Jennifer Lopez, at 53, continues to amaze audiences with massive concerts and delights with new comedies after a quiet period. In her new film 'Shotgun Wedding', the actress-singer-just-Plain-beauty, along with Josh Duhamel, tries to save yet another...

Tom and Darcy (like characters straight out of a Jane Austen novel) are about to celebrate their wedding surrounded by family and friends in the Philippines. Guests in their finest attire are gathered on the beach, waiting for the love-struck couple, when suddenly pirates take them hostage. Now the late-to-the-ceremony bride and groom must save everyone, including their own future marriage.

If anyone can be called a guarantee of stability, it's Jennifer Lopez. She continues to release not only music hits but also happily stars in comedies that, in spirit, recall the films of the 2000s — the kind we sometimes miss nowadays due to the new morality of the film industry. And 'Shotgun Wedding' is one of those traditional, unapologetic rom-coms. Unpretentious, not aiming for depth or any particular message, but bringing joy and leaving you in a good mood after watching.

The film's main asset is its actors. First and foremost, J.Lo, who seems to have decided to work through her personal issues not with a therapist, but with directors. Her previous rom-com, 'Marry Me' (2022), touched on her challenging path in show business: the contradictions of fame and the difficulty of getting recognition. In 'Shotgun Wedding,' the actress appears to be exploring her own love life: both past (with Alex Rodriguez) and present (with Ben Affleck). It's all mixed up, as Duhamel's character blends traits of both.

It probably wasn't intentional, or maybe it's all just the reviewer's fancy, but still, the similarities are there. And perhaps it's this (potential) invisible link between the film's plot and the actress's real life that grabs you the most in these otherwise rather ordinary comedies.

Moreover, like Channing Tatum in 'The Lost City' and 'Bullet Train,' J.Lo skillfully employs self-irony: about her age, her body, her appearance, and her biography in general.

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Is that genetics or like Pilates? — asks Jennifer Coolidge's character, voicing probably everyone's question who has ever seen J.Lo after 30.

And that's where Jennifer Coolidge comes in — the second standout star of this film. The actress doesn't stray far from her character in the series 'The White Lotus': she continues to charm with her spontaneity, silliness, and innocent condescension toward others. Every scene she's in is another reason to laugh.

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As for the leading man — Josh Duhamel, it's clear the actor had a great time on set. He and J.Lo make a cute couple, though they lack just a bit of chemistry. But Armie Hammer, who was canceled due to scandal, probably wouldn't have been a better fit either. With Owen Wilson in 'Marry Me,' the duo was more interesting.

Among the other men worth noting in the film is Lenny Kravitz's character, who looms in the background. The artist has been focused on music lately, but clearly the cinema still calls. While he didn't shine with his acting talent here, he proved he's definitely kept himself in good shape.

Speaking of the film itself, there's nothing super special about it. It's cut from the same genre cloth with traditional plot stages, similar to the recent 'The Lost City' — a new take on 1984's 'Romancing the Stone' (and many other comedies). Only there Sandra Bullock ran through the jungle in a tight sequined dress, and here J.Lo struts in a wedding gown. But credit where it's due to the designers of 'Shotgun Wedding': they seem to have been inspired by 'Mad Max' when creating the villains' costumes.

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On the other hand, what could you expect from Jason Moore, the director of the first 'Pitch Perfect'? Especially with Ryan Reynolds on the production team, who was also considered for the lead role (and, of course, J.Lo herself was a producer). The result is, while not essential, a fun and lively action rom-com with jokes and charming actors — a pleasant way to switch off your brain and have a good evening.

In Russia, 'Shotgun Wedding' will hit theaters on February 14, supported by Global Film.