Movie Review: ‘Shotgun Wedding’

Premiering on Prime Video January twenty seventh is the brand new romantic motion comedy ‘Shotgun Wedding,’ which was directed by Jason Moore (‘Pitch Perfect’).

The new film stars Jennifer Lopez (‘Hustlers’) and Josh Duhamel (‘Bandit’) as Darcy and Tom, respectively, who resolve to have a vacation spot marriage ceremony on a small island. As their household and pals arrive, together with Darcy’s Ex-boyfriend Sean (Lenny Kravitz), the couple get chilly toes and start to argue. But they quickly should come collectively to avoid wasting the marriage visitor’s when they’re all taken hostage by Pirates.

In addition to Lopez, Duhamel, and Kravitz, the forged additionally consists of Jennifer Coolidge (‘American Pie’), Sonia Braga (‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’), Cheech Marin (‘Coco’), D’Arcy Carden (‘The People We Hate at the Wedding’), and Callie Hernandez (‘La La Land’).

The result’s an entertaining and humorous romantic motion comedy, which options sturdy performances from the forged however can be very predictable.

I’m a sucker for any film with a ‘Die Hard’ theme. It doesn’t matter whether it is ‘Die Hard’ on a airplane (‘Passenger 57’) or ‘Die Hard’ within the White House (‘Olympus Has Fallen’), I’ll watch it! Which might be why I loved ‘Shotgun Wedding’ as a result of it’s mainly simply ‘Die Hard’ at a marriage. With all of the ‘Die Hard’ clones which were made over time, I used to be stunned to understand that nobody had considered setting it at a marriage till now.

Originally conceived as a automobile for Ryan Reynolds, who nonetheless serves as government producer, the movie was clearly retooled for Jennifer Lopez’s strengths as soon as she got here on board the venture. And Lopez is uniquely certified to star on this explicit movie as she is each plausible in romantic comedies like ‘The Wedding Planner’ and ‘Maid in Manhattan,’ in addition to motion films like ‘Out of Sight’ and ‘Parker.’ Lopez is in full command within the romantic scenes with Duhamel, however she will be able to additionally maintain her personal within the comedic scenes with Jennifer Coolidge, and appears utterly plausible firing an enormous gun on the dangerous guys.

In some methods, that is actually the whole Jennifer Lopez efficiency as you get a little bit little bit of the whole lot she’s good at, together with singing, as there may be one musical quantity on the finish of the film.

Veteran actor Josh Duhamel might be greatest recognized from his appearances within the ‘Transformers’ films, however has by no means actually been given the chance to shine till now. Not not like Lopez, ‘Shotgun Wedding’ offers Duhamel a possibility to mix his comedic expertise together with his skill to be plausible in an motion position. The actor has some very humorous moments within the film, in addition to candy romantic scenes with Lopez, but in addition excels as an action-hero, together with J. Lo.

Jennifer Coolidge, lastly a family title for her work on ‘The White Lotus’ and her award season acceptance speeches, performs Tom’s overprotective mom and is hilarious as all the time within the half. She primarily performs the identical fundamental character she all the time performs, but it surely works completely for this venture. She has nice chemistry with Lopez, and even will get to shoot a gun herself in a single scene.

Cheech Marin and Sonia Braga have been additionally good to see enjoying Darcy’s estranged mother and father, and Marin has some enjoyable scenes with D’Arcy Carden, who performs his new girlfriend. Marin additionally has a humorous storyline with Lenny Kravitz’s Sean, Darcy’s ex-boyfriend who her father continues to be in contact with and invitations to the marriage. Kravitz in all probability offers the weakest efficiency within the film, and is mainly simply enjoying a model of himself. The character may need labored higher if he really performed himself, and if Darcy’s ex was the true Lenny Kravitz! Unfortunately, as it’s within the film, the fun of seeing Kravitz on display screen wears off fast and you’re left with a lackluster efficiency.

In truth, the most important downside with the movie is its predictability. Obviously, we all know that Tom and Darcy will survive, they’ll save the visitors, and get married by the top of the film, however we get there with none actual surprises, which makes the film drag at instances. Even the reveal of the “true villain” within the third act was no actual shock, and will have been extra of a thriller.

While the romantic comedy components are baked into the premise of the movie, it’s the motion sequences directed by Jason Moore that actually make the movie work. There is an exciting zipline scene with Duhamel, and Lopez has some nice moments with a hand grenade. But top-of-the-line motion scenes within the film entails a helicopter/boat chase on the finish of the movie.

At the top of the day, ‘Shotgun Wedding’ is a satisfying and entertaining romantic motion comedy due to the sturdy performances from Lopez and Duhamel, who excel on this particular style. It works as a cute rom-com, but in addition as an enormous price range motion film, and the supporting forged, particularly Coolidge assist fill out the movie, even whether it is predictable at instances.

‘Shotgun Wedding’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.