Cast
View All
Tom Berenger
as Walter Weed
Clayne Crawford
as Agent Baker
Tommy Flanagan
as Lazlo Soot
Maury Sterling
as Lester Tremor
Martha Higareda
as Ariella Martinez
Christopher Michael Holley
as Malcolm Little
Ernie Hudson
as Anthony Vejar
Michael Parks
as Fritz Tremor
Autumn Reeser
as Kaitlyn 'AK-47' Tremor
Vinnie Jones
as Finbar McTeague
Hrothgar Mathews
as Agent Redstone
Jared Keeso
as Agent Nicholas
Jason Schombing
as Agent Abrego
David Richmond-Peck
as Agent Dumare
C. Ernst Harth
as Baby Boy Tremor
Crew
Director
- P.J. Pesce
Producer
- Mike Elliott
Reviews
Gimly
Pretty loosely connected to the first movie. Also much **much** worse. I know the original _Smokin' Aces_ isn't exactly _Citizen Kane_, but it's a good time as far as I'm concerned. _Assassin's Ball_ is not so much. It spends so much of its time imitating things people liked about the first movie, which only makes it more obvious that it's worse. You wouldn't have to worry about being called a pale imitation if you did more than just imitate. What's more, poorly. I guess the quote unquote twist at the end was a little bit better in this one than the last, but it was revealed in so much poorer a way that you don't really notice. There's still the guns and whatnot that I guess are most vital, so it's not like it's worthless, it's just poorly made.
_Final rating:★★½ - Had a lot that appealed to me, didn’t quite work as a whole._
Sep 1, 2019
Thematic Analysis
This high-octane Action/Comedy film balances spectacular sequences with character-driven moments. Unlike many films in the genre, Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball distinguishes itself through a unique visual style and creative action choreography.
Director P.J. Pesce brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2010, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball took approximately 23 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $8.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 86 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 143 minutes long.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The musical score contains over 66 unique compositions.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 7 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 2010, when this film is released:
- Political polarization was intensifying in many countries.
- Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Big Momma's House, which focuses more on action than character development, Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Dominique and Ichi the Killer explore similar territory, Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: January 19, 2010
- Runtime: 1h 26m
- Budget: $8,000,000
