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Guns Akimbo | Daniel Radcliffe Stars in ‘Hold My Beer: The Movie’

Writer's picture: Nicolas SchueleNicolas Schuele
4
4/5

"Guns Akimbo (2019)" is one of those movies where the premise is enough reason to see it. Daniel Radcliffe stars as a rather meek programmer who finds himself waking up with guns literally bolted onto his hands, thrust into some kind of deadly game that's streamed for the pleasure of a bloodthirsty online audience. The film unleashes an unhinged blend of ridiculous action, dark humor, and scintillating commentary on Internet culture. While it doesn't always stick the landing, it sure makes one hell of an effort.


Guns Akimbo
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A Walking Meme Factory


Radcliffe's performance as Miles is a quirky delight. Watching him stumble through the urban chaos, hands literally locked and loaded, is equal parts hilarious and bizarrely relatable. His character arc might not be groundbreaking, but who cares when he is running around in a bathrobe, accidentally taking out enemies, and trying to untangle himself from life-threatening messes? Radcliffe leans into the ridiculousness, making his suffering all the more entertaining.


A Sugar Rush for the Eyes


The cinematography seems to be on its energy drink high. Quick cuts, neon-soaked streets, and a camera that never sits still create this frenetic vibe to match the film's madness. The action is messy, mixing in first-person shooter aesthetics with over-the-top gore. While fun, there are moments where it becomes a bit too chaotic, leaving you wanting a breather. It is not without reminding me of "Crank (2006)", but that's the only comparison I will make with it as it seems all the other reviews do.


Guns Akimbo Shot 1

Sharp but Shallow


Guns Akimbo attempts to say something about online culture, trolls, and society's obsession with violence-as-entertainment. The satire hits some marks, particularly in the depiction of the bloodthirsty audience that cheers Miles on. However, the film doesn't go very deep. It nods at larger ideas, then gets distracted by another explosion or outrageous stunt. The commentary feels more like a series of jabs than a cohesive critique.


Supporting Cast: Hit or Miss


It's Weaving who steals the show as Nix, the unhinged assassin. With a punk-rock energy, she chews up the scenery, stealing every scene she's in. A touch of emotional depth comes through in her backstory, but it's soon brushed aside, just like much of the film, in favor of flying bullets. Other supporting characters, though, range from mildly amusing to forgettable, more props to the carnage than actual people.


Pros and Cons of the Madness


There's so much to adore about Guns Akimbo: it's wildly imaginative, hilarious at times, and never really holds back in terms of serving up ridiculous thrills. It's also exhausting, as its frenetic pacing barely allows for any kind of character development or coherent plotting. The humor's hit-or-miss, and some jokes feel like they're trying too hard to be edgy. Yet, the sheer audacity of the concept makes many of these flaws rather easy to overlook.


A Hot Mess Worth Watching


Guns Akimbo is nowhere near perfect, but it's an absolute blast if one is in the mood for something weird, loud, and over-the-top. It is a film that does not take itself too seriously, and neither should you. Just grab yourself some popcorn, ditch all your disbelieving emotions, and enjoy the chaos. At least avoid trying to make much sense of it.


...and I successfully reached the end of this review without mentioning Harry Potter. Yay, me.

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