Digital Review - Guns Akimbo (2019)

Yesterday, Lionsgate Home Entertainment released the action flick Guns Akimbo (R; 98 minutes) on Blu-ray (+ Digital), DVD, and Digital, starring Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter films) and Samara Weaving (Ready or Not).

Written & directed by Jason Lei Howden, Guns Akimbo centers on a computer programmer nerd, Miles Lee Harris (played by Daniel Radcliffe. He spends his nights insulting fans online who like the live-streaming fight to the death, SKIZM. Late one night, SKIZM's leader, Riktor (played by Ned Dennehy), and his henchman come knocking at his door. They beat and drug him. He awakens the next morning to find guns bolted into both hands.

Confused, and wearing a robe, boxers, and tiger slippers, Miles figures out that he is the newest contestant of SKIZM. There's only one way to win the game. He must fight SKIZM's greatest player, a bloodthirsty woman named Nix (played by Samara Weaving), which will not be easy considering he's never shot a gun before today.

Blu-ray/DVD Special Features are:

• Audio Commentary with Writer-Director Jason Lei Howden 
• “Welcome to SKIZM” Featurette 
• “Nix vs. Dane Stunt Sequence Exploration” Featurette 

Final Thoughts

I'm a former Harry Potter fan who's never cared much for Daniel Radcliffe's acting. I had zero interest in seeing Guns Akimbo until I viewed the trailer (see above) and thought it might be fun to watch. After watching the movie on Google Play last night, there are only two words to describe the experience - "Holy shit!"

Guns Akimbo is a 98-minute adrenaline rush from start to finish. The violence is bloody and over-the-top, similar in fashion to a video game. It reminded me of Wanted (2008) and Crank (2006), only crazier. Daniel Radcliffe gives a believable performance as a geek who's forced to fight for his life. Samara Weaving is barely recognizable as the insane, gun-totting heroine.

Overall, Guns Akimbo is an entertaining, well-made gore-fest.