Article contributed by Sophie Sorrell
Cast: Karen Gillan, Lena Headey, Carla Gugino, Michelle Yeoh, Angela Bassett, Paul Giamatti, Chloe Coleman
Director: Navot Papushado
Writers: Nabot Papushado, Ehud Lavski
In essence, Gunpowder Milkshake is exactly what the title promises it to be: a big dose of fundamentally frothy, sugary violence. Ironically, drinking an actual milkshake whilst watching the film is not recommended as various scenes may have the capacity to make you lose your lunch (in other words, there is gore. A lot of gore. It might be cartoonish at times, but caution in your choice of beverage is still advised).
Karen Gillan stars as Sam, an elite assassin raised by a shady group of gangsters called The Firm. She is going about her business as usual, executing hits and collecting kills, until she accidentally kills the wrong man and triggers a war with a crime syndicate. Veering off mission to rescue an eight-year-old child (Chloe Coleman), Sam ends up with a target on her back and assassins coming for her from every direction. In order to survive, Sam reunites with a group of female assassins called The Librarians (Angela Bassett, Michelle Yeoh, and Carla Gugino), and her mother Scarlet (Lena Headey), who abandoned her as a child.
If we’re sticking with the milkshake metaphor, this film comes with all the toppings in the shop. Deeply stylised, complete with slow motion shootouts and oodles of guts and gore, Gunpowder Milkshake, much like it’s title, is a motley, neo-noir collection of ‘that which looks cool.’ That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but the offbeat nature of the film isn’t going to be to everyone’s taste. The film is clearly the cumulation of the writers and the stellar cast having a wickedly fun time. We’re treated to a neon-splashed platter of brutal fights and attempted assassinations, which take place everywhere from an all-American style diner, to a hospital, to a mysterious ornate library, and even to a bowling alley (because why not? It’s a good excuse to pull out the bowling balls and make a quick costume change into a bowling jacket in the process).
The premise had some brilliant promise—a secret organisation of female assassins operating behind the cover of a library? Yes please! But unfortunately some of the most interesting concepts in the script, like the Library and the sisterhood of the Librarians, were only explored at surface level. It would have been a treat to see some of the characters further fleshed out; Bassett, Yeoh and Gugino in particular, though great in their appearances, were largely under-utilised. Similarly, the plot also held additional untapped potential; the storyline, while functional, could have been more refined and ideas pushed further in certain areas. The film skated by on concept, cast and visuals, much like (and the milkshake metaphors continue) piling the cherries and sprinkles on top of a standard base flavour of shake.
Still, if looking for some sweet, screen time confection, this movie should definitely be a choice on the menu. Bullets fly as Sam is forced to go up against wave after wave of generic bad-guy goons (with varying levels of intelligence and competence) in some progressively ridiculous scenarios (after the neon-tinted craziness that is the bowling alley fight, she loses the ability to move her arms and is forced to defend herself by taping guns and knives to her hands and basically swinging herself around). The pacing dips in areas, but there are numerous set pieces and the film never completely runs aground. In the third act, we get the promised all-out war, delivered with all the spectacle of a shooter style video-game.
It might not reach Nolan levels of depth, but there’s plenty to be enjoyed if you’re in the mood for some off-kilter action to douse your night in shades of neon pink, gun metal grey and (consequently) a lot of red blood. And of course, it’s always fun to see some accomplished female assassins, played by accomplished female actors, banding together, having a good time and shooting up the place.
