Jennifer Lopez film Shotgun Wedding branded 'mediocre' in reviews trends now
Jennifer Lopez's latest marital rom-com Shotgun Wedding has been branded 'capably mediocre' and an 'interminable slog' by critics in first reviews.
The film follows couple Darcy (Jennifer) and Tom (Josh Duhamel) as their 'extravagant destination wedding is hijacked by criminals'. Lenny Kravitz and comeback queen Jennifer Coolidge also star in the Jason Moore-directed flick.
However, the Amazon Prime film was slammed by critics over the 'lack of chemistry' between its leads, its 'lazy rehashing of wedzilla tropes' and for 'wasting the talent' of its star-studded cast.
Deadline critic Pete Hammond wrote: 'Its biggest problem is a complete lack of credibility or sense of reality that might make any of this over-the-top affair remotely plausible.
Oh dear: Jennifer Lopez's latest marital rom-com Shotgun Wedding has been branded 'capably mediocre' and an 'interminable slog' by critics in first reviews (pictured with Josh Duhamel in the film)
'The incredulity of it all won’t matter much to non-discerning viewers, however, who put pace and fun above logic and recognizable human beings.'
Variety critic Guy Lodge likened the 'capably mediocre' flick to an episode of The White Lotus 'directed by Sylvester Stallone' due to a plethora of explosive scenes centered around wealthy characters.
He wrote; 'Jason Moore's strangely sour romcom-action hybrid is comfort viewing for anyone who wants rich people to be the good guys again.
'Sometimes feeling like an episode of The White Lotus directed by Sylvester Stallone, Shotgun Wedding reverses the eat-the-rich sentiment recently popularized by that TV phenomenon, along with last year’s caustic One Percent satires Triangle of Sadness and The Menu. This time, the rich folks fight back. Perhaps some viewers will cheer them on.
Praised: The film follows couple Darcy (Jennifer) and Tom (Josh Duhamel) as their ' extravagant destination wedding is hijacked by criminals'. Lenny Kravitz and comeback queen Jennifer Coolidge (pictured) also also in the Jason Moore-directed flick
Response: However, the Amazon Prime film was slammed by critics over the 'lack of chemistry' between its leads, its 'lazy rehashing of wedzilla tropes' and for 'wasting the talent' of its star-studded cast
'When it sticks to the trivial stuff, Shotgun Wedding is at least capably mediocre.'
Hollywood Reporter critic Angie Han wrote: 'It is, in a lot of ways, the quintessential plane movie: not bad enough to be offensive, neither good enough to demand your full attention nor complicated enough to require it, and better than having nothing to watch at all.
'The promising cast struggle to make much of a script (written by Mark Hammer) that never seems to have imagined any of its characters’ lives or personalities outside this particular event.'
IndieWire critic Ella Kemp took aim at the film's 'flat storyline' but said Lopez and Coolidge shone in rare moments.
'The film feels ripped from 2002, or 2003 if you like, which was the last time she and Ben Affleck were together, before rekindling their relationship in April 2021 – which was also when the film wrapped. Coolidge is also a joy to watch off the back of her Golden Globe-winning turn as Tanya
'Shotgun Wedding falls flat as any kind of explosive or endearing couples comedy, but shines in moments thanks to the women anchoring its pirate antics.'
The Wrap's Elizabeth Weltzman lambasted the movie for its 'haphazard editing and inconsistent tone' while zeroing in on the lack of chemistry between Lopez and Duhamel.
Action: Deadline critic Pete Hammond wrote: 'Its biggest problem is a complete lack of credibility or sense of reality that might make any of this over-the-top affair remotely plausible
Pete Hammond, Deadline:
'Its biggest problem is a complete lack of credibility or sense of reality that might make any of this over-the-top affair remotely plausible.'
Guy Lodge, Variety:
'Sometimes feeling like an episode of The White Lotus directed by Sylvester Stallone, Shotgun Wedding reverses the eat-the-rich sentiment... When it sticks to the trivial stuff, Shotgun Wedding is at least capably mediocre.'
Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter:
'Nowhere is Shotgun Wedding's waste of talent more glaring than in its leading duo. Duhamel and Lopez spend a big chunk of the 100-minute run time literally handcuffed together, yet never generate enough chemistry to convince us they belong together.'
Elizabeth Weltzman, The Wrap:
'Unfortunately, though, the leads — both of whom radiate individual charisma — are entirely lacking in chemistry. And it’s not just them. There is little connection between anyone, or even any event, in a project that takes all its assets for granted.'
Marya E. gates, The Playlist:
'Unfortunately, memorable moments are few and far between here, and those are mostly spoiled by the film’s trailer.... If this kind of playful subversion of wedding day angst were employed more successfully throughout Shotgun Wedding, the film might have been the event of the season, rather than the interminable slog it is.'
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
Rating: 
'Well, it’s pretty good: enjoyably goofy and sparkily written. There are some nice gags here, and smart twists from screenwriter Mark Hammer, and some funny supporting turns. Jennifer Coolidge comes close to stealing the whole thing as Darcy’s eccentric future mother-in-law Carol.'
Tania Hussain, Collider:
'While no movie genre has ever been more
