'Guns Akimbo' Review: Daniel Radcliffe's comic magic fails to raise this brain-dead film above mediocrity
'Guns Akimbo' is a deep, stirring social commentary on video game culture and its overpowering influence on our lives. LOL, just kidding. It's a brain-dead dark comedy that's a one-time watch, with some snarky punch lines scattered here and there. But, considering it's the era of the quarantine and you are looking for something to watch online, give 'Guns Akimbo' a try. It's just got a digital release, and lets' face it, there's some fun in watching Harry Potter go all guns blazing. Literally.
Far from the days of wands and magic, Daniel Radcliffe plays the role of Miles, a quintessential gamer and of course a stereotypical nerd, whose tiny flat is filled with action-figures. He's still in love with his ex-girlfriend Nova (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) and has to face constant battles at work. You know, like the rest of us.
So it's not the happiest of lifestyles but he's making it work with the notorious 'Skizm'. What's that, you ask? It's a real-life death match between criminals and weirdos, shot by drones. There's an audience that's lapping up all the violence. The winner is Nix (Samara Weaving), who has a staggering body count behind her. The police are desperately trying to put a stop to it but have not been doing a great job, obviously.
One day, Miles's keyboard warrior role explodes in his face when he goes a step too far in fighting with bloodthirsty trolls. And so, they break into his house and painfully bolt guns to his hands.
The rest of the story is pretty much like 'Grand Theft Auto' on acid. There are endless chase sequences with a lot of loud gunshots, eerie close-ups of bloodstained faces, abductions of ex-girlfriends and what not. Come to think of it, it makes for a fun quarantine watch if you are not expecting anything deep, moving, or anything that requires you to use your brains; or if you are just done exhausted and bored with every other option. The film is intended to be a crisp commentary on the age of trolling and internet but the plot ends up reinforcing the same ideas it tries to fight, with some gross quips here and there. Radcliffe puts his heart and soul into the film and flexes his comic talent whenever he can. But it's not enough.
Well, give it a watch if there's absolutely nothing else you can think of.