Red One (2024)

Synopsis

While Santa Claus (J. K. Simmons) prepares for his annual holiday run, a black ops team infiltrates the North Pole. Despite the best efforts of Santa’s chief of security, Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson), he gets taken prisoner. Drift informs Zoe Harlow (Lucy Liu), the head of the Mythological Oversight and Restoration Authority, about the kidnapping. They discover a mercenary tracker named Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans) was responsible for compromising the North Pole’s secret location. They bring Jack in for questioning, but he says he had no idea what he was doing and that an anonymous buyer paid him. Though skeptical, Drift agrees to accompany O’Malley in finding the buyer to figure out who kidnapped Santa. Through the broker, Ted (Nick Kroll), they learn the kidnapper was the winter witch, Grýla (Kiernan Shipka). It’s up to Drift and O’Malley to stop Grýla and get Santa back to save Christmas.

Review

Since its release, Red One has been getting negative reviews, and many predict it will fail at the box office. I’m here to say that while I wouldn’t call it outstanding, Red One isn’t as bad as some critics say. If you’ve seen either of the modern Jumanji movies, you should know what to expect with this. Red One isn’t the kind of movie that will offer some life-changing perspective or essential message. It’s a silly Christmas action movie with some big stars and a ridiculous premise that doesn’t take itself seriously. Sure, it may come off as bland or cliche-ridden, but a movie doesn’t have to be original to be entertaining. Granted, much better Christmas action movies like Die Hard and Lethal Weapon are readily available. However, those movies are R-rated, which limits the accessibility for younger audiences, whereas this is PG-13, so bring the kids.

Despite the production issues he may have caused, Dwayne Johnson still shows why he’s such a bankable lead. He takes the role seriously enough that audiences can buy it, which pairs well with Chris Evans’ sarcastic attitude. Kiernan Shipka is an entertaining villain with her devilish grin and confident presence, and she never veers into camp. Kristofer Hivju is the scene stealer as Krampus, his boisterous attitude and larger-than-life personality making him a stand-out. It helps that the creature effects used to bring him and his guests to life are excellent. Unfortunately, Lucy Liu and Bonnie Hunt aren’t given much to do except occasionally exchange exposition dialogue. Similarly, J. K. Simmons has some great moments with Johnson, but after his kidnapping, he just sits around doing nothing. The rest of the cast comprises unmemorable extras or CGI creations that litter the background.

Even though this movie isn’t meant to be taken seriously, there are some legitimate problems. For one, at slightly over two hours, it is much too long, and much could’ve been trimmed. A movie like this should’ve lasted 90 minutes, maybe an hour and 45 minutes at max. Also, while the film has some fun, well-shot action sequences, many involve people fighting CGI monsters. Plus, the movie tries adding some emotional depth with a subplot involving Evans’ estranged family that goes nowhere. Depending on your perspective, I had the pleasure or displeasure of seeing this in IMAX, which ultimately adds nothing. If you’re curious, I’d say see it at a matinee showing or wait to rent it digitally. Please don’t go into it expecting anything more than what it is: a fun but silly popcorn movie. Overall, Red One isn’t great, but you could always do worse.

Red One is currently in theaters.