Guns Up: Kevin James Deserves a Better Film

Guns Up is loud, exaggerated and sometimes so unconcerned with credibility that it almost becomes entertaining again. Almost. Kevin James plays Ray Hayes as an exhausted family man rather than an invulnerable action hero, and that choice works better than I expected.

James finds doubt and vulnerability beneath the gunfire. Christina Ricci has a useful presence as his wife Alice, but the writing gives her too little to do. Their potential is much greater than the material surrounding them.

The story follows familiar patterns: violence closes in, the family needs protection and dubious acquaintances provide more weapons than meaningful dialogue. Action and domestic drama collide without feeling like parts of the same film. A sincere family exchange can sit awkwardly between bouts of shouting and destruction.

There is some rhythm, and the film occasionally pauses for people rather than racing through every shooting. Supporting performances add humour or hints of sadness, but most characters remain templates with thin motivations.

The action is competently framed and generally clear. What is missing is originality. Functional lighting, grey streets and hard contrasts make it look like countless other productions. The ending further destabilises the tone, shifting between excessive brutality, sentiment and confusion.

My rating is 1 out of 5 stars. James makes an honest effort, Ricci deserved more, and individual scenes are professionally handled. That does not make the whole particularly exciting, emotionally deep or funny. It is noisy distraction with less to offer than its ambitions suggest.