21: A Review

So I went to see 21 last night. I know, I know, opening night. I must have been really excited! Actually, now that I have a DVR, I find that I have no idea what movies come out or when they do, so this one I probably wouldn’t have known was opening if not for Jared talking about it for a week prior and making me get there a half hour early “so we could get good seats.” Well the theater didn’t fill up, but I did see about 15 Lexus ads and one for Skittles that was pretty funny. I think the most notable thing of my pre-movie experience though, was being denied student price for the first time, ever. Yeah, so my ID is expired and broken in half, but usually for their $8 an hour, the movie theater employees don’t really give a shit and I get my $2 discount. Last night though, I happened upon the one dude on a power trip who actually looked at my ID and said “this says valid until 2001.” Now obviously I thought to say “a lot of people go to college for seven years” after I was already in the theater, but that would have been funny.

Ok, about the film. I had read the book it was LOOSELY based on, Bringing Down the House, awhile back so I knew the basic premise. MIT smartie pants count cards; win big! But the movie of course included a lot more than that, such as a romance with Kate Bosworth’s ridiculously flat bob, and some twists in loyalty of the other characters. Basically they added a “story line.” Unfortunately, the story included some major lapses and was at times confusing (such as, how does the girl who just sits at a table and bets the minimum gets comped a high roller suite?) Maybe I am nitpicking, but there were a few other instances that required a bit too much suspension of my imaginary puissance for my taste. Also I couldn’t help but wonder how the real professor that led their group felt about how he was portrayed. I won’t ruin it for you, but you know, it wasn’t that nice.

Overall, the movie was entertaining, the cast was attractive, and if I wasn’t so damn cynical, I probably would have found in quite enjoyable. Actually, I think the fact that I got denied my student discount tainted the whole experience for me. Damn you Eastport Cinema!