If you'd like to be surprised, I don't recommend you to watch the following trailer, because it spoils the first 90% of the movie, so the only "surprise" you'll get is whether or not the protagonist will defeat the villain. And I'm pretty sure that won't be a surprise. I'd say you should stop at the 1:00 mark, that will give you enough information.
Guns Akimbo, movie (2019) - Watch the trailer on YouTube
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Article updated: 2022.10.20
The Guns Akimbo (2019) is a action comedy film. The movie was reviewed by Kadmon.
Product: Guns Akimbo (2019)
Original title: Guns Akimbo
Series: -
Setting: futuristic Earth
Product type: Film, Genre: action comedy, Style: action, comedy, near future
Release: Premiere: 2019.09.09 festival premiere, Release: 2020.03.05
Reviewer: Kadmon, Type: Male, 40s, Preferences: Immersive, logical story, consistent setting, prefers surprises to spoilers, prefers establishing elements before referencing them
Watched: very recent (2020.04), first time
Rating: Great (3 out of 3 points), Enjoyment: Good (2+ out of 3 points)
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This is my review of Guns Akimbo, an action comedy movie from 2019. It's about a programmer, who gets involved in a game where either he kills his hunter, or he gets killed. The film is good, the action is great. I recommend the Guns Akimbo film.
Guns Akimbo, movie (2019)
image © Supernix UG (haftungsbeschränkt) & Supermiles Limited
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Review (spoiler-free) - Guns Akimbo movie (2019)
I haven't heard much about the Guns Akimbo film, but I've seen the trailer, and liked the concept. When I was given a chance, I've watched it. In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have watched the trailer, because it spoiled most of twists in the movie.
The Guns Akimbo film is about a a programmer, who gets involved in a game where either he kills his hunter, or he gets killed. He also gets a pistol bolted on each of his hands, hence the title.
The story is not very complicated, but it is executed proficiently. The structure is well crafted, the writing and directing is good. The characters are relatable, and they also look interesting. The actors fit into their roles. The humour is a little crude sometimes, some might consider it tasteless, but I liked the jokes and funny elements.
The visuals are good. The action of the Guns Akimbo film is very good, with a lot of variety through the movie. It's over the top, stylized, similar to a 1990s comic book. There's a lot of blood and cruelty, so I'd recommend the movie for a more mature audience.
The music is great, it is based on remixes of 1980s-1990s rock hits. It might just be nostalgia, but for a guy who was brought up listening to music like that, it fits me fine.
Every aspect of the movie is good. I'd say it's a great action comedy.
My experience
I enjoyed the movie. I recommend this to the right audience.
Rating: Great (3 out of 3 points). The cinematic and story aspects of the movie are great.
Enjoyment: Good (2+ out of 3 points). I liked the Guns Akimbo film a lot. The only reason I don't give this a 3/3 score is that it didn't have a deep message that would resonate with me.
Rewatchability: High. I think that if you really love these kind of action movies, and you liked the film for first viewing, you'll like to watch it more than once.
Chance of watching it again: Sure. It will probably take some time, but in the right circumstances, I'd like to watch the Guns Akimbo film again.
Chance of watching a sequel: High. I'd sure watch it.
Guns Akimbo, movie (2019)
image © Supernix UG (haftungsbeschränkt) & Supermiles Limited
Will you enjoy this?
If you like action movies, you might like this one. I sure did. The Guns Akimbo film is similar to the Crank movies in style.
If you prefer highly realistic action movies, this might not be the right movie for you. The action is over-the-top, highly stylized, often unrealistic.
Watching for plot points
The movie is not about the plot, but the over-the-top action scenes.
Guns Akimbo, movie (2019)
image © Supernix UG (haftungsbeschränkt) & Supermiles Limited
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Review with spoilers - Guns Akimbo movie (2019)
It's a great movie. I can't really add anything to my non-spoiler part in this regard.
Promise of the first scene
We see a car chase, with people shooting at each other, while an online audience watches them. As I already know that the main character will be forced to play a deadly game from the advertisements, I assume that this underground society of duellists will do that to him. I also assume that he will survive. I hope that the over-the-top action we see in the car chase sets the tone for the film.
Execution: Yep, he was forced to play by these bad guys. Also, he survived. The action of the opening scene was a good sample of what had followed.
Plot summary / Synopsis
The film starts with a car chase and shooting, that is broadcasted online by an underground society of killers (Skizm).
A slacker, Miles (Daniel Radcliffe), gets in an online fight with a mob boss (Ned Dennehy as Riktor), so they break into his house, and fix a gun in each of his hands. He is told that he will be hunted by Nix (Samara Weaving), a renowned killer, but he'll be free if he kills Nix. The whole thing is going to be broadcasted by flying drones filming everything. Nix bursts into his house, but he managed to escape. He continues to escape from each of the fights, but Nix continues the hunt. He runs into cops, who try to arrest him, but escapes from them too. Finally, the cops catch him. One of the cops tells him, that Nix is his daughter, and wants to catch her to save her. However it turn out that the other cop is on the side of the mobster, so he shoots his partner, and leaves Miles, so he could continue the game. Meanwhile, the mobsters take Miles's ex-girlfriend (Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Nova) as a hostage.
