“Eenie Meanie” follows a former teenage getaway driver who is forced back into her old criminal life to save her unreliable ex-boyfriend.
Strong Start with Character Work
The film succeeds at introducing compelling characters early on. Edie (Samara Weaving) is instantly likable, with a sharp and charismatic presence. Meanwhile, John (Karl Glusman) is unpredictable, his chaotic nature making him both frustrating and intriguing.
The pair bounce off each other well – most often while arguing. This early characterization allows “Eenie Meanie” to work in its opening stretch, raising questions while setting up a promising journey.
A Movie of Moments, Not Momentum
“Eenie Meanie” is a film of moments. Bursts of action and inventive car chases deliver what the movie aims for. It has creative and visceral sequences that jolt the screen to life whenever the characters get behind the wheel.
Everything in between, however, is forgettable. Despite the early investment in its characters, “Eenie Meanie” abandons that promise for clichés and hollow dialogue. Between the chases, conversations spin in circles, rarely adding weight. The film stops building on its leads and falters because of it.
The result is an uneven experience that at times feels like a chore. What begins as a taut, dramatic thriller quickly slides into a generic retread. “Eenie Meanie” wants to be “Baby Driver,” but lacks the compelling backbone to get there.
The most engaging threads feel rushed, while dull and unnecessary detours drag on. The central story is hollow, with side plots receiving more attention than they deserve.
Performances and Finale Keep it Alive
Weaving is the film’s saving grace. She lights up every scene, pulling focus with her magnetic presence. Glusman, Steve Zahn, Jermaine Fowler and Marshawn Lynch add bursts of fun as well, leaning into the film’s humor.
Playing a gallery of bumbling characters, the ensemble makes the most of their roles. Many of the jokes land thanks to their delivery. While the humor isn’t razor-sharp, it earns enough laughs to keep things moving.
It takes patience, but the final act delivers. The climax unleashes high-octane car chases across varied settings, topped off with shootouts and escalating action.
More surprisingly, the conclusion manages to disrupt its own formula. Despite uneven character progression, the last 20 minutes bring things together with coherence and even a spark of emotion. It’s not heart-wrenching, but it lingers enough to elevate the finale above the stereotypes.
“Eenie Meanie” has the engine, but no oil to keep it running. Built on scattered moments instead of momentum, it loses focus in all the wrong places. There’s a better movie buried in here somewhere, but this version stalls out.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
