Summary
- A well-cast action comedy with impressive fight sequences.
- Satire falls short, not hitting the mark on socio-political commentary.
- Awkwafina and John Cena shine, carrying the film with solid performances.
As a film enthusiast with a soft spot for action-comedy satires, I must say that “Jackpot” left me with a mixed bag of emotions. The movie is undeniably entertaining and boasts some impressive performances – particularly from John Cena who continues to prove his versatility in the acting world. His ability to switch between action hero, comedic relief, and emotional depth is nothing short of remarkable.
As a movie enthusiast, I’ve got to share my thoughts on Paul Feig’s latest flick, titled “Jackpot.” Starring none other than Awkwafina and John Cena, this film feels like it could have been pitched in the late ’90s or early 2000s. The plot unfolds in a not-so-distant future where California lottery winners are met with an unusual catch: if someone kills the ticket holder without using a gun, they can claim the prize. It’s a clever satire intended to poke fun at our societal obsession with fame and fortune, as well as comment on current economic struggles.
The story revolves around Katie (Awkwafina), a former child star who stopped acting to look after her mother. After her mother passes away, she goes back to Los Angeles with the intention of resuming her acting career, but ignorant of the city’s recent lottery rule. In a twist of fate, when Katie finds herself in need of clothes from her eccentric Airbnb host (portrayed humorously by Ayden Mayeri), she unwittingly acquires her lottery ticket and becomes the lucky winner of a massive jackpot. This unexpected windfall makes Katie an attractive target for everyone in LA trying to claim the prize.
As Katie finds herself in a desperate situation, Neil (Cena) unexpectedly arrives to rescue her. For a modest safety charge, he pledges to safeguard her and help her secure her winnings. The pair must battle through the entirety of Los Angeles until sunset in order for Katie to collect her prize.
A Skilled Paul Feig Slips a Bit
In the realm of modern humor, I’ve found myself captivated by none other than director Paul Feig. Back in the late ’90s and early 2000s, I was enamored with his work on some iconic comedy series such as “Freaks and Geeks,” “Undeclared,” “Arrested Development,” and “The Office.” Just like the brilliant minds behind those shows, he transitioned seamlessly into a thriving film career. His third cinematic venture, 2011’s “Bridesmaids,” was both critically acclaimed and financially successful, paving the way for his future projects. Similar to “Bridesmaids,” films like “The Heat” and “Spy” often feature extensive improvisation, showcasing Feig’s knack for high-octane action comedy with a comedic twist.
Without a doubt, this is the school where Jackpot ends up. Although the battle scenes are thrilling, the blend of action and humor falls short, often giving the impression that they belong to separate movies. For instance, there are humorous moments such as John Cena carrying Awkwafina like a backpack in order to attack enemies, or Awkwafina having to fight her two new roommates inside a wax museum. Regrettably, these comedic elements don’t seamlessly integrate with the film’s overall action sequences.
In contrast to the hilarious, car-chasing scenes in films like “What’s Up, Doc?” and “21 Jump Street,” where humor is strategically integrated into the action based on what provides the best joke, the comedic elements in “Jackpot” seem to drift away from their primary focus. This doesn’t mean there aren’t funny moments throughout the action; however, they sometimes feel disjointed and awkward.
Awkwafina & John Cena Are Perfectly Cast
Like Feig’s other movies, it’s the actors and his directorial skills that truly shine. The duo of Awkwafina and John Cena provides a delightful viewing experience. Though many viewers might recognize Awkwafina for her comedic roles, she is actually an incredibly versatile actress with a wide range, as evident from her powerful dramatic performance in The Farewell.
In this production, Awkwafina is granted the opportunity to play a straight comic character as she did in last year’s underappreciated “Quiz Lady,” and she excels at it. Awkwafina has a knack for delivering genuine and relatable reactions. Furthermore, she holds her ground during action sequences. If Marvel Studios manages to launch a sequel for “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” let’s hope Awkwafina will be provided with more opportunities in action scenes.
In a continued display of versatility, John Cena continues to shine both in the wrestling world and on the big screen, earning recognition as one of the top wrestlers-turned-actors. His unique approach to his imposing physique adds an element of humor, making him appear like a larger-than-life cartoon character. This comedic portrayal often borders on the surreal, yet Cena doesn’t shy away from being the brunt of jokes for a good laugh.
Another person worth mentioning is Simu Liu, who previously starred alongside Awkwafina in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Here, he gets to play the foil to both Cena and her. Liu, like Henry Cavill before him, might have shot into superstardom by playing a superhero, but both actors have an aura that seems fit for more villainous characters. Last year’s Barbie and now Jackpot show that Liu is good at projecting overconfidence, which works well in playing antagonists, like how Cavill’s intense stare was used to significant effect in Mission: Impossible – Fallout.
Jackpot Has Some Zingers but Is Poorly Crafted Satire
The film titled “Jackpot” combines action and comedy, yet it also serves as a sharp critique, but the satire seems underdeveloped, which is where the humor falls flat. It touches on various themes, such as people’s unquenchable thirst for fame and the lengths one might go to due to greed. However, the social commentary feels incomplete.
The film on Prime Video seems to miss the mark when it comes to addressing current issues such as inflation, economic uncertainty, and capital politics. Instead of critiquing corporations exploiting people’s hardship, it focuses on portraying the lower class, who aspire for wealth through lottery-like opportunities, like scratch-offs. It appears that Jackpot is an inverted version of Jonathan Swift’s satirical work, A Modest Proposal, which aimed to mock the wealthy by proposing absurd solutions.
The initial scenes of Jackpot suggest that the public is drawn into this situation due to a lottery system designed to boost participation, exploiting the fact that expenses are escalating on all fronts. However, instead of scrutinizing the system that thrives on people’s misfortunes and exposing how corporations shift their unscrupulous business practices onto individuals, the movie focuses on criticizing people’s desperation for fame and wealth, which leads them to cannibalize each other. This critique overlooks the rules of the world as portrayed in the film itself.
While it’s not the greatest movie out there, “Jackpot” offers a decent, amusing comedy experience in its other aspects. The action sequences can be quite thrilling at times, although they may occasionally stray from the humor. The cast delivers strong performances that add to the film’s overall enjoyability, with some humorous moments sprinkled throughout. It might not be the best work of any of the creators, but it’s certainly not the worst. If you have an hour and a half to spare, “Jackpot” could be a fun way to pass the time.
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2024-08-14 21:02