"Reindeer Games" review

Reindeer Games (2000)

Directed by John Frankenheimer
Writing credits Ehren Kruger

Ben Affleck.... Rudy Duncan
Gary Sinise.... Gabriel Mercer
Charlize Theron.... Ashley Mercer
Dennis Farina.... Jack Bangs

I saw this one with my dad. He usually ends up enjoying most movies he sees. If you ask him, "What did you think of the movie?", he'll pause for a second and then say, "I liked it." When we walked out of "Reindeer Games", I turned to him and asked him what he thought about the movie. There was a slight pause and he said, "It sucked."

"Reindeer Games" is one of those twisty action/thrillers that is too twisty for its own good. It twists and twists until it breaks its own neck. Affleck gets out of prison and runs into a beautiful blonde, (Theron). She wants Affleck to play some Blonde Games. Affleck can't say yes fast enough.

What is the deeper meaning of "Reindeer Games"? Is there one? Is it saying that if a beautiful blonde comes on to you for no good reason your goose is cooked? Beware of Blondes and their Blonde Games! True words of wisdom indeed.

The ending is what twists this movie's head off and caused my dad to despise it. In fairness, I have to give the movie credit for a decent shootout scene in the casino. But overall, "Reindeer Games" is just too asinine to be taken seriously. Or enjoyed.

SCORE: 1.5 out of 4 Blonde Games