Movie Review: ‘Jackpot!’

Paul Feig’s latest movie blends laughs with stunts to fairly entertaining effect, anchored by solid work from its game stars. It’s still not quite a winner.

(L to R) John Cena and Awkwafina in 'Jackpot!'. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.

On Prime Video on August 15th, ‘Jackpot!’ finds Paul Feig back in the sort of action-comedy territory that served him well for the likes of ‘Spy’ and ‘The Heat.’

Yet his latest, like a couple of his other recent efforts, has been sent direct to streaming, signaling just how tough it is for filmmakers’ work to find theaters outside of giant franchise or indie films that score a release. Still, it’s entertaining enough.

Does ‘Jackpot!’ succeed in the movie lottery?

(L to R) John Cena and Awkwafina in 'Jackpot!'. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.

Though it doesn’t always exploit the satirical nature of its story, choosing instead to focus on frenzied action and gags, the movie certainly offers enough to keep you watching. There is sometimes the feeling that the improvisational style that Feig favors means a lot is thrown at the wall and not all of it works, but there is a solid level of jokes here.

‘Jackpot!’: Script and Direction

(L to R) Director Paul Feig, John Cena, and Simu Liu in 'Jackpot!'. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.

Writer Rob Yescombe’s backstory is in video game writing, and there are moments when ‘Jackpot!’ certainly has that feel –– it has very much a progression feel as Awkwafina and John Cena’s characters battle their way through different levels of enemies looking to take her down and win the money instead.

But it’s enough of a framework on which Feig and co. can hang plenty of jokes (and the original concept is sound and funny), and while a lot of the stunt work was likely devised once the script was already delivered, there’s lots of fun just in the basic ideas.

Feig has worked with action before –– in ‘Spy’ particularly, which remains one of his best movies –– and he knows how to respect both his stunt performers’ suggestions and abilities and his actors’ willingness to deliver the comedy.

Still, there are certainly moments where it feels like he’s just let Awkwafina in particular shout as chaos reigns around her, and one or two scenes could have benefitted from judicious editing.

'Jackpot!’: Performances

(L to R) John Cena and Katie Awkwafina in 'Jackpot!'. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.

Cena and Awkwafina are certainly the focus here, with some welcome, wacky support from Simu Liu as the corporate protection agent who has more of an agenda that he lets on.

Yet around them Feig –– whose resume includes work on shows such as ‘The Office’ –– builds a quality comedy ensemble with people he knows can deliver even in the smallest roles.

Awkwafina as Katie Kim

Awkwafina stars as 'Katie' in 'Jackpot!'. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.

Awkwafina came up from YouTube and developed a career stealing scenes as a supporting performer in movies such as ‘Crazy Rich Asians’. Her particularly energy might not always be a natural fit for leading roles, but here you buy her as a frustrated actor and out-of-towner who can’t quite comprehend what is happening to her.

And she plays wonderfully off of Cena, their buddy comedy energy tempered with moments of vulnerability and their full commitment to the mania of the movie itself.

John Cena as Noel Cassidy

(L to R) John Cena and Katie Awkwafina in 'Jackpot!'. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.

It looked for a long while like Cena would simply be following in the footsteps of wrestler-turned-actor types such as Dwayne Johnson, but in the last few years, Cena has really started to come into his own as a vanity free, committed combo of muscular action star and class clown.

Roles in projects such as ‘Peacemaker’ and, more recently ‘The Bear’ have shown his range, and while ‘Jackpot!’ doesn’t quite demand the same level of performance, it’s also a solid part for the actor.

His Noel is a welcome mixture of tough guy and bleeding heart, committed to saving lives for reasons that become clear later in the movie. And, as mentioned above, he works really well with Awkwafina, matching her comedy energy levels.

Simu Liu as Louis Lewis

(L to R) Agent Hoyt (Monique Ganderton) and Louis (Simu Liu) in 'Jackpot!' Photo: Amazon.

Some might see Liu and Awkwafina share the screen and start wondering where the ‘Shang-Chi’ sequel is, since they really do work well playing off each other. As Louis, Liu shows he hasn’t lost his comedy skills (since he got his start on Canadian sitcom ‘Kim’s Convenience’), playing the preening, corporate sleaze who makes money protecting lottery winners.

Ayden Mayeri as Shadi

(L to R) Shadi (Ayden Mayeri) and DJ (Donald Elise Watkins) in 'Jackpot!' Photo: Amazon.

Ayden Mayeri enjoys what could be a welcome breakout role as the vacuous, vengeful Shadi, a wannabe performer who runs possibly the worst Airbnb in Los Angeles. Together with bumbling boyfriend DJ (Donald Elise Watkins, who is also funny), she’s more than just a one-note comedy character, turning into a real villain as the story continues.

Supporting cast

(L to R) Murray Hill and Dolly De Leon in 'Jackpot!'. Credit: Image Courtesy of Amazon MGM Studios. Copyright: @ Amazon Content Services LLC.

Feig’s eye for talent (both established and new) stands him in good stead for this movie. You have the likes of Seann William Scott and Dolly De Leon in the amusing opening scene featuring a previous lottery winner and the seemingly harmless grandma who takes him down. It could be seen as a parody of action movies or something that appears on ‘Saturday Night Live’, but it launches you into the film’s world successfully.

‘Jackpot!’: Final Thoughts

(L to R) Noel (John Cena) and Katie (Awkwafina) in 'Jackpot!' Photo: Amazon.

Would ‘Jackpot!’ truly have worked if it were released into theaters? Comedy has certainly struggled in the last few years, with much of it moving into the streaming world. And it was always a riskier prospect for studios despite the huge success of titles such as ‘The Hangover’ and even Feig’s own ‘Bridesmaids’.

Still, as it stands, it’s certainly worth checking out of an evening and will certainly make you chuckle.

‘Jackpot!’ receives 7.5 out of 10 stars.

Jackpot!

"Take the money and run."

R1 hr 47 minAug 15th, 2024

Watch Jackpot! Online

What is the plot of ‘Jackpot!”?

In the future, a ‘Grand Lottery’ has been newly established in California - the catch: kill the winner before sundown to legally claim their multi-billion-dollar jackpot. When Katie Kim (Awkwafina) moves to Los Angeles, she mistakenly finds herself with the winning ticket. Desperate to survive the hordes of jackpot hunters, she reluctantly joins forces with amateur lottery protection agent Noel Cassidy (John Cena) who will do everything in his power to get her to sundown in exchange for a piece of her prize. However, Noel must face off with his slick rival Louis Lewis (Simu Liu), who also seeks to collect Katie’s commission at all costs.