Red One (2024)

Early Review: Red One (2024)
Director: Jake Kasdan
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, J.K. Simmons
Screenplay: Chris Morgan
Runtime: 124 minutes
Rated: PG-13 for action, some violence, and language

If disliking Red One lands me on the naughty list, so be it.

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, to save him. Drift teams up with hacker Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans), who inadvertently helped the kidnappers by leaking crucial information. Together, they must rescue Santa and, by extension, Christmas itself.

At first glance, Red One might seem like a quirky holiday action-comedy with big names and a unique premise. However, despite its potential, the film falls flat in many areas, leaving a sense of disappointment. The premise, involving the North Pole as a mix between Thor’s Asgard and Black Panther’s Wakanda, feels like an attempt to emulate the Marvel formula, but without the compelling storytelling or character depth that makes Marvel movies so engaging. The characters are visually stunning, and the action is well-crafted, but much of the film lacks the heart and energy expected from a holiday adventure.

Jake Kasdan, who directed the Jumanji reboots, has a knack for surprising audiences with unexpected depth and humor. Unfortunately, Red One doesn’t have that same magic. The film’s tone is too serious, and while the action sequences are exciting, the jokes rarely land, making it feel more like an action movie with a holiday setting than the fun, festive comedy it could have been.

Dwayne Johnson, who has made a name for himself playing larger-than-life characters, delivers another performance that feels very much like "The Rock" in a Christmas movie. It's a persona that’s getting tired and one that doesn’t offer much room for growth or nuance. This is a shame because the character, Callum Drift, could have been more, but Johnson doesn’t bring anything new to the table. The same can be said for Chris Evans, who plays the cynical hacker Jack O'Malley. Despite Evans' usual charisma, his character comes off as unlikable, which is a tough feat for an actor known for playing the beloved Captain America.

J.K. Simmons, however, shines in his brief role as Santa Claus. While his screen time is limited, he brings warmth and humor to the character, and there's one standout sequence that has him delivering gifts in an action-packed montage. It’s a highlight, but unfortunately, his performance is too brief to save the film.

One of the most frustrating aspects of Red One is its missed opportunities. The North Pole’s setup is introduced as something magical and unique, but the film doesn’t take the time to explore it fully. There are plot points that are painfully predictable, and moments that could have been fun (like when Jack is captured in a crate) are squandered. Even small touches, like making the crate resemble a gift box, would have added some much-needed levity, but instead, the film sticks to a serious tone that doesn’t work for this kind of story.

In the end, Red One is a missed opportunity. It’s a movie with great potential that never quite delivers. The serious tone, lackluster jokes, and predictable story make for a film that feels more like a chore than a holiday treat. There’s a faint message about redemption and the spirit of Christmas, but it gets lost in the noise of the action and missed gags.

While the film may have a solid Santa portrayal from Simmons, it’s not enough to redeem the film as a whole. Red One feels like a holiday movie that could have been so much better. Unfortunately, it doesn’t live up to its potential, and the audience deserves a more engaging, fun holiday adventure.

Rating: 2/5
Red One is a film that promises much but ultimately falls short. It’s not a total disaster, but it’s a deeply underwhelming holiday movie that doesn’t bring the fun or the heart one might expect from a Christmas-themed adventure.