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Gunpowder Milkshake
(Netflix/STX Films)
By Lucas Allen
With the popularity of the John Wick franchise, many more movies in the “lone assassin” subgenre would naturally come along to cash-in on the success. Sometimes you get a good title, like “Atomic Blonde,” while other times there’s always a bad apple in this ever-growing tree, like “Peppermint.” So where does “Gunpowder Milkshake” end up in this ratio? This newest Netflix title comes to us from up-and-coming writer and director Navot Papushado. Sam (Karen Gillan) is a young woman working professionally for an organization called The Firm, using her skills in tactics and weaponry. After a botched job, her boss Nathan (Paul Giamatti), instructs her to find some stolen money taken from him. But in the heat of the moment, she accidentally shoots the thief, David (Samuel Anderson), dead before finding out that he’s supposed to deliver the money as ransom for his eight-year-old daughter Emily (Chloe Coleman) to some crooks. Breaking protocol, Sam saves Emily, but is then confronted by other members of The Firm. Afterwards, Nathan has a rival Russian group headed by McAlester (Ralph Ineson) looking for vengeance after the death of his son in the hands of Sam.
On the run and protecting Emily, Sam has to rely on her hitman mother Scarlet (Lena Headey), who abandoned her daughter 15 years earlier. They also have to rely on her loving aunties/librarians Anna May (Angela Bassett), Florence (Michelle Yeoh), and Mathilde (Carla Gugino) with their library and their underground armory. Soon enough, the battle is on between a Russian army and a small group of armed and dangerous women.
It’s difficult to find exact words about what kind of movie this is trying to be. This movie combines John Wick with “Sucker Punch,” “Deadpool” and “Batman & Robin.” It certainly has style, but not much substance to show for. In fact, it over-indulges on style to the point of making the story feel hollow. Other than being overly stylish, there is a disconnect in tone for each scene that doesn’t feel natural. There will be a serious scene, then it will keep cutting to a comedic scene without finding the right flow. If it’s supposed to be parody, there’s hardly anything funny plus it becomes a distraction rather than a benefit. Whatever was supposed to be clever or satirical has gotten lost in the loud, chaotic violence.
There is some impressive stuntwork to be found from the fight scenes to automobile destruction. But it becomes too much with the film’s over-reliance on slow-motion like it’s a Zack Snyder film. Not to mention, the movie keeps dragging in some scenes that should’ve been cut down for a better editing flow. The climatic shootout happens around ¾ of the film yet they devoted its remaining 20 minutes to the drama which ruins whatever excitement it was trying to bring us. Another pass or two in the editing room would’ve helped it find a better focus.
Gillan certainly has all the action skills down, but the way she acts in this movie is puzzling like she wasn’t given much range to work with other than anger and pouting. Headey is more like the strongest highlight of the film bringing the motherly love and the intensity similar to what she’s done previously on television with “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” and “Game of Thrones.” The combination of Bassett, Yeoh and Gugino adds an appropriate lighter touch to their scenes while also show they can excel at the action as well. Giamatti doesn’t do much in the thankless boss, taking a backseat to the female leads.
“Gunpowder Milkshake” is to John Wick what “Eragon” is to “The Lord of the Rings.” It’s a wildly mediocre attempt at cashing-in on a popular title without the necessary spark to make it stand out. As a Netflix film, it’s perfectly serviceable. However, there are far better titles to watch on streaming as well as the big screen this summer.
THE MOVIE’S RATING: R (for strong bloody violence throughout and language)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 2 Stars (Out of Four)
