Like its title, Gunpowder Milkshake comprises of two ingredients: OTT girl-power action and calculated coolness. The problem is that writer/director Navot Papushado only gives us a single scoop of each, and doesn't blend them together very well. A double-scoop of crazy action (actually, make that three scoops, heaped), thoroughly whisked together with several scoops of innovative style, and the results would have been much more tasty.
Papushado borrows from action cinema old and new: assassin Sam's fashion sense is Meiko Kaji, circa Female Prisoner Scorpion (wide brimmed hat worn at an angle and long black coat), the action scenes are inspired by the likes of Tarantino and Woo, the music is pure Spaghetti Western, and the neon lighting is very John Wick (as is the story). Unfortunately, Papushado fails to stamp his own mark on the film, content to mimic others, delivering an unsatisfying pastiche rather than something new and bold to genuinely tantalise one's cinematic tastebuds.
To be fair, a couple of scenes bristle with potential, but the choreography and execution let them down: Sam (Karen Gillan) dealing with several bad guys despite her arms being paralysed is a neat idea, but her enemies are far too cartoonish and spoil the effect; eight year old Emily (Chloe Coleman) steering Sam's Porsche during a chase scene is lacking in edge-of-the-seat thrills; a library makes for a great setting for a shoot-out, but the actual gun-play is disappointing (Carla Gugino firing a mini-gun is all too brief and the damage minimal); and a single-shot, linear tracking, slow-motion fight in a diner is technically impressive but quite dull to watch (with too much CGI blood) .
Don't get me wrong - as a mindless piece of action fluff, this is entertaining enough for a one-time watch - and I've always got time for Gillan (even if she doesn't quite suit the role of bad-ass assassin), but I feel like the film falls short of being the delicious, thick, creamy, full-fat treat it should be (especially given the excellent cast, which also includes Angela Bassett, Lena Headey, Paul Giamatti and kung fu legend Michelle Yeoh).
And, yes, there is a character sporting an eye patch.
5.5/10, generously rounded up to 6 for IMDb.
