JACKPOT!

In essence an endless series of violently comedic action set-pieces, Jackpot! provides a wildly entertaining match-up between Awkwafina and John Cena even if the film underwhelms visually.

Remember when in the Pink Panther films there always would be a scene where inspector Clouseau and Kato got involved in a crazy, physical cat-and-mouse fight? That’s essentially how Jackpot! plays out over the course of an hour and a half, mostly to enjoyable results.

In the movie, set in a near-future Los Angeles, Awkwafina portrays a former child actress, aiming to get back in the game, who accidentally wins the 3.6 billion dollar lottery jackpot. The downside? Anyone who kills her before sundown – by any means but firearms – can claim the prize for themselves.

Not so much a biting satire about greed in today’s society as a good excuse to team up Awkwafina with bodyguard John Cena for an effective and charming oddball pairing, subsequently plays out like a decent Jackie Chan flick, with ever more elaborate fighting sequences that all work surprisingly well on the physical comedy size.

While Paul Feig excels at selling the fun, leaving plenty of room for one-liner improvisations, his directing chops drag the movie down somewhat in the action scenes. Jackpot! could have benefited immensely from a distinct visual style, a better attuned tempo and a better proportioned dose of overall manic energy.

Still, you will not regret putting Jackpot! on for ninety minutes of idle escapism, because who knew dystopian lotteries could be such a blast?

release: 2024

director: Paul Feig

starring: Awkwafina, John Cena, Simu Liu, Machine Gun Kelly