Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball

Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball is a pulse-pounding, high-octane sequel to the hit 2006 film Smokin' Aces directed by P.J. Pesce, released in 2010. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Tom Berenger (Platoon, Inception), Clayne Crawford (Lethal Weapon, Rectify), Tommy Flanagan (Sons of Anarchy, Gladiator), and Maury Sterling (Homeland, Coherence).

In the spirit of its predecessor, Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball displays a raucous mix of dark humor, intense action sequences and a contagiously energetic narrative. The story pivots around Walter Weed, a low-level desk-bound intelligence analyst working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Played by Tom Berenger, Walter is a quirky, unassuming character — certainly not someone you'd typically consider as an assassin's target — and yet, he finds himself in the crosshairs of an intricate plot.

The movie juggles Walter Weed's increasingly desperate measures to stay alive with introducing a cast of colourful and eccentric professional killers. The delirious, over-the-top action the 'Smokin' Aces' series is known for truly takes the stage when a mysterious employer puts a colossal price on Walter's head, leading to a literal assassins' ball to claim the bounty.

There's a particularly enjoyable energy in watching Clayne Crawford and Tommy Flanagan as deadly assassins with unique styles – Crawford plays a virtuoso of disguise while Flanagan is a sadistic surgeon. They, alongside a slew of other hitmen and women, prove that in the world of Smokin' Aces, danger can come from any corner, no matter how unlikely. Meanwhile, Maury Sterling plays a seriously committed FBI agent tasked with protecting Walter, adding another layer of tension and uncertainty to the proceedings.

A delight of the Smokin' Aces series is that it dares to be different. It blends genres, straddling the intersection of action, thriller, crime, and dark comedy while maintaining a ceaseless pace, and the sequel is no exception. To make matters more fascinating, the film packs outlandish plot twists and quirky character quirks that beautifully echo the eccentricities of the first movie.

The quirky characters, extravagant plotting, and rapid-fire action all come wrapped in an aesthetic that gleefully skewers modern action film clichés while also paying homage to them. The stylistic cinematography amplifies every shot's impact while the high-octane stunts and special effects will keep any action fan glued to the screen.

Seeing the outstanding performances is one of the great joys of this film. Tom Berenger excels as a character who appears ordinary in every way, but simmering beneath the surface is a sense of bravery and resilience. The transformative versatility of Clayne Crawford’s performance and Tommy Flanagan's terrifying intensity make the film's collection of cutthroat killers as engaging as they are fearsome, injecting the film with a sense of dark humour to balance the tension. Maury Sterling convincingly portrays a dogged protector, whose determination offsets the madness spiraling about him, adding a grounded point of identification for viewers amid the thrilling chaos.

Another star of the movie is undoubtedly its locale, which is at once brooding, claustrophobic, yet strangely expansive. This paradox happens because while most of the action unfolds over a single location, the creative and dynamic use of the setting makes each moment feel like a fresh twist, keeping viewers on their toes throughout.

One of the highlights of Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball is its pacing; it imbues a sense of ticking down to 'doomsday,' a timer relentlessly running towards an explosive and exhilarating conclusion, which shall not be spoiled here. The taut tension metal-tested against the resilience of characters and the forceful narrative unleashes a spectacular ride, ensuring no dull moment and leaving viewers enticed till the end.

Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball is a worthy successor to its predecessor. It keeps the essential ingredients that made the first film a standout: relentless action, ethically ambiguous characters, and a plot that unfolds with jarring surprises. For fans of action-packed thrillers littered with nefarious scheming and an array of eccentric characters, this film is an unmissable treat. Moreover, it carries on the spirit of its predecessor wrapped up in a new caper, utterly worthy of the Smokin' Aces name.