There’s something about the world of the casino, with all its glitz, glamour, and mystery, that makes it a really appealing setting and backdrop for movie directors. Sometimes, this really works and we get treated to high-stakes, intense scenes like those we see in James Bond, Casino Royale, or Ocean’s 11. Other times, however, these casino films just come across as cheesy, or like they are trying too hard to be something they simply aren’t. In this article, I’ll explore some of the most over-hyped casino movies, examining why these titles just aren’t worth your time.
Number One: Runner Runner (2013)
Runner Runner could have been a great film. Unlike most other casino movies, this one focused on the world of online casino gaming rather than the traditional casino experience. However, rather than depicting the highly regulated, safe, and secure gambling scene that is revealed in esportsinsider’s NV casino insights, alongside insights from other global online casino markets in the US, CA, and the UK, this film portrayed the online casino world as a web of organized crime.
Now, of course, movies do get a degree of creative license, and although it isn’t true, there has been a longstanding association with the casino world and intricate crime groups like the mafia. The problem with Runner Runner, however, comes from the fact that it just doesn’t pull it off. There is no depth to the narrative, and the main characters, played by Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck, just don’t seem to work well together on the screen, leaving the movie flat and fans wishing for something with a little more substance.
Number Two: Ocean’s Twelve (2004)
This is a prime example of movie producers wanting to capitalize on the success of their first film, but not putting the same amount of work into the second. Ocean’s 11 is a brilliant film, and paved the way for countless more heist-related media to come after. However, Ocean’s 12 just couldn’t live up to its predecessor, despite the returning famous cast. The biggest problem with this film, according to critics and reviews, is its plot. The film just went over the top in what it was trying to do, crafting a confusing and disjointed plot that led to many people calling it out as ‘cheesy’ or even sometimes ‘dull.’
Number Three: Hangover Three (2013)
Yet again, we have a movie that shouldn’t have been made. The original Hangover movie was very well received; it was clever yet simple and undeniably hilarious. Hangover Two did even better and was the eighth-highest-grossing film in 2011, the year of its release. However, the cracks were already beginning to show with the release of the second film, with many reviews saying it was too similar to the first film, and that the plot and ideas seemed lazy.
The movie producers should have stopped there, accepted that their idea had run its course, and left with their heads held high from the success of the two Hangover films. Instead, they created Hangover 3. This sequel was terrible, it abandoned the memory loss plot that had made the last two films and instead depicted a strange and convoluted kidnapping plot that was worlds away from what the franchise was loved for. There were various scenes in Las Vegas and an extended scene within a casino towards the end, but much of the casino-related shenanigans that made the first film such a hit were missing.
Number Four: Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015)
The first Paul Blart: Mall Cop didn’t exactly do anything exceptional, but it was a simple film with a simple plot, and it pulled it off well. It was a comedy that achieved what it set out to do and made people laugh. But once again, a sequel was made to try and carry on this fame, and instead ruined it. Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 takes place in a real casino, but the plot is over-dramatic and convoluted, and missing a lot of the original humor that made the first installment so likable.
Conclusion
I can see why casinos seem such a tantalizing setting for movie producers. These places offer a lot of content and avenues to explore in narrative, but they need to be taken seriously in order to work. Even if the film is a comedy, just placing it in a casino isn’t going to do anything to fix a bad plot, subpar acting, or convoluted narrative. Movies set in casinos need to be taken seriously to work, and they certainly aren’t a place to set a sequel film just to capitalize on the success of the first.