Reindeer Games

Friday, February 25th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

"Reindeer Games" dashes through the snow, frequently in a zigzag fashion, but it reaches its destination. With more flash than substance, it's an enjoyable trek through double and triple crosses.

The new thriller reconfirms the Everyman appeal of Ben Affleck, the friendly siren's call of Charlize Theron and the undiluted villainy of Gary Sinise. Above all, "Reindeer Games" reconfirms the talent of director John Frankenheimer.

You may not always know where the movie is taking you, but you're still confident that the chase is designed by a master navigator. The film's action sequences explode with excitement as well as a clarity that's often missing from contemporary action vignettes.

There is, however, also a plot, one that's filled with arabesque twists. It contains far too many surprises for its own good. Yet Mr. Frankenheimer makes each outlandish revelation seem like part of a natural flow.
The spinning storyline revolves around Rudy Duncan (Mr. Affleck), whose name invites comparison with the red-nosed Rudolph, chosen to drive Santa's sleigh. But Rudy doesn't want to be anyone's chosen reindeer. Fresh out of a five-year prison stint, Rudy just wants to settle down with alluring Ashley (Ms. Theron), his pen pal while incarcerated.

(Actually, their relationship isn't as simple as that. In "Reindeer Games," nothing is simple.)
But Ashley's sinister brother Gabriel (Mr. Sinise) has different plans. He and his henchmen force the hapless Rudy to perform a heist on a Las Vegas casino. Hoping to outwit Gabriel and his gang, Rudy must learn to think on his feet ? and keep those feet moving at all times.

The movie contains various punchings, shootings, stabbings and other assorted mayhem, all performed to the tune of Christmas carols. It is, after all, the holiday season.

All the performances are solid, but a special word should be said for Ms. Theron. She has the ability to go from naughty to nice, from sweet to sour, without missing a beat. She enchants the audience much as she enchants Mr. Affleck.

Mr. Affleck is a good, serviceable but, at this point, not overwhelming actor. Mr. Sinise remains one of the last people you'd want to meet in a dark alley.

Mr. Frankenheimer's earlier credits include "The Manchurian Candidate," "The Fixer," "Birdman of Alcatraz" and "Seven Days in May." Despite its consistently crunchy dialogue, "Reindeer Games" is hardly the best material he's worked with. But he gives it a professional shine that boosts its watchability quotient immeasurably.