'Jackpot!' A Review

Jackpot! is an action/comedy set in near future LA about aspiring actor Katie(Awkwafina) who accidently enters the state's death-lottery then befriends aspiring lottery-winner-bodyguard Noel(John Cena). Katie needs to survive to the end of the day to receive her winnings and she and Noel weather various attacks and surprises along the way.

Awkwafina is her usual charismatic self and she's got great chemistry with Cena, the two utilize their natural star wattage and comedy chops to make it a fun ride, though their talents occasionally exceed the scripts. Simu Liu as the heavy kind of flounders, not enough to derail anything but enough to be noticeable. He's a fine actor but, particularly here, doesn't have the comedic ability to keep up or really get on the same wavelength. The supporting cast has some great character actors- Ayden Mayeri, Adam Ray, Becky Ann Baker and Seann William Scott, Dolly de Leon who show up briefly in the prologue. All of them build out the world nicely, if, just by nature of the story they are all a little too cruel.

Shot competently if not particularly uniquely the action sequences, of which there are several, are all fun and energetic and stand alone on top of the jokes that punctuate them. And most of them appear to be practical which is always refreshing and almost always better than CGI equivalents. At a little under two hours the pacing lags at points but not overly so. The costumes and the soundtrack both work well to elevate what the film is trying to do and overall its got a slick professional(ie well funded) look. 

Which kind of begs the question why it was released direct to streaming. This is the kind of mid-range comedy that doesn't really get released in theaters anymore, as such there is demand. Its the same problem as Awkwafina's 2023 flick Quiz Lady. Give this an opportunity to make some money. This may not be an incredible movie but its fun and people would pay to see it and it would offer needed variety. Ah well.

Fun action, funny, as advertised. If in need of a tighten-up all around.

Currently streaming on Prime.

Rent It.