Set in a dystopian Los Angeles circa 2030, “Jackpot!” paints a bleak picture of a world ravaged by economic inequality,where a high-stakes lottery offers a tantalizing, yet perilous, escape. The premise is simple: win the lottery, survive until sundown, and claim the multi-billion dollar prize. However, the catch is that everyone else is out to kill you for the money.
Jackpot!
Despite this intriguing setup and the comedic prowess of its stars, Awkwafina and John Cena, the film stumbles in its execution. It struggles to strike a balance between its dark, dystopian setting and the lighthearted action-comedy it aspires to be. The result is a jarring and tonally inconsistent film that feels like a mishmash of over-the-top stunts, ridiculous characters, and ludicrous stakes.
Director Paul Feig, acclaimed for his work on comedies like “Bridesmaids” and “Spy,” fails to replicate his past successes in “Jackpot!”. The film’s visual aesthetic feels flat and cheap, a clear indication of its streaming-focused production. The talented cast, including Awkwafina and Cena, is unfortunately underutilized, their potential largely wasted on a lackluster script.
Awkwafina and Cena try their best to create on-screen chemistry, but their efforts are hindered by the flimsy dystopian world-building and a plot that lacks depth. Awkwafina delivers some witty one-liners, but her character’s constant state of panic quickly grows tiresome. Cena’s action sequences provide some entertainment, but his character feels underdeveloped and one-dimensional.
The film does have a few redeeming qualities. The budding friendship between Katie (Awkwafina) and Noel (Cena) offers a touch of warmth, and there are a few genuinely funny moments, such as Cena’s action-packed scene where he takes on multiple assailants while tied to a chair and rapping the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theme song. Sadly, these bright spots are too infrequent to salvage the film from its overall mediocrity.
Ultimately, “Jackpot!” fails to deliver on its promise of a fun, lighthearted action-comedy. The dystopian setting feels forced and contrived, the action sequences are choppy, and the humor often falls flat. While some viewers may find amusement in the film’s sheer absurdity, it ultimately feels like a missed opportunity and a waste of its talented cast.
“Jackpot!” serves as a stark reminder that even with a promising premise, a talented cast, and an experienced director, not every film can strike gold.
