Novocaine: A Painless yet Slight Action Excursion

Neutered but dynamic fight scenes elevate this clever action comedy slightly above mediocrity.

I expected good fight scenes and got them. Novocaine is about a guy who medically can’t feel pain trying to save his love interest from bank robbers. Jack Quaid plays the guy who can't feel pain, and Amber Midthunder plays the love interest. It initially feels predictable but keeps in line with its goofy premise with suitably silly and gory fight scenes. These scenes are well choreographed and utilized, especially when watching in 4DX, as I did. Despite the good acting and combat, I was underwhelmed by the film overall because each set piece didn’t feel adequately surprising. I'd recommend it nonetheless because it’s much better than expected, but it didn’t reach deliriously extraordinary heights of action.

There’s little character development, but it makes up for it in its fighting sequences. They’re all pretty dynamic and very well-shot. I also like Jack Quaid and Amber Midthunder’s chemistry, which was another highlight. One aspect I felt was lacking from this was going one step further with fights. They’re all heightened and gory but don’t feel stretched to the most ridiculous degree. They're more focused on a punchline or joke about pain than upping the thrill.

My other main complaint is that I was introduced to Amber Midthunder through Prey, which made me aware of her physicality for action. It’s annoying how, while used well for her charm, she’s otherwise just there in a role many people could play. It would be more subversive for her character to do more. She's still good, but I’d rather see her lead a movie like this in the future.

This was my first time trying 4DX. I did not know it was 4DX until I saw that’s the theater we were in. That shit throws you AROUND. Sometimes, a car will topple over, and it feels like it happened to you in the seat—crazy experience. There are a lot of jabs in the seat for every punch. I’m not mad at it, though. I’ll probably voluntarily do it again. Not for this film, but something else.

Overall, I enjoyed the film as its leads, Jack Quaid and Amber Midthunder, elevate it above the regular John Wick clone fair. The fight scenes are great, if not restaurants. Amber Midthunder is great dramatically but underutilized physically. Seeing this in 4DX greatly enhances the experience. I recommend it regardless of my criticisms because it’s very fun despite them. I’d watch a sequel.

I liked the movie. I’d give it 3.5 stars. Look out for my next review!