Guns Up Movie Review (Spoiler Free)

When the King of Queens meets Nobody - This “mob enforcer” action flick is full of clichés, as it tries to navigate through intriguing ideas that just don't come together. It's a poor man's John Wick.

Genre: Action / Comedy

Director: Edward Drake

Cast: Kevin James, Christina Ricci, Francis Cronin, Timothy V. Murphy, Luis Guzmán, Maximilian Osinski, Joey Diaz, Keana Marie, Leo Easton Kelly & Melissa Leo.

Run Time: 91 min.

US Release: 18 July 2025 (limited release)

UK Release: 21 July 2025 (direct-to-video)

German Release: 12 June 2025

From Australian trash-action director Edward Drake comes a new flick starring Kevin James in one of his most unexpected roles. I first stumbled upon this release back in June, when I saw it advertised at the big cineplex I sometimes visit, and decided to give it a shot. While it turned out to be exactly what I expected, I was surprised to find that it wasn’t nearly as terrible as I had anticipated. Does it rely heavily on worn-out tropes? Absolutely. Does the deadpan comedy land? Not really. Yet somehow, it still manages to entertain slightly despite its many flaws. So, take cover, as I draw out my review for Guns Up.

A man who moonlights as a mob enforcer takes on a final job, which goes off the rails. With the clock ticking, he has one night to get his family out of the city before they get snuffed, while keeping his secret hidden from them.

The script, penned by the regisseur himself, is all set up but lacks any real payoff. The plot feels lazy plus unoriginal, rehashing the “retired henchman/assassin forced back into work” motif that has been done to death in recent years. Suffering from uneven pacing, the story is often disjointed, constantly jumping between family drama and over-the-top fight sequences, without the graceful balance of similar films. Then there is the dry comedy, which is occasionally effective but mostly falls flat.

The biggest issue, however, is that the narrative tries to force audiences to root for a main character whose motive for turning to crime is to open a family business diner, which simply isn’t relatable. The lead is also constantly thrown into impossible fights, yet never feels in real danger, undercutting any sense of tension.

The crime element, on the other hand, is genuinely intriguing, setting up two rival mob families, exploring the fallout when one takes over the other. Unfortunately, that thread gets bogged down by the story's central family premise. That said, it carries a distinct B-movie charm that makes it entertaining in its own right.

The dialogue is adequate for what this feature offers, though it serves no memorable lines. It often relies on clichéd conversations, while the stone-faced meta humour clashes with the serious action spectacle more often than not.

Kevin James takes on one of his most unexpected roles yet, a police officer-turned enforcer, who tries to leave his violent past behind. Astonishingly, he doesn’t do a bad job. Even if he is unconvincing as this dangerous guy, James does manage to inject moments of sincerity, as well as exhaustion, making the character somewhat believable. It’s clear he is putting effort into stepping outside his comfort zone, and that alone earns some respect. Regretably, his character has no moment of growth. 

Christina Ricci, as Ray’s wife, is the clear standout, with her physical performance being more credible than that of James. Her natural quirky darkness creates mystique around her persona, which is rewarded by a foreseeable, though acceptable twist.  

Timothy V. Murphy’s villain is, unfortunately, one of the film’s weakest links. He never comes across as truly threatening, instead leaning into an overly cartoonish performance that robs the story of any real stakes. To make matters worse, he’s barely on screen long enough to leave a lasting impression.

The supporting cast is a mixed bag. Some are sidekick parodies, while Luis Guzmán pretty much plays the same type of character he always does.

The cinematography is the feature’s strongest facet, steering clear of the shaky-cam gimmick in favour of a steady lens that provides clarity during battle scenes. The opening titles are creative, presented through an artistic montage. Sadly, the action often feels overly rehearsed, masking its lack of physical authenticity through quick cuts.  Its low-budget aesthetic highlights its B-movie roots, giving it an appeal.

The effects, meanwhile, seem secondhand, relying more on makeup to simulate cuts, scrapes, as well as burns, rather than on prosthetics or CGI. Its greatest strength lies in close-quarter fistfights plus shoot-outs, which lend it a grounded realism.

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Verdict: I went into this flick expecting the worst, especially given the director’s repertoire, but left more entertained than expected. That is not to say this is a good action flick. On the contrary, the screenplay - even with its brief flashes of intriguing ideas - suffers from terrible pacing, leaving its ninety-minute runtime feeling more like two-plus hours. It retreads too many action clichés we have seen countless times on screen, yet offers little new to differentiate itself. The blend of the “hit-man” arc is not woven in well into the family drama, and Kevin James simply isn’t believable as a mafia henchman. He does lend his character genuine vulnerability; however, it is Christina Ricci who outshines him in the physical scenes. The camera is the strongest element of this action comedy, though it tries to disguise James’ overly rehearsed combat segments with rapid cuts. In the end, I’ll give Guns Up a 4.5  out of 10. 

Better than I expected, but not really worth wasting money on it. It is more for a mindless, streaming night with friends. Have you seen Guns Out? What did you think of it? Thank you very much for reading & if you like this kind of content, don’t forget to share, like & subscribe.