Gunpowder Milkshake (2021)

Directed by: Navot Papushado | 114 minutes | action, crime | Actors: Karen Gillan, Joanna Bobin, Freya Allan, Lena Headey, Ed Birch, Paul Giamatti, Ralph Ineson, Adam Nagaitis, David Zimmerschied, Carla Gugino, Angela Bassett, Michelle Yeoh, Samuel Anderson, Mai Duong Kieu

Liam Neeson set the trend with ‘Taken’. Serious character actors can be in an action movie! After the strong first part, Liam got a taste (of eagerly handed out dollars) and decided to give up his serious acting career and go for the quick money. Keanu Reeves – never a strong actor – saw that career path too and decided to take on the role of ‘John Wick’. That tailor-made suit fits like a glove and there are plans for a fourth part. Hard-hitting movies are again in demand and that results in a reappraisal of the genre. Nowadays, martial arts films no longer end up on the bottom shelves of the digital video library. In 2022 they will be in cinemas! The corona crisis got in the way of ‘Gunpowder Milkshake’, because otherwise this film could certainly have broken some pots (and bones) on the silver screen!

‘Gunpowder Milkshake’ revolves around Sam (a wonderfully stoic Karen Gillan). This lady earns a living as an assassin and was abandoned by her mother at a young age. Scarlet (Lena Headey) left her daughter with the Firm, a crime collective that eagerly pays for murder by appointment. When Sam suddenly chooses for herself and wants to protect a young girl from a killer from the collective, she has to face a big gang on her own.

You could describe ‘Gunpowder Milkshake’ as ‘John Wick’ with women and humor. The film does not take itself seriously and builds in sufficient resting points where you can laugh. It is clear that this film is also intended as an empowerment project. The main characters are all strong women who compete against (mostly) stupid men. Of course, the women in this film appear to be the stronger sex.

The action looks brutal and the camera work is nice and clear. You see what happens and the stunts look good. The cast clearly enjoys it and that resulted in an entertaining popcorn film that never bores, but also does not last. So nice flat entertainment!