21
Bill Geiger on September 7th, 2008
I love Las Vegas. I haven’t been there that many times but the times I have been there I definitely feel like I am in another world. Everywhere you look, the bright lights and all of the people just make you feel more alive in some way, for me at least. It might be the thrill of winning a bunch of money gambling or the fact that you are in a place known for being sin city, and what happens there stays there. Being based on a true story, 21 should provide anyone who visits Las Vegas with the same dream, to make a boatload of cash.
21 follows Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess), an MIT student who is smarter than most. He is recruited by his fellow student, Kate Bosworth in particular. She just happens to be a girl that Ben has dreamed about being with for as long as he can remember. He is asked to join them in a special class that takes place on weekends in Las Vegas. Of course, the training for the class takes place at nights in a classroom within MIT. The professor in charge, Mickey (Kevin Spacey), shows each of his students how they can win boatloads of cash just by counting cards.
The challenge, however, is to stay below the radar of the casino cameras and security. The object, win tons of cash and get out without a whimper. That is easier said than done as it is Cole Williams’ (Lawrence Fishburne) job is to take down those trying to cheat out the casinos of their money. Now, card counting is not illegal, it is just greatly frowned upon and if caught, you can bet Cole is going to teach you a lesson.
That is the task at hand. It is up to Jim and his classmates. Can they get in and get out without all hell breaking loose? Sometimes winning comes at a price.
I really am a big fan of Las Vegas. If I could, I would jump on a plane anytime I felt like it and just go there. Of course, I live in the real world where most people need to work and not waste their time trying to win big gambling. I really enjoyed the story of 21. The acting in the film was quite good and made the film even better. I enjoy most of Kevin Spacey’s work anyway, so that is a positive right off the bat. I was really surprised with how much I liked the performance of Lawrence Fishburne. He played a great spoiler.
Kate Bosworth is just so attractive, watching her on film is as easy as eating a bowl of ice cream. You know it is what you want and without a doubt, you know you are going to enjoy it. Thinking back, with the help of imdb.com, she sure has brown up a lot since Remember the Titans.
I had not seen Jim Sturgess before, although Across the Universe is available on Blu-ray so I may just have to check that out. His performance was quite good as well. He played the not so cool guy but transformed himself into Mr. Las Vegas like it was nothing.
Video
21 is presented on Blu Ray with a 2.40:1 1080P High Definition transfer that is well above average. The Vegas shots are obviously more vibrant than the ones taken place in Boston. The Vegas lights and colors are fantastic with little to no signs of dullness. Skin tones look great. There are absolutely no signs of significant or disruptive grain in the picture. The only grain I did notice was just very minor and you really have to be close to the TV to actually see it.
There were a few instances of softness but nothing to cry about. The only signs of shimmering I noticed was at the very beginning of the film. There is also some minor edge enhancement, but nothing distracting. I just happened to be up close to the picture and noticed it one time. Overall, an impressive transfer.
Audio
Sony has equipped 21 with a fantastic Dolby TrueHD 5.1 English soundtrack. The surrounds are active a bunch throughout the film. The music soundtrack is completely off the charts. Dialogue comes from the front channels as well at times from the surrounds. Bass is used throughout. I was truly impressed with this True HD track. It definitely has the potential to be one of my favorites so far on Blu.
Also included is French and Portuguese in TrueHD 5.1 and Spanish and Thai Dolby Digital 5.1. There are also plenty of subtitle tracks.
Special Features
- 21: The Advantage Player
- The cast of 21 explains the game of blackjack and how it originated. Also, they go through the art of card counting.
- Basic Strategy: A Complete Film Journal – Making-of Featurette
- This goes through, just like many other making-of’s, how the film was shot, how great everyone was and how the film came to be.
- Money Plays: A Tour of the Good Life
- This is a featurette showing the locations where the film was shot, the type of clothes the actors wore.
- Virtual Blackjack
- This is just like any online card game where you can play blackjack for fun.
- BDLive
Final Thoughts
I liked 21. It was easy to like. I felt the acting performances were well above average and the story itself was top notch. Although the Blu-ray lacks the special features one would expected for such a new film, the audio definitely makes up for it. As I stated in the audio review, I was blown away with this track. Mind you, I won’t compare it to I, Robot but, for a non action film, I was totally impressed.
