Reindeer Games (2000)

Director:

John Frankenheimer

Writer (WGA):

Ehren Kruger (written by)

Release Date:

25 February 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

The trap is set. The game is on.

Plot:

After assuming his dead cellmate's identity to get with his girlfriend, an ex-con finds himself the reluctant participant in a casino heist.

Plot Keywords:

Casino | Prison | Car Thief | Heist | Prison Riot

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Ben Affleck	...	Rudy Duncan
James Frain	...	Nick
Dana Stubblefield	...	The Alamo
Mark Acheson	...	Mean Guard
Tom Heaton	...	Ugly Staffer
Isaac Hayes	...	Zook
Michael Sunczyk	...	Distant Inmate #1
Douglas Arthurs	...	Distant Inmate #2 (as Douglas H. Arthurs)
Dean Wray	...	Guard #1
Ron Sauvé	...	Guard #2 (as Ron Sauve)
Ron Jeremy	...	Prisoner #1 (as Ron Hyatt)
Hrothgar Mathews	...	Exit Guard
Charlize Theron	...	Ashley
Clarence Williams III	...	Merlin
Donal Logue	...	Pug

Also Known As:

Deception (UK) (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence, language and sexuality.

Runtime:

104 min | 124 min (director's cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Singapore:M18 | Brazil:18 | Singapore:PG (cut) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Malaysia:18PL | Malaysia:U (cut) | Iceland:16 | Canada:14A (Canadian Home Video rating) | USA:R (NO. 37239) | South Africa:16LV | New Zealand:R16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Chile:18 | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-16 | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Germany:18 (director's cut) | Hong Kong:IIB | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | Philippines:R-18

Filming Locations:

Lion's Gate Studios, North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Dimension Films

Trivia:

During the scene where Dana Stubblefield stabs Ben Affleck, Stubbie accidentally knocked Affleck down, causing a concussion. Filming had to be halted while Affleck recovered.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Rudy (Ben Affleck) is trying to hot wire the car you can see the ignition is in the "on" position. Plus the car could not be taken out of "park" without the key being unlocked.

Quotes:

Rudy Duncan: Rule one! Never put a car thief behind the wheel!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Ben Affleck/Fiona Apple (#25.13)" (2000)

Soundtrack:

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Very Well Done Action Flick

This is one of the great actions flicks that is completely underrated on IMDb. Great plot twists, great acting, great actors, great story. This movie kept me enthralled the whole way. It was when Affleck still had his charisma from Good Will Hunting. Charlize Theron dazzles us with her smile and charm and Gary Sinise is sinister as the intimidating "older brother". My only complaint was there were one too many plot twists in the end. Otherwise, settle in for a smooth ride.

My favorite part of this movie are the prison sequences at the start and the final scenes. The prison sequence was very well done and Affleck is immediately identifiable as the likable car jacker. The final scenes are a great touch after the explosions, a nice touch to an enjoyable film. Sinise's fellow gang members are excellent as well, their intimidation tactics and craziness well transmitted to the screen.

See this movie around Christmas time. It may hold some more value.