Suicide Kings (1998) - Movie Review

There's something just entertaining about crime movies where the criminals just aren't smart enough to do things right, especially when a good cast and a good script is involved.

Suicide Kings, starring Henry Thomas (E.T.), Sean Patrick Flannery, Jay Mohr, Denis Leary, and Christopher Walken, is a real fun movie with comedy and twists. It has its dramatic moments, it definitely has its dark moments, but it also hilarious from beginning to end in a very witty way.

Walken, like usual, dominates the screen, smart and intriguing, yet dark and strangely funny like he always is. Luckily, the rest of the cast does not fold under him like a deck of cards; they compliment him, all working together seamlessly. Every character interaction is a treat.

The story behind Suicide Kings is well done at all. It has some twists and some strange moments, and it is also pretty original.

The only thing up in question is the ending, which I have mixed feelings about. In a way, what happens is deserved, but in another way, it seems a little too serious for the film. However, it isn't that important to the overall plot of the film, so I'm not going to bitch and moan too much.

If you haven't seen Suicide Kings, watch it. It is a great blend of drama, comedy, thriller, and more, and is one of the smarter films I have seen in a long time.

Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.