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21 [2008]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

An unconvincing exercise in moral complexity, 21 is based on Ben Mezrich's book Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions. Jim Sturgess (Across the Universe) plays brilliant blue collar scholar Ben Campbell, whose doubts that he'll win a scholarship to Harvard Medical School compel him to join a secret, M.I.T. gang of math whiz kids. Under the silky but chilling command of a math professor (Kevin Spacey), Jim and the others master card counting --the statistical analysis of cards dealt in blackjack games. The team lives a humdrum existence during the week, but on weekends in Sin City the students are rolling in cash, frequenting exclusive clubs and feeling on top of the world. Ben even gets the girl: a comely fellow card counter played by Kate Bosworth. Despite all the success, Ben feels ethically compromised and indeed director Robert Luketic (Legally Blonde, Across the Universe), in the old tradition of American movies, plays it both ways where fun vices are concerned. On the one hand, it feels so good --on the other, ahem, we know it's wrong. That studied ambivalence proves wearing after a while, making the most interesting character in the film a casino watchdog played by Laurence Fishburne. A master at reading the emotions of gamblers beating the house with a scam, he's admirable for being good at his job, but repellent for wrecking the faces of counters in casino dungeons. He's all about moral complexity in the tradition of anti-heroes, and a truly provocative element in an otherwise superficial movie. --Tom Keogh


21
Review date: 2008-11-08 Rating: 8 out of 10

'21' is a good film looking at a group of college students who engage in a card counting 'scam' in Vegas. Based on true events you can't help but be impressed by the skill involved and very quickly you are drawn in to the idea and how they go about it. The performances are all pretty solid and this film is also well directed. This is one of those films you don't have to think too hard for and can just sit back and enjoy the ride. It's not earth shaking, but nor does it try to be. It's just a good film with an interesting idea and enough twists and turns to keep you engaged for the duration. Worth a look.

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Reviews


Bust
Review date: 2008-10-25 Rating: 4 out of 10

I wasn't bowled over by this story of MIT nerds getting rich on Blackjack. The concept is good as I am sure the book the film is based on, but I found myself drifting off at times. Perhaps this is because I couldn't connect with most of the characters, including the normally excellent Kevin Spacey. Laurence Fishburne was the only real star for me.

It's not as good as the book
Review date: 2008-10-20 Rating: 8 out of 10

I am glad that there is a message at the beginning of the film that this was inspired by the book, Bringing Down the House, and it didn't say based on. The film is not as good as the book, which is fantastic, but it is a very entertaining movie in itself.

It would be impossible for the director to fit the book into a film of roughly 2 hours long but what has been left in is brilliant. The film is engaging and at times can be a real adrenaline rush (if you don't know what is going to happen). It did seem a bit rushed at times and there wasn't enough time to work on the characters more but it was an excellent overview of the book.

Overall 4 out of 5 because it is a great film on its own. The only gripe is that it is lacking many bits of the book that would make this a 5 star film.

Loosely Built On True Events
Review date: 2008-10-04 Rating: 10 out of 10

Jim Sturgess sits alongside Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth and others in an adaptation of events in the 1990's that allowed MIT students to form an elaborate scheme to beat the casinos out of millions.

The real-life events are loosely similar. The head guy WAS a guy called Mikey. There was a fall-out and the top guy, who was not American but Russian, went on to run his own team, and remains active to this day. The beat downs in the film, are to what I have seen on documentaries and read about, are a little overstated for plot purposes. One pro poker player who was a part, at some point of the MIT team is Andy Bloch. Search for "Breaking Vegas" on pokertube to watch the true story accounts.

The film itself is well-acted by Sturgress. I personally found Ben Campbells rise to the top of the team solely down to his math skills a little hard to take seriously, and the fact when resistance is met by a team member he is excluded with no further mention. The end sequence explains and ties everything together cleverly, and explains the technique of commmentary by Campbell throughout. An excellent performance by Sturgess, and he has a big future in film. I think this film could have been stretched out a little, with more development of his friends becoming involved or starting his own team. I did feel it was a little rushed, or perhaps because I wanted more this was a good thing. Open for a sequel, but unlikely due to how it ends.

But definitely a film worth watching and I think, buying for your collection.

A safe bet
Review date: 2008-09-28 Rating: 6 out of 10

Eagerly anticipated this movie to see if it did the excellent book justice - overall it just about does, although carnt help feeling that it only skims the surface of the written version. That aside its entertaining and does a good job in portraying the highs and lows of Vegas. Overall its well acted -esp Kevin Spacey.
If youve read and enjoyed the book you'll like it but prepare to be slightly disappointed, if you havent sit back and enjoy the ride.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Jim Sturgess
Kate Bosworth
Kevin Spacey
Laurence Fishburne

Creators:
Jim Sturgess (Primary Contributor)
Laurence Fishburne (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
EAN: 5035822893030
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-09-08
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 119 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2008
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)

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