Loosely based on the casino conquering M.I.T. Blackjack Team of the late 20th century, 21 follows Ben Campbell (Sturgess) and a handful of devilishly intelligent students as they take their intellect and dreams to Vegas, card counting their way to millions of dollars.
Already struggling to pay his way through M.I.T., Ben Campbell is a shy student with big plans, hoping to continue his education at Harvard, only without a scholarship, needs to find $300,000 to foot the bill. After impressing in his math class, professor Micky Rosa (Spacey) drops the perfect opportunity at Ben’s feet.
Introducing Ben to his blackjack team, alongside four other talented students, Micky has developed a card counting technique to help take millions off the Vegas casino’s hands. After an initial emotional tussle, Ben joins the team, vowing to get out after making the $300,000 he needs for Harvard.
Soon falling into the Vegas lifestyle, and falling for teammate Jill Taylor (Bosworth), Ben’s life clicks into the fast lane but with casino security enforcer Cole Williams (Fishburne) on his tail, it’s only a matter of time before everything derails.
Building for a thrilling conclusion, 21 is a slick, suave rollercoaster of a movie, following Ben as he is offered the temptation of Vegas’ glitz and glamour. Despite a number of inaccuracies, the film gives a great impression of the original M.I.T. Blackjack Team, quickly accelerating before racing, non-stop till the end.
The young cast just about cope with the audacious plot with the presence of Kevin Spacey doing wonders to hold the film together and keep things moving along. 21 won’t offer too much more than you’ll find from wonderful TV drama series Hustle, but then it doesn’t especially need to, still trampling all over the latest Oceans movie.
3/5
Accompanying the exciting 21 is an equally marvellous soundtrack, and we’re giving you the chance to win one of five for yourself. Featuring the likes of MGMT, Mark Ronson, Rhianna, LCD Soundsystem and Peter Bjorn and John, 21 offers some of the best, cutting edge music out. To be in with a chance of winning the soundtrack, simply answer the following question:
Which famous phrase often called out when a player wins big in a Vegas casino?
A. Winner winner, chicken dinner
B. Glory glory, the drinks are on me
C. We won, we won, it’s off to KFC
Email your answers to editor@loadmagazine.co.uk, with “21 Competition” as the subject title, or simply click here. Closing date, 25 April 2008.
Also, check out the film’s Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/21/8372044197