21

21 is a caper flick with routine, style, and young talented stars. It’s the Ocean’s 11 for the young generation. Jim Sturgess is a young British star on the rise with performances in Across the Universe and The Other Boleyn Girl, and he’s very talented. But this cements his appeal, he gives the best performance in the film, even against Kevin Spacey.

Ben Campbell is a brilliant young MIT student who aspires to get into Harvard Medical School, but he simply doesn’t have the money. But when his professor teaches him card counting and adds him to the MIT blackjack team – they go to Vegas every weekend and make millions. Ben begins a romance with fellow card-counter Jill, and becomes consumed by the money he makes. But when he is betrayed and beaten, he loses everything and must make a huge comeback.

Can he?

Jim Sturgess is one of the best new actors out there, and with the exceptional cast everywhere else and the witty script it is the most entertaining movie so far this year. But it doesn’t come without flaws. The characters are made of cardboard generally, and many stereotypes are used. And with the giant double-cross at the end, it just never convinces at times.

Overall, great popcorn-flick with a good cast and script, just unrealistic. B+