‘Jackpot!’ Review: Awkwafina & John Cena Fight Off Lotto Fever Gone Berserk In Action Comedy That Forgot The Laughs
deadline.comJackpot! is a Jackie Chan movie desperately in need of Jackie Chan. An homage to the great international action comedy star from screenwriter Rob Yescombe, a video game writer-designer now turning to the big screen, this over-the-top frenetic stew not only lacks Chan to make it hum, it also lacks any sense of credibility in order to keep us engaged with its absurd premise.
Set in a decaying Los Angeles (Atlanta subs for it) in 2026 — two years from now, when the filmmakers apparently think America has gone to hell — we are introduced right from the start to the Grand Lottery, a contest that promises untold riches to whoever can survive actually winning it and avoid being killed by the rabid citizenry.
But if they succeed in knocking you off within 24 hours, they will get the money promised by your ticket. Think of it as sort of a comedic Purge.
Thus, Rugged Man Seann William Scott is in a battle for his life that ends when a kindly older woman (Dolly De Leon) succeeds in offing him and thereby is greeted by Johnny Grand (Murray Hill), the flashy emcee of the lottery who arrives at her doorstep with a check for $22 million.
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