This year for Christmas I decided to do 28 reviews of Christmas movies (new and old) for the 28 days leading up to Christmas Day. The movie Red One is the sixteenth Christmas film of this little end-of-year event. If you want to suggest a film, I’ll let you do so in the comments. Find previous films in clicking here.
???? Red One ???? // By Jake Kasdan. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans and Lucy Liu.
At the end of the year, Red OneAmazon’s latest blockbuster, aims to establish itself as a major Christmas production. Bringing together Jake Kasdan to direct and Dwayne Johnson to star, the team behind the recent installments of Jumanji returns for an adventure mixing action, comedy and festive magic. Unfortunately, this mixture of genres leaves a taste of unfinished business. With a colossal budget of $250 million, expectations were high. However, the end result struggles to captivate and sorely lacks the essence of Christmas. One of the first criticisms addressed to Red One is its inability to convey the magic one expects from a Christmas film. Despite the presence of typical elements like Santa Claus, elves or witches, the story surprisingly takes itself too seriously.
After Santa Claus – Code Name: Red – is kidnapped, the North Pole’s security chief must team up with the world’s most famous bounty hunter on an action-packed mission across the globe to save Christmas .
The mythological universe is presented in a cold and soulless manner, carried by an organization responsible for “managing” these legendary figures, but which lacks warmth and fantasy. Scenes supposed to evoke the magic of Christmas, such as those involving Krampus’ kingdom or the characters’ supernatural powers, are too quick and underused. These ideas could have enriched the film, but they remain superficial, lacking development or emotional impact. This minimalist treatment deprives the viewer of memorable and magical moments. Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans are at the heart of the film, but their duo never manages to convince. Their interactions lack naturalness, and the lack of chemistry between them considerably harms the humor and dynamics of the story.
Evans, known for his more serious or heroic roles, seems uncomfortable in this register, while Johnson, true to himself, imposes an imposing physical presence, but emotionally sterile. JK Simmons, on the other hand, shines as Santa Claus. With his natural charisma, he succeeds in embodying a figure who is both wise and robust, although his role is limited to a supporting role. This intelligent casting choice, however, does not compensate for the weaknesses of the other characters, who lack depth and coherence. The greatest weakness of Red One undoubtedly lies in its scenario. Written by Chris Morgan, known for his contributions to the saga Fast and Furiousthe story multiplies improbable twists and turns and gets lost in useless digressions. Rather than focusing on a clear, compelling plot, the film wanders into clumsily integrated subplots, making the whole thing confusing and overstuffed.
Furthermore, the film adopts a contradictory tone. On the one hand, it strives to deliver messages of personal development but on the other, it fails to instill a second degree capable of counterbalancing this heavy moralism. Result: the film oscillates between excessive seriousness and humor that often falls flat. With such a substantial budget, Red One impresses with its special effects and spectacular action sequences. However, this visual excess eventually becomes exhausting. The action scenes are often too long and chaotic, marred by choppy editing which makes them difficult to read. One scene in particular, that of the assault on Chris Evans’ character, illustrates this weakness: instead of being captivating, it becomes a messy and unattractive spectacle. Technological prowess here seems to supplant the narration, which prevents the viewer from immersing themselves in the story.
The film looks more like a demonstration of means than a sincere work, which further distracts it from the Christmas spirit. A Christmas film succeeds when it manages to touch the viewer’s heart, evoke childhood memories or convey a feeling of warmth and joy. Red One fails on these fronts, content to offer a flashy spectacle devoid of real emotion. The excess of action and bodybuilding takes precedence over sensitivity, which distances the film from its festive essence. The themes addressed, such as the return to childhood or the importance of magic, seem hypocritical in a context where everything is designed to dazzle rather than move. Sincerity is sorely lacking, and this is felt throughout the film. At the end of the day, Red One suffers from wanting to do too much. Rather than offering a refreshing or sincere vision of the genre, the film recycles ideas already seen, notably in the Jumanji de Kasdan.
This lack of risk-taking gives the impression of a product formatted to please the greatest number of people, but which fails to make an impression. The results remain mixed: despite some visually impressive moments, the absence of emotion, uninspired humor and a muddled plot make it a forgettable work. Christmas movie fans will be left wanting more, while action fans may find limited interest in the spectacular sequences. With Red OneAmazon had all the cards in hand to offer a memorable experience, but the film misses its objective. Too far from the spirit of Christmas, it becomes generic entertainment, without the magic that characterizes this type of production. If you’re looking for a real Christmas story, you’d better move on.
Note : 3/10. In short, a stuffy Christmas action comedy that lacks charm and magic.
Released on December 12, 2024 directly on Amazon Prime Video
