Shoot the Hero

I recently received a movie via Netflix that I had zero expectations from. With that in mind, forgive if I oversell this movie for more than it is, afterall it’s really easy to exceed low expectations.

Shoot The Hero is a quirky action-comedy starring Jason Mewes. Right there, you know why I watched it. Also appearing are Danny Trejo, Fred Williamson, and Katie Morgan. Not a cast one usually sees headlining a movie, but they were enjoyable none-the-less.

The plot is a little convoluted at first, especially when the point of view shifts from Mewes to The Smith Brothers. One has to wonder if the Smith Brothers are any relation to Kevin. They debate comic books, quote movies, and one of them is a little on the heavy side. Probably just a coincidence. I’ll try to sum up the movie without spoiling the one entertaining aspect of the movie.

Nate (played by Jay) takes his overbearing girlfriend, Kate, to a jewelry store to pick out engagement rings. While they drive there, she bitches about being blindfolded and that he’d best not be taking her to another comic book movie. This relationship sounds great, right? The jewelry store is closed when they arrive, cue more snide remarks from the girlfriend. Nate begs his way into the store and they look at rings. Enter robbers. A group of masked thieves enter with guns and rob the place. The lovebirds hide behind a counter and the girl does not stop bitching. There are two disputes going on in the room and they are cut together in alternating shots. As the argument between the couple heats up and nears its end, the other dispute peaks into a violent shoot off that leaves all but two of the thieves alive. The robbery was planned by Franklin in an attempt to take down Crazy Joe (a mob boss who is apparently crazy, and named Joe) but the group he assembled were in Joe’s pocket. They turn on him. When the shoot out is over Nate and his girl try to leave. Nate encourages the guy to shoot his bitchy would-be fiancée. This ends with Nate beating the lone robber to a pulp and stealing the bag of diamonds and cash. They ride off into the sunset.

Enter The Smith Bros. Two slackers who do nothing but bicker more than Nate and his girlfriend. They end up in a mercenary training camp (led by Shaft himself). This scene seems way out of place. In fact I found myself asking what the hell these two losers have to do with anything so far. Just hold tight, it all makes some sense later on. When they escape the mercs they hitch a ride with none other than Nate and Kate, his now fiancée (on their way to Vegas to get married)

Here is where the plots intertwine in a very Tarantino-esque twist (guns, blood and death are a must here). The end of the movie is decided by a game of paper, rock, scissors. That is all I’ll say so I don’t spoil anything for those who might watch it.

While this is not a movie I would buy and rewatch, it was a very entertaining schlocky film that required little thought. If you want a popcorn movie to sit back and enjoy – rent this one. It’s worth at least one viewing.


Last Quote: The Mighty Boosh – “The Priest and the Beast”

Today’s Quote: “Let’s do our laundry.”