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Unfortunately, it is a distinct lack of care that infects the entirety ofGunpowder Milkshake.
Instead, were given a convoluted story with opposing thrusts.
Sam is sent to kill a man and regain the money he stole from the Firm.
Every turn or reveal in the film necessitates a mammoth amount of exposition that fails to unearth any soul.
The tedious shortcomings pile on from there.
The films humorlessness is off-putting; it is slick to the point of lacking texture.
And if you dont get it, dont worry, the film will remind you in flashbacks.
Sam is meant to have brio.
Shes meant to be imposing, complicated, easy to underestimate but impossible to dismiss.
Gillan snarls, glares, and grimaces as she stumbles her way through the performance.
Shes aiming for a gimlet-eyed, fiery gaze, but lands on vacant.
Now, its not necessarily Gillans fault.
The writing does her no favors.
When Sam gets shot in the arm, shes meant not to flinch.
Instead, she just looks annoyed.
Is she an automaton?
Headey fares better as the assassin mother Sam yearned to follow.
But their relationship is mostly cutesy bickering and apologies.
Theres no heart to be found.
The film attempts to be moving and heartfelt, mostly through the tribulations of Emily.
But the character is often too precocious for her own good.
I wasnt expectingGunpowder Milkshake torewrite the rules of modern American action cinema.
All it needed to do was grant its audience a good time.
Despite all the efforts of everyone involved, it cant even do that.