Miles arranges a meeting with Nix, and they decide that she pretends to kill him, to end the game. Miles puts up the bulletproof vest of the dead cop, Nix shoots him, and she is announced as a winner. Later they join at the headquarters of the mob boss, and start to kill everybody. Nix sacrifices herself, so Miles can save his ex-girlfriend, and kill the mob boss.
The setting
Contemporary Earth, probably an alternate Earth, or in the near future.
In this world, it's an accepted part of life when deadly games are played on the streets.
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Guns Akimbo, movie (2019)
image © Supernix UG (haftungsbeschränkt) & Supermiles Limited
Analysis of the story - Guns Akimbo movie (2019)
I liked the film a lot.
The message of the story
I'm not sure there's one. Probably "don't mess with mobsters". Or "don't mess with mobsters, unless you have guns".
There's one guide in it how to shoot straight with the gun, and another advice on how to commit suicide with it.
The structure of the story
The whole story of the Guns Akimbo film is told in retrospect, but after the introduction, most of the scenes are played in sequence, with the exception of a flashbacks near 1 hour. It has the usual arc of the dramatic structure.
Things I liked
- The characters look fun. Miles is goofy. Nova is beautiful. Riktor is badass. The mobsters all looked unique.
- The scene with the homeless guy was funny.
Problematic elements
All of my problems were minute details about the physics, but I don't think they would really detract from a movie like this. The film starts with a realistic approach, but right after Nix gets involved in the story, reality is forgotten in exchange for cool looking scenes.
The basic concept - gun bolted to hand - feels impossible to me in real life. Even a small damage is very painful on the hand right after the injury, even pumped full of painkillers. Running is incredibly painful. Shooting a gun is out of question. I've never tried that, but I suppose the shock could take him out cold. So, we must conclude that he is some kind of superhero, or his asthma medication makes him impervious to pain.
The plot shield is also strong with Miles. The antagonists in the movie are all grizzled fighters, and we see them able to shoot skilled targets. Yet, when confronted with our unskilled programmer, they manage to miss him all through the movie. However, if we really got a realistic film, it would end right after Nix enters his apartment, and shoots him right between the eyes. And that wouldn't make an entertaining movie.
On most review sites, the scores of the movie are low. Some reviewers are not satisfied with the pacing, but for me, it was perfect, at least for the first viewing. I might change my mind after I've watched the movie a couple of times. Others miss the deeper meaning, but I never though there would be one in an action flick like this.
Less satisfactory elements
- The flashback: The only thing that bothered me was the flashback in the middle. Up until that point we got an immersive experience, seeing the story mostly through the eyes of the protagonist, in the sequence they happened. Hiding the meeting between the two characters is a bit of a cheating. The viewers probably guessed that they will team up, especially those, who have seen the trailer or promotional pictures that show them together
- The revenge plan: Miles wants to get out of the game by playing dead. That's great. However, he couldn't have known what will the henchmen do to him, where will they take him. The only reason he waited that patiently, is to forward to plot to the warehouse. Also, as the police also monitored the game, they probably also sent a team there, probably before the bad guys did.
- The killing of the coworker: I'm not sure we needed that scene. The viewers probably already knew that it won't be his ex-girlfriend. However, I don't feel that killing his coworker fits the theme of the story.
Unanswered questions
I was satisfied by the Guns Akimbo film, I don't have unanswered questions.
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Possibilities of improvement
- Changing the viewer statistics: It's not easy to remember the number of viewers we were shown previously. It would have been helpful to also show the growth, for example "+5% in the last 30 minutes", that would have been helpful for the audience.
- Cutting the "30 minutes to find Nova" plot: Cut the part when the crooked policeman tells Miles about it. Cut the whole meeting, with the shooting of the coworker. Go straight to Miles switching on his signal to meet with Nix. This way we spare a couple of out of place moments for the viewers, when they see the killed coworker. The scene in the arcade was not bad, it might fit somewhere else in the film.
- Changing the flashback: Instead of meeting in a flashback, after the showdown, they just meet normally. They end the meeting with Miles telling her "One shot", then cut to the first scene, where Miles greets her, then -cutting the dialogue- Nix shoots him eight times, and leaves him. This would also leave the viewer confused a bit, until we see how things work out.
- Changing the revenge plan: Instead of waiting for what will happen, when Miles lays there, the drone files off, then cut to Miles and Nix meeting at the warehouse gate. I'm pretty sure the audience can fill the missing part without showing them.
How it could have been better?
I'm not sure it could be.
Many people miss the physical reality from the Guns Akimbo film, but sticking to that would prevent the plot from happening. As this is an otherwise fun movie - despite the fact that it's far from real -, I don't think any major change could improve on it.
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How does it compare to the other works of the creators?
I haven't seen anything from the writer/director (Jason Lei Howden). But now I'm interested in his work.
