While “21” could have been just one more film in a long line of movies made about Las Vegas and the crazy shenanigans people get themselves into while they’re there, it proves itself to be much more.

“21” is based on the true story of the MIT students who got counting cards down to an art and took their craft to Vegas. Jim Sturgess (“Across the Universe”) plays Ben Campbell, the new kid on the team who just wants to make enough money to pay his way through Harvard Medical School. The film shows Ben not only learning to count cards, but gaining street smarts and life experience as well.

The real marvel of the film is how director Robert Luketic (“Monster in Law,” “Win a Date with Tad Hamilton”) managed to shun his romantic comedy background and make a visually cool and immensely entertaining film. Anyone who has only watched someone gamble or play cards knows that it’s pretty boring. In “21,” the computer-generated visuals used to convey blackjack and the process of counting cards puts the audience in the thick of the action and makes it seem a lot more fun.

The script, written by Peter Steinfeld and Allan Loeb, slows down toward the middle of the film. But the movie’s end is so compelling that by the time you leave the theater, you’ll forget all about the brief period during which you might have been napping.

Jim Sturgess does some interesting work in “21” as his character transforms from a nerdy guy who builds robots to a suave Vegas hotshot. I’m sure the film’s female viewers will love him either way. However, Sturgess has trouble with an American accent. It’s muddled, at best, and there are several instances in the film in which he still sounds distinctly British. But since he never throws in a “Bob’s your uncle” or an, “‘Ello, gov’na,” it doesn’t distract from his otherwise great performance.

Kevin Spacey (“Superman Returns”) and Lawrence Fishburne (“The Matrix”) bring their seasoned talent to the film, their heavyweight status contrasting with the film’s younger cast. Spacey plays the blackjack team’s faculty advisor and manages to evolve from nurturing to menacing with an intense grace.

Fishburne doesn’t have as much to do, but his brief scenes are always exciting. Fishburne portrays a focused casino “loss manager” trying to keep his job by catching anyone trying to cheat the system. His character’s violent anger toward the students can sometimes seem overblown, but it’s still fun to watch him beat up on Sturgess and Spacey.

Thanks to a slick cast and some sharp writing, “21” tells a story that combines humor and drama. Though nothing can compare to an actual visit to the bright lights of Vegas, “21” captures the overwhelming aspects of casino life while bringing this quirky tale to life.