21

Rating: Null/10 (20 March 2009)

Of course he's going to say no at first. Yes it'll be the girl who sees him alone later and convinces him. Yes he'll replace someone as the hotshot of the team. Yes that someone will feel resentful and, later on, cause a problem. Yes the money and excitement will go to his head. Yes he'll neglect his friends. Yes he'll lose everything when he's on the brink of achieving his goal. Yes it'll all come down to one final big money night. Yes the security guard will help him out. Yes the evil mentor will get his comeuppance. Yes his friends will forgive him when it's all over. Yes he'll learn valuable life lessons. Of course he'll get the girl.
To say this film is formulaic is an understatement; it feels like it was written by a robot.
Without exception, every aspect of this entire production will feel familiar, yet it somehow still just about works. It's not great fun but there is something curiously satisfying about seeing a film with such low ambitions achieving every one of them.