🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Joe Carnahan
- Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller, Drama
- Release year: 2006
- Runtime (length): 1h 49min
- IMDb rating: 6.6/10 (154K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 15%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A magician snitches on the mob and every hitman in the tri-state area shows up at his hotel, turning it into a live-action cartoon with bullets.
🍿 Smokin’ Aces: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Aces Turns Snitch
Buddy “Aces” Israel, a sleazy Las Vegas magician with mob connections, decides to turn state’s evidence against the powerful mob boss Primo Sparazza. Aware of the potential danger, the FBI places Aces in protective custody at a Lake Tahoe hotel penthouse. News of Aces’ decision spreads quickly, attracting the attention of numerous assassins and bounty hunters, all eager to collect the hefty bounty placed on his head by Sparazza.

A Rogues’ Gallery Converges
A colorful cast of characters descends upon Lake Tahoe, each with their own unique set of skills and motivations. Among them are the sadistic Tremor brothers, a pair of deadly female assassins, a master of disguise, and a team of Vegas bail bondsmen looking to bring Aces in for skipping bail. As they converge on the hotel, chaos ensues, leading to intense shootouts and betrayals.

FBI’s Complicated Game
FBI agents Richard Messner and Donald Carruthers are tasked with protecting Aces and bringing him into custody. However, they soon discover that the situation is far more complex than they initially thought. A series of unexpected twists and turns reveal a deeper conspiracy within the FBI itself, jeopardizing not only Aces’ life but also their own.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Buddy Israel (Jeremy Piven): A sleazy Las Vegas magician and wannabe gangster who becomes a target after agreeing to testify against the mob.
- Richard Messner (Ryan Reynolds): An FBI agent assigned to protect Buddy Israel, who becomes disillusioned with the corruption he uncovers.
- Donald Carruthers (Ray Liotta): A seasoned FBI agent and Messner’s partner, who is committed to his duty but becomes a casualty of the mission.
- Primo Sparazza (Joseph Ruskin): The ailing mob boss who puts a bounty on Buddy Israel’s head, setting the events of the film in motion.
- Georgia Sykes (Alicia Keys): One half of a deadly female assassin duo hired to eliminate Buddy Israel.
- Stanley Locke (Andy Garcia): The Deputy Director of the FBI who orchestrates a covert operation with hidden motives.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Buddy ‘Aces’ Israel: “You’re looking at me like, like… I just asked you the fucking square root of something.” – Aces says this line to express his frustration with someone’s confused reaction to something he said.
- Richard Messner: “Talk to me like a man!” – Agent Messner exclaims this in a moment of intense frustration and anger.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $17,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $35,787,686
- Worldwide Gross: $57,232,879
💥 Smokin’ Aces Reviews
Personal Review
I remember seeing ‘Smokin’ Aces’ when it first came out and being blown away by the sheer chaos and the cast. Jeremy Piven was perfectly over-the-top. The action sequences had so much creativity, and the twist at the end, while divisive, stuck with me. When Ray Liotta died, it hit hard. The movie’s a rollercoaster of insanity, and I enjoyed every second of it.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of crime thrillers with ensemble casts”
- “Viewers who enjoy stylized action sequences”
- “Those who appreciate films with unexpected plot twists”
- “People looking for movies similar to Guy Ritchie’s or Quentin Tarantino’s work”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence and gore”
- “Strong language”
- “Sexual content and nudity”
- “Drug use”
Professional Reviews
- Slash Film: “Love Hurts Review: Good-Enough Action Barely Propels This Unfunny But Affable Fight Comedy. Smokin Aces gets a slightly lower rating.
- IMDb: “Smokin Aces offers a lot of style and an amazing cast of characters. Unfortunately at the beginning, everything in ‘Aces’ is a bit of a jumbled mess. Back to back flashback narratives explaining everything up until the present do not let up and may cause some viewers to stop and think twice about what was just said
- IMDb: “Smokin Aces is TERRIBLE, but its almost worth seeing. We are introduced to around 20 characters, in the first 5 minutes; by each character having a still shot of them with their name and occupation subtitled. Cinematography is also poor with little innovative shots, sticking only to basics
Audience Reactions
The ensemble cast makes this movie a worthwhile watch.: Viewers praised the action and unique style, while some found the plot convoluted.
The action-packed scenes.: Many users found the action and creative violence captivating.
Overall Consensus: The film is a polarizing experience. Some find it a stylish and entertaining action flick, while others find it convoluted, with too much style over substance.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “All the conversations by Agent Carruthers (Ray Liotta) and Agent Messner (Ryan Reynolds) in the surveillance van scene were improvised, adding to the film’s natural and gritty feel.”
- “The film’s stylized violence and ensemble cast of quirky characters draw heavily from the works of Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie, creating a unique blend of crime and dark humor.”
- “The high body count and the complex web of assassins were intended to create a chaotic and unpredictable atmosphere, mirroring the high-stakes world of organized crime.”
🖥️ How to Watch Smokin’ Aces?
As of today, you can rent or purchase Smokin’ Aces on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. It is not currently available on major subscription-based streaming services like Netflix or Hulu. Check local listings for possible broadcast showings. For those who prefer physical media, the Blu-ray and DVD versions offer extra features and are available for purchase online and in stores. Use services like JustWatch to find updated streaming and purchasing options.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Smokin’ Aces, you might like these similar films:
- Pulp Fiction (1994): Similar non-linear narrative, dark humor, and stylized violence with an ensemble cast of memorable characters.
- Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998): Features a similar fast-paced plot with quirky characters and a darkly comedic tone in a crime-filled setting.
- The Way of the Gun (2000): Features violence, shootouts, and plot twists.
- Shoot ‘Em Up (2007): Features an all-out action, violence, and gunplay.
🛒 Smokin’ Aces Related Products
- Smokin’ Aces (Blu-ray): Own the explosive action of Smokin’ Aces in high definition. Includes bonus features, deleted scenes, and behind-the-scenes footage.
- Smokin’ Aces Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the official movie poster. Perfect for decorating a home theater or adding to a movie memorabilia collection.
- Ace Card Set: Playing cards with an Ace of Spades theme. Made with luxury card stock. Poker size.
- Gangster Movie Collection (DVD): A collection of classic and modern gangster films, including ‘Goodfellas’ and ‘Casino’.
🎧 Soundtrack
Smokin’ Aces features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Smokin’ Aces is a crime thriller centered around a Las Vegas magician who becomes a target for numerous assassins after deciding to testify against the mob. The FBI attempts to protect him, but chaos ensues as various hitmen converge to collect a hefty bounty.
The film features a diverse array of assassins, including the psychotic Tremor brothers, the deadly female hit team of Sharice Watters and Georgia Sykes, and the master of disguise Lazlo Soot. Each assassin has their own unique methods and motivations for pursuing Aces.
The film’s twist reveals that the mob boss Primo Sparazza is actually an FBI agent named Freeman Heller, who went undercover and was presumed dead. He needs Aces’ heart for a transplant, as Aces is his son. This revelation exposes corruption within the FBI and adds a layer of complexity to the story.
🔥 Bonus Content
Best Modern Sniper Movie Moments
Get ready for some adrenaline-pumping action! This compilation includes a thrilling sniper scene from Smokin’ Aces. It’s a must-watch for fans of the movie and action enthusiasts.
WTF Happened to SMOKIN’ ACES (2006)?
Dive into the fascinating story behind Smokin’ Aces! This video explores the movie’s production, cast, and its journey to becoming a cult classic.
✨ Rate
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one.