JACKPOT! Review

Whether it's Netflix, Amazon Prime or Hulu, streaming services have well and truly jumped on the Hollywood bandwagon producing their own direct-to-stream movies. This has resulted in a mixed bag over the years, with the aforementioned streaming services subjecting views to their fair share of stinkers. The latest to arrive is action comedy, Jackpot!, with the Paul Feig directed film having premiered on Amazon Prime on August 15th.

Set in California 2030, the film centres around Katie Kim (Awkwafina), a former child actress looking to pick up her career in Hollywood. She quickly realises that a lot has changed since she left, as when she wins a lottery she didn't even know she entered her life changes drastically. Where this would usually be a joyous occasion, this lottery allows anyone with losing tickets a second chance to win the prize. All they've got to do is kill the winner before sundown.

Bridesmaids director, Paul Feig, is behind the camera for this action comedy working off a script written by Rob Yescombe. Wasting no time in setting up the film's premise, the director gives us a high octane chase sequence, highlighting the chaotic implications of this unique lottery. What follows unfortunately is a convolutent and stagnant product, with the disorderly violence quickly wearing thin. The script itself also proves mind-numbingly simple, as despite its fair share of humorous moments, its convenient twists and, at times, horrible dialogue makes for uncomfortable viewing.

What makes all this palatable is the strength of our lead actors. Bringing a toned down version of her usual eccentric comedy, Awkwafina takes on the role of our unlucky jackpot winner, capturing Katie's initial ignorance to the situation brilliantly. Accompanying Awkwafina in her fight for survival is John Cena (Noel Cassidy) with the wrestler turned actor proving once more that he's game for anything. Initially acting as your stereotypical odd couple, the duo quickly form tremendous chemistry, with the more serious moments of the flick allowing their respective characters to grow. It's just a shame that the script holds them back from their full potential, with the movie seeming to focus more on cheap thrills and jokes.

Where Feig excels most is when the action kicks in, with the over-the-top fight sequences and ridiculous car chases shining throughout. This is most notable when Cena enters the fray, with the 16x WWE Champion still being able to throw around other grown men with ease. This all adds to the comic flair of the movie, with the first third in particular being a beautiful blend of humour and brutality. As is the case with the majority of Jackpot!, the film struggles to keep this up, with the action quickly becoming repetitive, feeling like the same stunts poorly rehashed.

Though it's the acting chops of Awkwafina and Cena that carries this bang average action comedy, the film does host its fair share of memorable supporting cast. Whether brief or prolonged, these additions give a dynamic flair to the dysfunctional plot, with the likes of Seann William Scott, Bobby Lee and Leslie David Baker all entertaining in their limited screen time. The stand out amongst this supporting cast, however, is Ayden Mayeri (Shadi), with her character's desire for wealth and fortune resulting in some of the more enjoyable moments in the film. This is most evident during a pit stop at Machine Gun Kelly's mansion, with Mayeri's character going to great lengths to get to Katie.

Awkwafina’s Shang-Chi co-star, Simu Liu, also joins proceedings, with the actor taking on the role of lottery protection tycoon, Louis Lewis. Having once worked alongside Noel, the character quickly proves to be more than meets the eye, having a pivotal role in how things pan out. What we get from this, however, is a generic character thats absent any real personality, with Liu lacking any form of comic timing. Though the actor lacks in this department, he makes up elsewhere, with the tension between Liu and Cena being scintillating.

As the film crawls closer to its ever predictable conclusion, all the negative aspects grow tenfold. Becoming stagnant and uninspiring, the various twists and turns lack any real panache, proving extremely underwhelming. What makes this all the more frustrating is that all these plot points had so much potential, with the poor script and overall pacing issues having a negative impact on the end product.

Verdict

Jackpot! ultimately relies too heavily on its lead duo, never quite living up to its early expectations. Despite its fun premise and overall charm, the film struggles to get out of second gear, with everything wearing thin before long. This isn't helped by the, at times, terrible dialogue and across-the-board pacing issues, that unfortunately detracts from an otherwise exciting action comedy. All this leads to an overall bang average film, that despite its strengths, fails to deliver a must see experience.

5.5/10