The movie gives some very talented actors the chance to cash in on a possible action film franchise. But this first entry is so weak, that I’m not sure it will happen.<\/b>
\n\u201cGunpowder Milkshake\u201d Rated R. On Netflix Grade: C+ Just call it \u201cJane Wick,\u201d for crying out loud.\u201cGunpowder Milkshake,\u201d a title so bad it hurts to type, is such a \u201cJohn Wick\u201d knockoff, it might be copyright infringement. Essentially a female-forward version of the \u201cWick\u201d films, \u201cGunpowder Milkshake\u201d gives some very talented actors the chance to cash in on a possible action film franchise. But this first entry is so weak, that I\u2019m not sure it will happen. Young Samantha aka Sam (Karen Gillan as an adult, Freya Allan as a girl) is tired of waiting on her professional hit person mother Scarlet (Lena Headey), who works for a group of old white men known as The Firm. Fifteen years later, Sam is the hit person of choice, and she is sent to \u201cclean up a mess\u201d and kills the son of a Mr. Big. Sam tools around in a vintage 1980s Porsche in what looks like a Berlin (the film was shot at legendary Babelsberg Studios) version of Gotham. When she isn\u2019t beating up the \u201cboneheads\u201d her boss Nathan (Paul Giamatti in acting hell) sends to rough her up, she\u2019s killing four thugs decked out in masks of the monsters of the Golden Age of Universal Horror. Sam also accidentally shoots an accountant (Samuel Anderson), whose 8-year-old daughter Emily (the talented Chloe Coleman of \u201cMy Spy\u201d) is being held captive by the bad guys. Almost everybody is a bad guy in \u201cGunpowder Milkshake\u201d because guys are bad, right? Sam was raised by her \u201caunts\u201d after her mother left. These are women who work in the library, where half the books have guns in them. The women are Anna May (Angela Bassett), who may also be Scarlet\u2019s lover, Madeleine (Carla Gugino) and Florence (Michelle Yeoh). In one sequence, Sam\u2019s arms are temporarily paralyzed by vile, nitrous-oxide junkie Dr. Ricky (Michael Smiley). The elaborate fight scene that follows doesn\u2019t make much sense. The film also has a diner in which guns are allowed. Stop me if any of this sounds utterly familiar or just plain silly. The fight scenes on the other hand, featuring handguns, automatic weapons. flying fists and legs are very well choreographed by stunt coordinator Laurent Demianoff (TV\u2019s \u201cJohn Clancy\u2019s Jack Ryan\u201d). But the film lacks the compelling Reeves-ian central figure. Also, the film\u2019s attempt to evoke the adult-child bonding of Luc Besson\u2019s \u201cThe Professional\u201d does not even come close. I am a big fan of Gillan\u2019s work. But she is much stronger presence as the cyborg in those \u201cGuardian of the Galaxy\u201d films. The problem seems to be director Navot Papushado (\u201cABCs of Death 2\u201d), whose previous work is unfamiliar to me, and his writing partner, first-timer Ehud Lavski. The dialogue mixes cliches with attempts at wit and whimsy that fall repeatedly flat. How about guns secreted in hollowed-out books by Austen, Bronte, Woolf and Christie? The score by Haim Frank Ilfman is designed to mimic the work of the great Ennio Morricone. It does. The film\u2019s favorite color is glaring, comic-book red. As usual, the action leads to big final shootouts, in this case to the tune of a cover of Bob Dylan\u2019s \u201cIt\u2019s All Over Now, Baby Blue.\u201d It\u2019s fun watching Bassett, Gugino and especially martial arts master Yeoh wade into the fighting. Of course, it all ends with a set-up for a sequel. I\u2019m afraid it may only be wishful thinking here. \u201cGunpowder Milkshake,\u201d really, that\u2019s your title? (\u201cGunpowder Milkshake\u201d contains extreme gun violence, profanity and gruesome images)<\/p>\n