Far too many movies and television shows (proportionally) are being made about hit men, assassins, organized (or disorganized) crime and gangsters of all sorts, in my view.  This type of programming cannot help but glorify and popularize criminal behavior, even if it ostensibly condemns its own criminality.  Guns and gunplay appeal to hardcore beliefs, are relatively cheap and easy to stage, and are undeniably dramatic, which is why they are so prevalent in popular entertainment.  I find this rather depressing, but if filmmakers are going to make this sort of thing, then doing it in the manner of Guns Up is the best way to go about it.

Edward Drake’s film follows an overworked cop (Kevin James) who takes a side job as an enforcer for a New Jersey crime boss (Melissa Leo) to better provide for his growing family.  When that crime boss is eliminated by another, the new guy (Timothy V. Murphy) expects a lot from the now ex-cop, but all he wants is to be left alone to open the diner he has always dreamed about, with his wife (Christina Ricci).  Really poor timing frustrates his dream and forces him to face the truth of his life — and finally reveal it to his wife and kids.  But they have some surprises of their own.

While I am personally tired of this kind of material (which has been the case since the 1990s and Martin Scorsese’s powerful yet seemingly endless riffs on mob life) I don’t mind it so much when it is sly, either humorously or thematically, as this film is.  Guns Up is character based, rather tightly written, self-aware and culturally cognizant, and its humor appeals to me, as does its cast.  The other key element is violence, and of course this story is violent.  Lots of henchmen and gangster types are either shot or sliced and diced in absurdly acrobatic feats, yet it is presented in almost cartoon fashion.  Thankfully we are not forced to watch heads explode or really graphic stuff; the death quotient is high but the gore factor is minimal, which is how I prefer it.

This is a story that explores the morality of its characters.  They try to live by a code of honor (they even speak of it) even as they threaten, destroy, rob and kill in the name of survival of the boldest.  And when the seriousness of the story threatens to become a moralistic downer it turns comedic, as with Christina Ricci’s quick transformation from mild-mannered housewife to avenging angel.  It’s a winning strategy and it is quite appealing.  I rather enjoyed this movie, although I am not at all sure I would ever visit their hard-won diner.  ☆ ☆ 1/2.  13 May 2026.