Jackpot!

I would have never pictured these two characters together as the leads of a big movie but here we are. And I'm loving it!

If you expect some super smart comedy full of unexpected twists and turns to come out of Amazon Prime with these two as the main stars.... then the joke is on you. This wasn't stupid but it certainly won't make you stop and contemplate your existence. It's silly, ridiculous, funny, original *enough*, and the acting is quite good. The funny thing is, I don't think most people even got the joke. Which is that people will absolutely turn on each other in seconds when money is involved. The nice lady on the bus suddenly turning into a serial killer... I mean, c'mon, we all know a lady like that who's stabbed us in the back. It's funny but kinda very true too.

Listen, this is not a movie to go in expecting a fresh experience. It's a pulpy action comedy with Cena and Awkafina doing what they do best. It's breezy and fun to watch, and the length of the movie is perfect for a lazy afternoon or night to while the time away. It was never meant to be more than that, and it delivers where it counts. The action is quick, the dialogues are mostly witting, the screenplay is pacing, and the supporting cast are fantastic.

The movie takes the concept from The Purge, adds a jackpot element to it, and turns it into a straight-out comedy. The concept works, and the movie doesn't take much time to get going.

I really liked the movie and I guess you need to be in a certain mood to enjoy this. It's way better than similar movies which are just pure garbage made half-heartedly to cash in a pay cheque.

Special shoutout to Ayden Mayeri as Shadi, who steals the show in every scene she is in. Hope to see more of her in the future.

5.6/10 (Kind of Recommend)

Categorized as an action and comedy film, this movie entertains quite well all the way through. There are very few slow moments throughout. The comedy isn't top notch, but if you enjoy hearing John Cena get bashed about his size then you might get a chuckle or two out.

The chemistry is good and the cast seem to have great motivation to at least entertain. I liked Awkwafina's humour. She plays the role of mouse well while John Cena is just being his own self as a friendly giant who wants to help.

The story isn't special, and doesn't do anything to standout from films similar to it. The events aren't even believable especially how the outcome is achieved, but that's the fun in films, they don't always have to make sense. They can just entertain for a couple hours. I would definitely watch this one again just for the fun I experienced despite my lower rating.

Overall, kind of recommend. It's not a one-of-a-kind film, but it certainly entertains, and so long as you're not a rigid person to comedy, you should find some hilarity to it. Well cast, good chemistry, and seemingly great motivation to entertain despite the low believability of the story. Still, I would watch again.

That's it for now. Thanks for taking time to read my review. Happy watching and enjoy the show!

I had a fun time watching this film! Not sure if people were expecting Citizen Kane, but I feel like this delivered on the laughs and enjoyment anyone could want from this. Cena is a true comedic powerhouse and this might be Awkwafina's best role since The Farewell. I usually find her fairly annoying, but she was solid here.

There haven't been a ton of great studio comedies in recent years, and yes this isn't top tier, but it's no worse than most of the bankable comedies from the mid 00s. Paul Feig has a great track record and he hits another single (double?) with Jackpot! I hope people give this a shot, as Cena really goes all out and commits with his comedic roles.

The concept of the movie is intriguing. Imagine if 2013's "The Purge" was a comedy, a different take on the finished product we got. While the idea is fun, its execution could have been a little better. The script written by Rob Yescombe (Outside the Wire) is dragged down at times by clunky dialogue, an inconsistent tone, and some unfunny jokes that never truly elevate the story.

I'm not the biggest fan of Awkwafina, but I liked her in this movie (except for the times she's clearly improving). I like her backstory and her relationship with John Cena (who is probably the best part of the movie). The rest of the cast is fun, but some minor characters receive more screen time than needed, which is a deliberate choice to add depth to the story and the world of the movie.

The humor doesn't always work, but when it does, I laugh. I'm a simple man. As for the action sequences, they are well-choreographed and intense and add a thrilling element to the movie. They work well and complement the humor well. Director Paul Feig has done this before with 2015's "Spy".

Overall, it's a fun movie that I recommend for a light-hearted, entertaining watch.