Guns Akimbo, movie (2019)
image © Supernix UG (haftungsbeschränkt) & Supermiles Limited
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Uses for the film - Guns Akimbo movie (2019)
Plot
- There's an underground society of killers who hunt each other
Scenes
Scenario ideas - Role-playing game scenario ideas
Scenario ideas - Wargame scenario ideas
Miniatures - 1/50-1/60 (28-32mm scale)
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Similar stories - Guns Akimbo movie (2019)
Short stories
Richard Connell: The Most Dangerous Game (1924): A man is hunted by a team of hunters.
Robert Sheckley: Seventh Victim (1953): A man is hunted by assassins in a deadly game.
Robert Sheckley: The Prize of Peril: A man is hunted by assassins in a deadly game, while being broadcasted.
Novels
Robert Sheckley: Hunter/Victim (1988): The chosen people have to hunt each other in a deadly game.
Robert Sheckley: Immortality, Inc.: A man is hunted by assassins.
Robert Sheckley: The 10th Victim (1965): A man is hunted by assassins in a deadly game. Based on the Seventh Victim and the La decima vittima movie.
Robert Sheckley: Victim Prime (1987): The chosen people have to hunt each other in a deadly game.
Stephen King: The Running Man (1982): A man is hunted by assassins in a deadly game, while being broadcasted.
Suzanne Collins: The Hunger Games (2008, 2009, 2010, 2020): The chosen people have to hunt each other in a deadly game, while being broadcasted. These are not very good books.
Graphic novels
Button Man: A man is hunted by assassins in a deadly game.
Movies
Apex (2021): A man is hunted by a team of hunters. Based on the The Most Dangerous Game short story.
Armchair Theatre: Murder Club (1961): A man is hunted by assassins in a deadly game. Based on Seventh Victim.
Crank (2006): Non-stop contemporary action.
Crank 2: High Voltage (2009): Non-stop contemporary action.
Das Millionenspiel / The Millions Game (1970): A man is hunted by assassins in a deadly game, while being broadcasted. Based on The Prize of Peril.
Freejack (1992): A man is hunted by assassins. Based on Immortality, Inc.
Gamer (2009): The chosen people have to hunt each other in a deadly game, while being broadcasted.
La decima vittima / The 10th Victim (1965): A man is hunted by assassins in a deadly game. Based on Seventh Victim.
Le prix du danger / The Prize of Peril (1983): A man is hunted by assassins in a deadly game, while being broadcasted. Based on The Prize of Peril.
Racconti di fantascienza: La decima vittima (1979): A man is hunted by assassins in a deadly game. Based on Seventh Victim.
Surviving the Game (1994): A man is hunted by a team of hunters. Based on the The Most Dangerous Game short story.
The Condemned (2007): The chosen people have to hunt each other in a deadly game, while being broadcasted.
The Hunger Games (2012-2015): The chosen people have to hunt each other in a deadly game, while being broadcasted. Based on The Hunger Games.
The Running Man (1987): A man is hunted by assassins in a deadly game, while being broadcasted. Based on The Running Man.
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Frequently asked questions - Guns Akimbo movie (2019)
Is there a post credit scene in Guns Akimbo?
No, there's no post credit scene in Guns Akimbo.
Will Guns Akimbo get a sequel?
I think the story of Guns Akimbo is complete as it is, but seeing how studios like to create sequels to successful movies, I wouldn't be surprised.
Where can I see Guns Akimbo? What is Guns Akimbo playing on? What streaming service is Guns Akimbo on? Where can I watch Guns Akimbo online? Is Guns Akimbo available on Netflix? Is Guns Akimbo on Amazon?
As of 2022.10.20, Guns Akimbo is available on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Microsoft Movies, Redbox, Vudu, YouTube.
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Resources - Guns Akimbo movie (2019)
Information
IMDB: Guns Akimbo (2019): Database article.
WikiPedia: Guns Akimbo: Database article.
Letterboxd: Guns Akimbo: Database article.
Rotten Tomatoes: Guns Akimbo: Database article.
Metacritic: Guns Akimbo 2020: Database article.
TV Tropes: Film / Guns Akimbo: Database article.
Creation
: Behind the scenes article.
Parental advisory information - Guns Akimbo movie (2019)
Jeffrey M. Anderson (for Common Sense Media ): Guns Akimbo: Parental advisory information article.
Reviews with no spoilers - Guns Akimbo movie (2019)
Alex Finch (for Comedy To Watch): Cult Classics: Guns Akimbo: Review article with no spoilers.
Ben Isbel (for Film Blerg): Film Review: Guns Akimbo (2019): Review article of the movie with no spoilers.§
Stoned Gremlin Productions: Guns Akimbo - Movie Review: Review video of the film with no spoilers.
Travis Johnson (for Mr. Movie's Film Blog): Guns Akimbo (2019): Review article of the movie with minor spoilers about the premise.
Reviews with spoilers - Guns Akimbo movie (2019)
Nate Zoebl: Guns Akimbo (2020): Review article about the film with spoilers.
republished on Psycho Drive-In
Analysis - Guns Akimbo movie (2019)
: Analysis article of the Guns Akimbo movie.
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Buying the product - Guns Akimbo movie (2019)
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