As a seasoned moviegoer with over three decades of cinematic adventures under my belt, I must say that Red One has left me scratching my head more than once. This film seems like it was conceived during an intoxicated late-night brainstorming session at a Hollywood bar, where someone said, “Hey, let’s do a Christmas action-comedy with Chris Evans, The Rock, and J.K. Simmons as Santa!
The film titled “Red One” appears to be a bizarre imitation of a 30 Rock movie. The plot revolves around Chris Evans, who saves Christmas by guiding The Rock, Santa’s bodyguard, through a hidden mythological world to recover the kidnapped and incredibly muscular St. Nicholas, played by J.K. Simmons. Despite its trailers making it seem even more preposterous, Red One isn’t terrible, but it’s not good either. It’s merely average, a mediocre movie. If you watch it in the cinema, you might be disappointed, but watching it on a plane won’t be too bad. The question remains: how did a film with a skilled director, well-known Hollywood stars, and exhilarating scenes end up being “adequate” at best? This is because it lacks clarity about its intended audience. It’s a confusing blend of genres, an action-comedy Christmas movie that’s too crude for children but not amusing or mature enough for adults.
Some appealing aspects of the movie “Red One” can be highlighted. Simmons’ portrayal of Santa is heartwarming, insightful, and down-to-earth. It marks another impressive addition to the ranks of cinema’s top Old Saint Nicks for Simmons. Dwayne Johnson delivers a noteworthy performance in his role as the highly serious E.L.F., Callum Drift. He is the retiring head of Santa’s security team who had lost his Christmas spirit prior to Santa’s kidnapping. “Red One” may not be overtly comedic, but that isn’t due to The Rock’s acting. His subtle performance strikes a perfect chord between humor and intensity. Although he seems to embody the same character repeatedly, his portrayal in this movie is unique.
Kristofer Hivju, once known from Game of Thrones, transforms remarkably with great makeup and excels as the ominous Krampus in this film. Kiernan Shipka and Lucy Liu both present strong arguments for increased screen time, despite their characters in Red One not being particularly well-developed. The movie showcases some impressive action scenes, such as a high-speed chase across the North Pole that offers grandeur without losing clarity. Additionally, an extended battle with enchanted killer snowmen is surprisingly engaging. Director Jake Kasdan successfully maintains a balance between intensity and sweetness throughout the film.
In essence, there’s not much to dislike about the film “Red One“, but unfortunately, many aspects fail to impress. Actor Chris Evans isn’t poor in his performance, but the script provides him limited opportunities. He takes on the role of Jack O’Malley, a character that perfectly showcases Evans’s sardonic yet appealing side. However, Jack is meant to be humorous, and the film unfortunately misses this mark. The humor and tone appear geared towards an 11-year-old audience, leaving everyone else indifferent. It’s too edgy for younger viewers and too dull for those older. Rarely do jokes or comedic moments bring about genuine laughter; usually, they evoke a more subdued response, such as “Oh…that’s supposed to be funny.
The film incorporates mythical beasts and rich Christmas folklore, yet fails to elevate its most creative concepts beyond being merely clever. Despite some moments that could have been truly inspiring or humorous, they fall short. Overall, it’s passable, but not exceptional. However, the issue arises when considering family viewership. Although it appears suitable for all ages, it might not be appropriate for families with young children due to frequent fighting (mostly bloodless), inappropriate language such as “dickhead” and “asshole,” and instances where stronger language seems to have been censored at the last minute. This is occasionally used humorously.
Red One seems to have struggled with its identity, desiring to cater to both adult and child audiences. As a result, it appears to lack the seasoning needed to fully become an engaging movie for adults, much like a gourmet dish without any spices that is still suitable for children to eat.
Red One could have benefited from fully embracing its film style reminiscent of 30 Rock. However, it lacks the necessary elements to be either entertainingly dumb or intelligently good. Therefore, while it’s superior to receiving a lump of coal in your stocking, it’s the kind of present you might want to exchange for something more appealing.
Red One ⭐ (2.5 of 5)
Red One releases on November 15, 2024.
Mikey Walsh serves as a staff writer at TopMob. You can keep up with his updates on Bluesky under the handle @burgermike, and he’s often found among those who are evaluating the Targaryen monarchs.
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2024-11-13 20:03