It's become increasingly common to start reviews addressing external controversies, and I want to state upfront that any issues surrounding this film didn’t affect my opinion. It's frustrating how many movies now have problems separate from their story or characters. People should feel free to watch whatever they choose; no one needs to be forced to see a particular film. As long as reviews aren’t unfairly negative due to external factors, I’m fine with people skipping them. That being said… I really enjoyed *Guns Akimbo*! How could anyone not be entertained by Daniel Radcliffe in a robe with guns attached to his hands? Or Samara Weaving, who brings an even greater level of craziness than she did in *Ready or Not*? There’s no denying that this film is violent and bloody, and it doesn't shy away from having a clear social commentary. That commentary is obvious: Internet trolls are the worst! I actually wish Jason Lei Howden had pushed things further. The movie has so much potential, and while it’s comfortably above average, it could have been among the most entertaining films of recent years. Still, I love this take on a subject that online film critics especially unfortunately deal with every day. Part of me wished it were real—every time a “troll alert” went off, those people would have to leave their couches and fight other online cowards to the death in person… okay, maybe not *that* extreme, but you get my point. The action is as wild as the concept itself. It’s one of those movies that asks viewers to simply accept and enjoy unrealistic, over-the-top action sequences. The camera work (cinematography by Stefan Ciupek) complements the videogame-style action, and while some scenes are admittedly too extreme, most are either purely entertaining or genuinely hilarious. And Michael Bay, if you’re reading this: *Guns Akimbo* shows a great example of how to make explosions look cool and advance the story at the same time. The two leads are fantastic and have good chemistry. Daniel Radcliffe has been doing some work that hasn't gotten enough attention post-Harry Potter (definitely check out *Swiss Army Man*), and he’s consistently funny throughout the film. Samara Weaving seems to have found her niche portraying completely unhinged, insane psychopaths. Both deliver incredibly entertaining performances, carrying the movie through its wild action and comedic moments. Jason Lei Howden doesn't quite manage the film's pacing well, but it never becomes a major problem. The tone is spot-on, though. *Guns Akimbo* doesn’t try to be anything more than what it is. It keeps the story simple and fun without complex layers or romantic subplots. It doesn’t attempt to manipulate the audience with an emotional scene just because the action seems absurd. It's a story driven by entertainment, not deep character development, and there’s nothing wrong with that. *Guns Akimbo* is easily the craziest movie of 2020 so far. Jason Lei Howden doesn’t hold back on the brutal, violent, bloody, extremely over-the-top action, and as long as viewers can accept this purposefully unrealistic depiction of a real-life videogame deathmatch, it's a blast. The social message is clear and perfectly suited for today’s online trolls who hide behind their screens. Daniel Radcliffe and Samara Weaving are amazing together, both delivering hilarious performances. Unfortunately, the film doesn’t quite reach its full potential; it lacks control over its pacing. I genuinely wish Howden had gone all-out with the social theme. It's a good, fun movie, but it could have been great. Still, I recommend it—unless the silly controversy surrounding this film clouds your judgment. If that’s the case, just skip it and let others enjoy it. Rating: B

Source on TMDB