The Movie Guys: Mixed outcome in erratic ‘Reindeer Games’

Friday, Feb. 25, 2000 | 8:54 a.m.

The Movie Guys, starring Jeff Howard and Dave Neil, appears Fridays in the Sun (Movie Buzz written by Thomas Feeney). They can also be seen on the 11 a.m. Friday newscast on KVVU Channel 5. Plus, check them out online at lasvegassun.com/ sun/ sunlife/ movies and themovieguys.com.

Grades: Jeff B, Dave C-.

Starring: Ben Affleck, Charlize Theron, Gary Sinise, Clarence Williams.

Screenplay: Ehren Kruger.

Director: John Frankenheimer.

Rated: R for strong language, nudity, sexual situations and graphic violence.

Running time: 105 minutes.

Playing at: UA Showcase 8, UA Rainbow Promenade 10, UA Green Valley, Rancho Santa Fe 16, Las Vegas Drive-in, Century Orleans, Century Desert 16, Regal Cinemas Sunset Station, Regal Cinemas Colonnade 14, Regal Cinemas Texas Station 18, Regal Cinemas Village Square 18

Synopsis: After being released from prison, all Rudy Duncan (Ben Affleck) wanted was to start a new life with Ashley (Charlize Theron), the girl of his dreams. But between them and happiness stands a team of criminals who are going to force him to take down a casino on Christmas Eve. Just when Rudy and Ashley thought they could start a new life, their entire future is on the line.

Dave: There is nothing like a bunch of dead criminals dressed as Santa Claus with gruesome blood and guts littering the snowfield to rekindle the fondest of holiday memories, let alone to open a film. After all, why is a crime-thriller named after Rudolph and Co. being released in late-February, anyway? Well, before we take issue with any questions concerning the latest action piece by veteran director John Frankenheimer, let's begin by saying that Dimension Films has placed a lot of faith into the project. Something like $60 million-plus -- their biggest budgeted film to date.

Ben Affleck stars as ex-con Rudy Duncan, fresh out of jail after serving three-to-five years for grand theft auto. He wants nothing more than a new start in life and to make it home in time for Christmas dinner with his family. Instead, he adopts the plans of his deceased cellmate Nick (James Frain) that entail a weekend of pleasure with his beautiful pen pal Ashley (Theron). Or so it seemed, until their romance is abruptly halted by her big brother, psycho Gabriel (a buffed-up Gary Sinise), who is looking to rob an Indian gaming casino hidden in the snowy mountains on Christmas Eve.

Jeff: So the stage is set for a fun, fast-paced action film that has as many twists as a pretzel. Granted, the plot twists are unexpected (and at times outlandish), but you expect nothing less as you get a feel for screenwriter Ehren Kruger's tribute to film noir, complete with bad weather, anguished faces and a stunning femme fatale.

The robbery is doomed from the start as Gabriel (played by Sinise in a deliciously evil role) and his ragtag bunch of criminals decide to delay their common practice of running guns in their big rigs and vary their piracy with a little burglary. One problem: They have never performed a robbery, let alone hitting a casino. In true Hitchcock fashion, the plot is fueled on mistaken identity. Rudy is the wrong man, and after numerous attempts to convince Gabriel that he isn't Nick, and that he has never worked as a security guard in the casino they are about to rob, fearing for his life, Rudy throws in the towel. Now, they can finally begin to plan the heist, based on Rudy's knowledge of the casino floor plan. Can you see the comedy?

Dave: No Jeff, I can't see the comedy. Nor did I see the high quality action-suspense I expected from an adrenaline-pumped caper directed by Frankenheimer, who rebounded nicely with last year's underrated "Ronin" after delivering the 1996 catastrophe "The Island of Dr. Moreau." One would think that Affleck's rising star is more than capable of leading the Movies-For-Guys-Who-Like-Movies mentality, except in "Reindeer Games" he is given nothing to prove. With pretentious tattoos decorating his arms and his pathetic demeanor as a hardened criminal, Affleck looks bored and withdrawn as the reluctant hero -- except for the gratuitous lovemaking between him and sultry co-star Theron.

And why does this woman feel the need to take her clothes off in every other one of her movies, anyway? I mean, if her getting naked helped further the plot to any of her films, I may begin to respect her more. But come on already, show us something we haven't seen before, like maybe your acting ability. At least the Oscar nominated "The Cider House Rules" proves she has the direction in her.

Jeff: Affleck is our next action hero, Dave. He may look a little too polished, but he's supposed to. His character Rudy is a likable hero and isn't a hardened criminal like Gabriel and his bunch. He got caught stealing a car for the first time, and got hard time like a career criminal. Very unfair. Without giving away too much, Charlize does put her hidden acting talent to good use, no doubt using cinema's femme fatal Barbara Stanwyck and Veronica Lake as inspiration. As for her nudity, it serves its purpose within the story and she looks good, too. The direction is on target with Frankenheimer's uncanny eye for detail and perfect timing and seems right at home within the action genre.

The dark comedy comes steadily as Rudy feeds bogus information to the gang of amateurs and the final act of the film has classic film noir betrayals (more than any on film on record) that happen within minutes of each other. Corny? Sure, but the audience will love it. Dimension Films has asked us to keep these twists a secret in order for you to be surprised. I'll keep my word. Christmas comes early this year and "Reindeer Games" is the perfect gift for anyone who loves action films entwined with dark humor.

Dave: Go ahead and keep your word, Jeff. I wouldn't waste my description on any outlandish secrets. As I mentioned before, I had anticipated this film to be everything and more from a crime-caper, but instead all I got were lazy escape attempts, miserable plot twists that overshadowed a simple-enough story (a la scribe Kruger, whose "Scream 3" was less than sub par), and a ridiculous "Merry Little Christmas" ending with a final single shot of Affleck enjoying that warm holiday meal after all.

Folks, do yourself a favor and keep Christmas in December, for the only true heist in "Reindeer Games" is the one of the audience's wallets.

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