Movie Review: 21 (2008, Robert Luketic)

* * * * *

Cast: Jim Sturgess, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, Laurence Fishburne, Aaron Yoo, Liza Lapira, Jacob Pitts
Screenplay: Peter Steinfield & Allan Loeb (Based on the novel “Brining Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions” by Ben Mezrich)
123 minutes / Color

It’s a fact that director Robert Luketic has had some misses (“Monster-in-Law (2004)) but has some very valuable hits too (“Legally Blonde” (2001)). With “21”, we are given another hit. This time, with more spunk, more love and more brains too!

I’m not being bias because it has Jim Sturgess, who I absolutely loved in his first movie “Across the Universe” (2007). But I’m proud he did this movie next because it’s avoiding his type-cast and it was really good. Over-hyping isn’t the word I’m using my “hype”, because the film is more then enjoyable, it’s fantastic!

The film, about 6 M.I.T students counting cards in Vegas, follows the young and bright Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) and his struggle for money and how to get into Harvard Med School. When he shines in Prof. Mickey Rosa’s (Kevin Spacey) math class, he gets an offer he can’t refuse…

Rosa and an ensemble of talented card counters from the same school had formed a team to go to Vegas every weekend and count cards to earn millions. Rosa has one condition however, whatever they earn: he gets 50% of all the proceeds. A little doubtful, Ben joins and promises himself that when he earns the $300,000 he needs for Med School he would stop then and there.

But as Ben gets to Vegas and finally lives the life he was longing, he gets into the highlife and the addiction of gambling and playing black jack. Every weekend they play, party, shop and sleep together (Ben falls for his beautiful teammate Jill (Kate Bosworth) on the job).

As Ben gets richer and richer, he soon slacks off to his problems back in Boston and his friends who care much for him. Soon the cops are on their tail, especially casino specialist Cole Williams (Laurence Fishburne) and Ben and the team boots out Mickey after a brief conflict.

They soon try to earn as much as they can but during that night, the police strike and everyone escapes…except Ben. Ben doesn’t only loose all his money but gets the beating of his life from Cole.

When Ben comes back from his “hell” weekend, he realizes that his whole life is crumbling apart. His friends hate him and Mickey has stolen all the hard earn money he was saving up. He couldn’t leave the experience without a fight and was ready for one more heist.

Ben befriends Mickey and fixes all his problems, he brings the whole team back for Vegas and says that they should earn as much as they can this one night and this one night only. However, when the police comes, Ben and Jill devise a plan and have Mickey ride the wrong escape car. Apparently, Ben had made a deal with Cole to capture Mickey all along for he was one of the biggest gambling criminals of years gone by…

Basically, that’s the story. Though it sounds like another “heist” or “Vegas” movie, don’t be alarmed, because this is way better then the likes of any “Ocean’s” movie. It surprises me such a young cast (expecting Kevin Spacey) could be the likes of George Clooney and Brad Pitt. Oh, I take that back. I’m not surprised.

Being so good, you feel that the cast are already veterans, despite that fact that most of them are just begging their careers. Obviously, Jim Sturgess shines. But Aaron Yoo and Kate Bosworth also make their marks in this movie. Bosworth is sexy, elegant and has showed us a great variety of “disguises” that actually shows of her skills. Though Aaron Yoo, is a bit type-casted, I cannot deny he isn’t a talent.

Jim Sturgess gives an exemplary portrayal of Ben Campbell. Though it doesn’t beat his “Jude” character (and I’m kind of confident to say that I don’t think anything will), he still gives us a character so complex and so entertaining that he’s probably the earliest contenders for awards. How I wish he’s win an Oscar soon!

Spacey, like always tries to gives us his best, but fails. He needs to stop playing the villain. Though he was perfect here, I feel like I’m seeing the same old routines I’ve been seeing since…forever!

Lucketic’s direction surprised me a bit. I wouldn’t have guessed this was his picture until I saw the credits. I mean, if you look at his old lineup of movies, including “Legally Blonde” (2001) and “Win a Date with Tad Hamilton” (2004), this doesn’t look like his type of movie. And I’m glad he’s making a transition to this kind of film. He did a pretty good job and should keep it up.

Vegas is always a beautiful place. But “21” shows it in a young light. It became sexier and much more full of life then we see it in other movies. In “21” not only does the sights an sounds of Vegas indulge us, but the clothes choices and music choices and the cinematography was appealing and perfect. It’s glitzy, it was glamorous, it was fabulous.

Top rap up the review, I’ve got to say that “21” is far jaw-dropping and amazing. But as a 2008 film, it is yet to be beaten. It had great acting and a great plot. I young actors a notable and memorable and they are like Vegas: FULL OF LIFE! Can’t wait to see more of Luketic and Sturgess.