What’s it about?

Sam (Karen Gillan) was only 12 years old when her mother Scarlet (Lena Headey), an elite assassin, was forced to abandon her. Sam was raised by The Firm, the ruthless crime syndicate her mother worked for. Now, 15 years later, Sam has followed in her mother’s footsteps and grown into a fierce hit-woman. She uses her “talents” to clean up The Firm’s most dangerous messes. She’s as efficient as she is loyal. But when a high-risk job goes wrong, Sam must choose between serving The Firm and protecting the life of an innocent 8-year-old girl — Emily (Chloe Colemaan). With a target on her back, Sam has only one chance to survive: Reunite with her mother and her lethal associates: The Librarians (Angela Bassett, Michelle Yeoh and Carla Gugino).

What did we think?

ANTHONY SHERRATT SAYS: Gunpowder Milkshake is full of bright lights, flashy fight scenes and strong female characters. It’s colourful in every sense of the word and is great fun. It’s lacking a little in-depth story development, but isn’t afraid to dip into the absurd for a good laugh (one fight scene where the combatants slug it out while handicapped is simply glorious). It’s not really anything new and is another victim of a trailer that shows too much, but it’s hard not to enjoy this non-stop romp. 

STEPHEN SCOTT SAYS: Look at that … the main character drinks milkshakes … AND she shoots guns! Did you see? The movie’s logo is in neon … and so are signs in important locations! Stop! Did you see the literal or figurative signpost indicating something relevant? Ok, Ok, some of the storytelling is a little heavy handed, and there are some sections that just don’t work (is it the editing in the Three Stooges-esque scene that lets it down? You tell me), but the rollercoaster ride of chaos driven by Karen Gillen’s devastating killing machine more than makes up for it. Come for the thrill of seeing Amy Pond relentlessly kill bad guys, stay for the over-the-top blood and bone exiting body parts in technicolour slo-mo. 3 / 5 stars