21
Struggling to come up with his MIT tuition, Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) turns to one of his professors (Kevin Spacey), who trains him and five fellow students to become card-counting experts, with the intent of swindling millions of dollars out of Vegas casinos. The film is based on the nonfiction best-seller Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions.
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» Reviewed by 13 people
One of my biggest complaints is a movie that feels like a long trailer. Seriously, if youve seen the preview youve seen this movie. That aside there is other problems. The story overall is predictable. There is one redeeming twist at the end but overall no surprises here. The film also suffers from horrible characters. Each one spends so much time trying to be another personality you find yourself detached. Even when theyre being themselves they appear generic and unoriginal. While Im sure the book and the actual events were entertaining, this movie is not.- jAAAsh
Sadly, I was quite disappointed with this movie. I like most of the cast in their other roles and have seen quite a bit about the MIT card counters on various documentaries. I figured that this was right up my alley! While 21 is a passable movie, I was really disappointed by the fact that it was not a period piece (the original card counters were in the 70s, if I remember correctly). I think modernizing a famous story like this was a bad move. "Based on a true story" is a popular phrase and this was REALLY one of those that was just "based". All of the names were changed, the races of the characters were all different, and at the end of the day, the film's insinuation that the MIT counters could pull this off today came off as dumb and unrealistic. The film's climax comes off as a cheap "OCEAN'S 11"-style rip-off and was a letdown. For a much better version of the story, I would recommend catching on of the many TV documentaries on the subject. The real story is a whole lot better than this! 2.75 stars.
- Adam M.
While not critically acclaimed or an award winning film, the highly entertaining movie featured a great cast and compelling story. If you want an award winner, this is not for you. If you want great entertainment and a fun movie, check it out.
- Eric1985
Another great plot Hollywood decided they had to dumb down. A lot of time wasted explaining basic counting and blackjack strategy that anybody interested in this movie has known since they were 5. MIT students using the simplest counting method? Let's be serious. There are other advanced counting methods which would be more effective and make the study sessions scenes more believable, MIT students aren't spending hours going over basic counting, nor are they arguing would splitting 8s with a 10 showing, the movie's childish and assumes the audience is retarded.
- Scorbutic
Is 21 an enjoyable movie? Yes. Is it great cinema? I wouldn't call it that... but it is enjoyable. The young stars are appealing. Spacey and Fishburne really aren't stretched here. But superior acting and fine film-crafting aren't the point of 21. The point is the thrill of young geniuses "Taking Vegas Baby!" Does 21 succeed at that? Almost. The pacing is decent, but I personally think another 5-10 minutes could have been cut from the second half to add to the excitement. Do I recommend 21? Did you like Oceans, Snatch, etc? If you did, you'll probably like this too. If your taste runs towards weighty art films, you can skip this one.
- angie19130
"21" was a pleasant surprise. After having disappointing reviews, I did not have high expectations. But, with Kevin Spacey in a lead role ("Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" and "American Beauty") and Kate Bosworth ("Beyond the Sea"), I wanted to see it. Despite the negative reviews, this was an entertaining, worthwhile movie. The story was intriguing--an exceptionally bright, nerdy student learning how to play blackjack and beating the odds--and seeing the world from a different perspective than most college students. Kate Bosworth was stunning--and a good actress--in the role of one of the most desirable women on campus and who gives some grounding to the main character played by Jim Sturgess. Kevin Spacey is convincing as a self-absorbed college professor recruiting exceptional college students to learn how to win in Las Vegas at the feet of the self-serving teacher and using their talent to enrich his personal bank account. The story is interesting; the plot has a unique twist and the audience gets to enjoy 100 minutes of an entertaining film--despite the lack of critical acclaim.
- AtTheBeach
This is entertaining enough, but ultimately pretty empty. All of the plot twists are telegraphed well ahead of time. The actors are competent, but no one turns in career performances. Overall it is a fun enough movie to merit spending 2 hours on, but not one that is particularly memorable after it is over.
- Brody
Apparently a loose adaptation of the original non-fiction book the film is based upon, 21 is more entertaining than historical. Still, the unlikely story is enjoyable enough and the characters moderately interesting. The cast features some fairly new faces but they're all pretty good. And even if a bit underused, Fishburne's talent and Spacey's villainous charisma occasionally dazzle. In the end, 21 never exceeds the demands of a standard popcorn flick but isn't exactly disappointing either. Audiences not overly critical of the implausible plot or other minor flaws should find something to like here; 3.5 stars.
- Creeper
[reviewed Nov '08] Clearly I enjoyed this movie far more than most of my peers. I love Mathematics. I actually enjoyed Finite Mathematics in college studying number theory. That is not why I liked the movie, though the math and numbers are cool. I loved the character. This is a fantasy of many smart young boys like I was. (and girls too I presume but the lead is male). The fantasy to take your gifts and go live on the edge. What fun! The truth is you don't need to be a genius to count cards. Studying higher level math is irrelevant. They subtly point it out in the film too, its simple addition, only requiring concentration and control; IQ is not required though that angle is played up in the film. Hey, a thug like Fishburne's character can do it so can you =). Jim Sturgess was phenomenal. All the young geniuses in the film were brilliant (pun intended). Kate Bosworth always pleasing to see. Spacey was a great choice. simple role. suitable. Laurence Fishburne felt a bit awkward in this one but not too bad. The movie watches a bit like a "cerebral teen heist" film. It is narrated as a flash back and has a great ending. This is certainly not for everyone but if you like the teen heist to get to college type movies. OR if you like math and love Vegas. OR if you simply like cards, this movie may be right for you. Check it out. Hope this is Helpful!
- Phatz
Full of loathesome characters, predictable plotlines and templatized storytelling. The real-life story of the MIT Students who took Vegas for millions must have been way more interesting than this. The excitement should have come from the card playing and the thrill of the scam, but instead, the large bag of popcorn and Junior Mints in my lap were way more entertaining. 21 forgets it's a casino film and bases its payoff on the confrontation of the human enemies at the end of the film, rather than on man versus Vegas. We all dream of beating Vegas at its own game, but that part of the story was basically glossed over.
- Frank W
21 has made me interested in reading the nonfiction book it was based upon, which I'm betting has little in common with what I just watched. Interesting concept, some decent acting, and a contrived ending that stinks of Hollywood script doctoring. The entire Lawrence Fishburne story arc seems implausible to me, an attempt to generate tension and opposition where it didn't exist. Or at least didn't exist in such a personified form. This one is okay for a one-time viewing. [07-25-08]
- Firewater
Not a bad couple hours of escapism. Nerdy, smart kid finds fun and excitement outside school. Kind of a cool internship with Spacey as the mentor (he's good but his part is too small), Bosworth as the love interest, and Fishburne as the foil. If you like gambling or Las Vegas, you will likely enjoy this very mainstream film as I did. 9/08
- Skorpean
Full of suspense, action, intrigue, wonder, and disbelief! I read the book, but figured Hollywood would take liberties. They did, but I didn't care. The movie was quick-paced and entertaining. There were even a few twists that made it more interesting. Isn't this everyone's dream - to hit it big in Vegas? Sure it is! The fact that a team of young people from MIT actually did it some years ago when it was still possible to pull it off is somehow satisfiying. You're not cheering for the casinos, you're cheering for the card counters! Kate Bosworth never looked better and Kevin Spacey stole the show - again. We used to live in LV, so it was fun to see "The Strip" again!
- Southern Belle 1