Guns Up follows Ray Hayes (Kevin James), as an ex-cop and devoted husband and father who leads a dangerous double life as a mob henchman. On the brink of leaving “The Family” and making his dream of opening a diner with his wife Alice (Christina Ricci) a reality, his final job goes off the rails. With the clock ticking, Ray has one night to get his unsuspecting family out of the city before he gets snuffed out.

This action/comedy romp comes from writer/director Edward Drake with an eclectic supporting cast that includes Luis Guzman, Mellisa Leo & Joey Diaz.

 

Kevin James has certainly had a surprising latter part of his career with choices that have challenged his reputation for laugh out loud comedies such as a darker turn in the 2020 horror ‘Becky’ and now taking on the action heavy role of slightly unwilling mobster Ray who is trying to make a better life for his family whilst struggling to get out of the ‘life’. He has an agreement with his boss (a delightful turn from Mellisa Leo as mob ‘godmother’ Michael) that he can quit whenever he wants. However when a rival crime boss takes over it turns out it won’t be that simple….with that being said this a rather standard tried-and-tested premise so it really comes to life with the performances with James clearly enjoying the change of pace. 

Christina Ricci as the family’s mother Alice also gets a lot to do, especially after a third-act revelation that almost flips the film on it’s head and her charecter really comes to life with some fun action sequences throughout.

The supporting cast are also very enjoyable, especially Luis Guzmans Ignatius Locke a charming quietly scheming henchman and his loyal mobster barman friend Charlie (Joey Diaz).

3/5 – A fun action/comedy romp with surprising performances from Kevin James and Christina Ricci. 

---

Guns Up is available to rent now on Amazon Prime UK, Amazon US and all other major VOD platforms.