When Kevin James Goes Full John Wick: 'Guns Up' Delivers Unexpected Thrills
- Romey Norton
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
By Romey Norton - August 6, 2025
Picture this: Kevin James trading his delivery uniform for a gun holster, swapping suburban dad jokes for mob family drama. Sounds ridiculous? Welcome to Guns Up, the action-comedy that shouldn't work but somehow manages to charm its way into your popcorn-munching heart.
What is the film 'Guns Up' about?
Ray Hayes (Kevin James) isn't your typical suburban dad. By day, he's the devoted family man dreaming of opening a cozy diner with his wife Alice (Christina Ricci). By night? He's collecting debts for the mob. It's a premise that could have crashed and burned, but director Edward Drake finds surprising heart in this collision of domesticity and danger.
All Ray wants is to retire from the mob and be a better man, opening a diner with his family. His new boss however, wants Ray around for a long time, and in doing so threatens his family. What makes Guns Up unexpectedly engaging is how it treats Ray's predicament with genuine stakes. This isn't just slapstick comedy dressed up in gunfire – it's a surprisingly earnest story about a man desperate to protect his family from the consequences of his choices. When Ray's final job goes sideways, he has one night to get his unsuspecting family out of town before becoming mob target practice. Then there’s one hell of a twist, that you might see coming, if you’re really listening.
James and Ricci: An Unlikely Power Couple
It’s an explosive film from the start and one of the most electric parts is the acting. Kevin James as an action hero really works. There’s something exciting about watching the "The King of Queens" star navigate car chases and shootouts with the determination of a suburban dad assembling IKEA furniture – methodical, slightly panicked, but ultimately committed to getting the job done.
Christina Ricci brings her trademark blend of sweetness and steel to Alice, and their chemistry sells the central relationship. The pairing might seem weird for this genre, but it's one that works surprisingly well. Ricci's performance anchors the film's emotional core while delivering some of its biggest laughs. Together, the pair find humour in the absurdity of trying to maintain normal family life while dodging bullets.
Luis Guzman and Francis Cronin round out the supporting cast with the kind of reliable character work that makes even familiar mob movie tropes feel fresh. Melissa Leo, as always, elevates every scene she's in.
The action is exciting, and there is a lot of it, and this keeps the pace of the film running smoothly and audiences engaged. James might not have the physical presence of a traditional action star, but his everyman approach to violence, all nervous energy and improvised solutions, creates its unique tension.
A Film with Heart Beneath the Gunfire
Director Edward Drake's connection to themes of family loyalty permeates every frame. His director's statement reveals a filmmaker grappling with sacrifice, responsibility, and the lengths we go to protect those we love. That emotional authenticity elevates Guns Up above typical B-movie fare.
Yes, the film borrows heavily from Mr. & Mrs. Smith and countless other action-comedies about families with secrets. But sometimes familiar ingredients, when mixed with genuine affection for the characters, create something special and satisfying – a comfort movie you will watch time and time again.
With a fun, satisfying and suggestive of a second film ending, Guns Up is the action-comedy film of the year.
The Verdict: Unexpectedly Entertaining
Guns Up won't win any awards for originality, but it succeeds as crowd-pleasing entertainment that respects both its characters and its audience. It's a fun, family-friendly action flick that blends action, drama, and family dynamics, ideal for a popcorn night.
In an era of franchise filmmaking and committee-written blockbusters, there's something refreshing about a mid-budget action-comedy that simply wants to entertain. Guns Up delivers laughs, genuine thrills, and surprisingly touching family moments.
'Guns Up' is out now in cinemas, coming soon to digital platforms
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