Movie Review

‘21’ hits the jackpot with dynamic cast

Columbia Pictures’ “21” hit the jackpot at the box office this weekend, debuting in the No. 1 spot. Inspired by a true story, “21” played moviegoers for an estimated total of $23.7 million over the last three days. Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) is a brilliant yet shy student at M.I.T. in Boston, whose dream in life is to get into Harvard School of Medicine. We soon find out during Ben’s interview with a Harvard administrator that it’s going to cost Ben quite a bit of money to fulfill his dream. Although he’s been accepted to attend, paying for his schooling is another issue. Ben’s brilliance captures the attention of one of his math professors, Micky Rosa (Kevin Spacey), and soon Ben is recruited to join a group of the school’s most gifted students. These students head to Las Vegas every weekend armed with fake identities and the know-how to turn the odds at blackjack in their favor. The students are Fisher (Jacob Pitts), Kianna (Liza Lapira), Choi (Aaron Yoo) and Ben’s crush, Jill Taylor (Kate Bosworth). In fact, it’s Jill who goes to Ben’s job and entices him to join the group. With Rosa leading the way, they’ve cracked the code by counting cards and employing an intricate system of signals. However, Ben becomes seduced by the money, the Vegas lifestyle, and by Jill, so much that he forgets about a project on which he’s supposed to work with his two friends Miles (Josh Gad) and Cam (Sam Golzari). Soon enough, the casinos’ menacing enforcer Cole Williams (Laurence Fishburne) takes notice of the group of students, particularly Ben. In time, the luck of the students begins to run its course, and everything that Ben has earned becomes in jeopardy. While the premise of “21” was appealing in its trailers, the entire movie turned out to be one of great interest. First thing to note is the great job of casting all of the characters, from awkward and intelligent Ben and seductive Jill, to scheming Micky and tough guy Cole. Every actor/actress fits their role perfectly, and it’s about time someone gets it right. One thing that bothers me about some films is how there is a miscast that shouldn’t have happened. The acting in total was very good and believable. There were times where I felt that Sturgess’ Ben was too awkward for his own good, but made up with desperation in trying to “earn” money for school. Let me tell you that Bosworth steals every scene that she’s in. I found myself getting caught up a little bit in the whirlwind life the students were living while in Vegas, but was then brought back immediately to the realization that they are still college kids. That’s what makes this movie interesting — it can actually bring that excitement to you during the film. So take the gamble and see “21,” as it comes up aces for me at three and a half out of four stars. “21” is rated PG-13 for some violence, and sexual content including partial nudity. Running time is two hours and two minutes. Last week’s No. 1 film, “Dr. Seuss’s Horton Hears A Who” fell to second place with $17.4 million — but eclipsed the $100 million mark in three weeks with $117.3 million. 20th Century Fox’ “Shutter” dropped from the top five from No. 3 to No. 6 with $5.3 million — its ten day total reaching $19.1 million. Warner Bros. “10,000 B.C.” begins its topple down the charts as it lands in No. 7 from No. 5 with $4.8 million. The pre-historic mammoth movie has earned $84.9 million the past month. For more information and show times, contact Regal Cinemas Marketplace 24, 180 Mill Road, Oaks, at 610-666-6697. Dennis J. Wright can be reached at dwright@phoenixvillenews.com.