to greed, and a cocky attitude soon exposes Ben's scamming methods, and he faces the prospect of losing everything – the money he has swindled and the girl of his dreams, Jill (Kate Bosworth).
The math genius must use all his wit and cunning to escape Casino security officers hot on his trial, and protect his assets, all in time to enroll into medical school.
It has been quite sometime since Hollywood has churned out a casino-fleecing movie, the most recent being the Ocean’s series (Ocean’s Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen).
Fans of the Ocean’s series will no doubt enjoy this film, as the gist of the story is pretty much similar: a crew of smug smart-alecs who outwits the Casinos and goes on to make ridiculous amounts of money.
But having said that, the show pales in comparison as the Ocean’s series is simply too tough to beat, not just because of its multi-million dollar cast but also because of a clever storyline that hardly leaves anything to chance.
While "21" has a well-produced script, its storyline is under developed, and even the twist towards the end seems a little weak and predictable. However, a decent cast and excellent cinematography pretty much saves the movie.
Newcomer Jim Sturgess (Across the Universe, The Other Boleyn Girl) steals the show as an underdog – starring as a geek who becomes a hotshot Blackjack ace brimming with cocky confidence and scoring not just in grades, but with also with girls.
Academy-award-winning actor Kevin Spacey (Superman Returns, American Beauty) plays a supporting role, but sizzles up the screen every time he appears as the conniving, hateful mastermind with a selfish agenda.
Sadly, the same praises cannot be said for female lead Kate Bosworth (Blue Crush, Rules of Attraction), who is merely there as eye candy and a conscious-picking love interest for Ben.
Like all card games, the process can be rather exciting. But if Blackjack is not your game, the show may prove confusing during the card counting process.
The entire film is superbly shot and framed, with many stylish close-ups and vibrant images of LA’s deceptively glitzy and glamourous appeal. Safe to say, there isn’t a dull moment in "21".
Adrenaline-charged cat and mouse games in the scenic Las Vegas, the lure of Blackjack, and hot leading characters thrown into the mix, but minus a so-so storyline... Is the show worth your money? Well, you do the math.
- CNA/yb
|
