An intriguing premise is the only aspect a film needs to grab attention. That said – and unfortunately, if I may be honest – it’s the names of directors, screenwriters, and especially well-known actors that ultimately become the biggest draw for the general public. Jackpot! truly hits the jackpot by having all these characteristics. Paul Feig is a popular filmmaker, although he doesn’t always achieve universal acclaim with his movies (Bridesmaids, Ghostbusters, A Simple Favor). Rob Yescombe is a screenwriter better known for his career in video game storytelling – his first and only feature-length screenplay was for Outside the Wire. The cast includes Awkwafina (The Farewell), John Cena (The Suicide Squad), and Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), all actors with a solid fan base.
However, it’s the premise with the potential for a good evening of entertainment that stands out. Katie (Awkwafina), an actress struggling to find work, wins a special California lottery in a sort of dystopian future. The law allows all citizens with a losing ticket to try to kill the winner before sunset and legally claim their prize. Enter Noel (Cena), an amateur protection agent who aims to keep Katie alive in exchange for a percentage of her winnings.
Essentially, Jackpot! is a variation of The Purge, but with a decidedly light, absurd tone, focusing entirely on never-ending action and goofy comedy, without much thematic or political weight, nor a deep exploration of its characters. On one hand, I admire Feig’s ability to recognize the limitations of his film and make the most of its strengths, even if that prevents the movie from being more memorable or emotionally resonant. Cinema has space for all kinds of stories, and superficial flicks with the sole aim of entertaining their target audience have their deserved place in the spectrum of art.
It’s about 100 minutes of intense chase and fight sequences, where the stunt department stands out with commendable dedication. John Schwartzman’s (Jurassic World Dominion) cinematography doesn’t always allow the choreography and physical sacrifice to be clearly noticed due to a more shaky camera at various moments, but overall, it contributes to the energetic levels of Jackpot!. Feig and Yescombe’s humor is surprisingly effective, with several jokes eliciting a pleasant laugh, but the actors’ delivery is halfway to success.
In this aspect, Cena continues to impress with his comedic timing, as his deliberately exaggerated character greatly benefits from his more theatrical facial expressions. Awkwafina was heading towards a dangerous path of somewhat irritating, repetitive typecast roles, but in Jackpot!, she delivers her most balanced performance since Shang-Chi. Liu, on the other hand, has fun with his role as a cliché money-driven antagonist, offering his natural charm to the overall positive chemistry of the cast.
Jackpot! is one of those films that doesn’t raise serious issues, as it knows what kind of movie it is and never tries to be more or less than that. Criticizing Feig’s film for not conveying any relevant sociopolitical message or presenting a complex character study makes as much sense as criticizing a horror flick for not having more comedy, or vice versa. All movies have different goals and distinct means of achieving them. Will I remember this film by the end of the year? Probably not. But would I recommend it to any viewer looking for a bit of simple fun? Absolutely.
Final Thoughts on Jackpot!
Jackpot! is a movie that delivers on its promise: pure, dumb entertainment. Without any pretensions of becoming a memorable film or delving into complex themes, Paul Feig delivers a light, admittedly silly experience, with a charismatic cast that stands out for its comedic delivery. It’s a safe choice for anyone looking for a carefree evening of fun, full of action and humor, without the need to reflect too much on sociopolitical topics. While it may not be a movie that stays in memory, it serves its purpose effectively, making it a recommended option for fans of easygoing action comedies.
Rating: B-
Jackpot! will stream on Prime Video on August 15th.
You can the film when it comes out on the Prime Video website.
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