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21

The climax of this movie built up just like chips on a high-roller poker table.

Movie Details

Rated: PG-13

Run Time: 2 hr 3 min

Release Date: 3/28/2008

Genre: Drama

Writer: Ben Mezrich, Peter Steinfeld, Allan Loeb

Director: Robert Luketic

Watch the Trailer

Synopsis

Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess, Across the Universe) is a highly intelligent MIT student who needs a grip ($300,000 to be exact) to pay for medical school. Uncertain as to what to do, he is persuaded to join the MIT blackjack team by one of his professors. Unknown to anyone, this team isn’t just a social club—they know how to counts cards and predict the best odds of winning. Ben and his team enjoy the high-roller treatment during weekend Vegas trips until their card counting antics start to get noticed.

Review

Intelligence, card counting, spending someone else's money and a good scheme makes for a great trip to Vegas, and pretty good movie. The bright lights of the city, the chips building up on the tables, and a hot, mostly young cast (sorry Spacey) had my eyes opening wide as I watched this exciting movie roll on the big screen.

21 is inspired by a true story of the MIT Blackjack Team and pulls from the book Bringing Down The House (I never read it). We've got Ben Campbell—MIT student—he’s incredibly good with numbers, needs hundreds of thousands of dollars for medical school, doesn't have it, and ironically has absolutely no formula for solving this math problem. This kid is nerdy as can be. Ben spends most of his time studying, working at a men's clothing store Kate Bosworth, Superman Returns) to join their underground Blackjack team headed up by mathematics professor Mickey Rosa (Kevin Spacey, Superman Returns).

Many days of training using verbal and physical codes and counting cards like I've never seen before, Ben and the team make their way to Las Vegas to beat the house. Sounds easy right? Hmm. We must factor in Vegas' finest -- the casino security agents. One in particular, Cole Williams (Laurence Fishburne, all the Matrixes) has a swagger about him, but watch out, he is not to be messed with. I swear he busts out with a Morpheus Matrix move wanting to take down the team.

The real team is predominantly Asian American. I see they flipped the script and made it more plain vanilla (pun intended) and “mainstream”. Of course a couple of Asians were sprinkled in the mix. But, did one have to be a kleptomaniac? Of course the powers that be claim they hired the best lead actor and fit for the movie regardless of race. Mmmmm Hmmmm. Who are they trying kid? The real Jill, her name is Jane Willis, is in a Boston Globe article. She breaks the true story down and how Hollywood, for movie purposes, garnished a bit. Okay, a lot. Go on and check it out. It's pretty good.

21 has a great premise and decent cast. It kept my attention, but this is a good flick for a younger audience and a great movie to wait until video. Be sure to move it to the top of your Netflix queue though. The movie has Vegas looking gooooood, expecially if you have some cheddar cheese to spend.

You know, I could probably give some more information, but what for? I have somewhere to be and I'll let Jane Willis' article give the rest of the scoop. Toodles!


My Rating ~ 3 Reels

3 - Watch during matinee hours (save some $$)

Audience Rating (What's Yours?)