Red One

Red One, directed by Jake Kasdan and starring Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans and J.K. Simmons, is an ambitious, action-packed Christmas film that aims to create a new Christmas movie franchise. With an impressive budget of $250 million and a mix of comedy, action and fantasy world-building, the film aims to redefine the Christmas genre. However, despite its ambition, Red One often feels like an overloaded Christmas stocking stuffer, brimming with brilliant ideas but lacking cohesion and genuine charm.

At its core, Red One aims to reinvent the North Pole and the Santa Claus myth for a modern audience. Instead of the traditional jolly old man of the North Pole, Santa (played by a muscular and committed J.K. Simmons) is the CEO of a militarized, high-tech operation. The North Pole is imagined as a sprawling futuristic metropolis that combines cutting-edge technology with holiday magic. Simmons' Santa is not just a benevolent gift-giver, he's also an action figure who works out and eats cookies, and commands a team of highly trained elves and security personnel. While this reimagining is visually impressive, it suffers from an overabundance of elements competing for attention. The North Pole is depicted as a sterile industrial center, with elves working tirelessly to fulfill their vacation duties. This modernization leans heavily on the Marvel-style aesthetic, with its muted tones and digital gloss, diminishing the sense of wonder traditionally associated with Christmas. Instead of feeling enchanted, audiences are likely to be overwhelmed by the amount of detail that accumulates in the set.

The film opens with Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson), Santa's head of security, contemplating retirement after centuries of service. Disillusioned by the growing number of people on the naughty list, Callum Drift strives to maintain his faith in the Christmas spirit. His cynicism contrasts sharply with Santa's unshakeable faith in humanity, paving the way for a thematic exploration of redemption and hope. The story kicks into high gear when Santa is kidnapped by Gryla, a malevolent Christmas witch played by Kiernan Shipka. Gryla plans to exploit Santa's magic to impose a harsh new system of judgment on the world, punishing all who are deemed evil.

Callum Drift is forced to team up with Jack O'Malley (Chris Evans), a morally dubious hacker and estranged father, to save Santa. This central premise has the potential to be a heartwarming and thrilling Christmas tale. However, the film struggles to strike a balance between its many moving elements. The story gets bogged down in excessive world-building, convoluted subplots and a lack of focus on the emotional core. Although the idea of pairing an immortal security chief with a cynical hacker offers an intriguing buddy-comedy dynamic, their partnership often feels underdeveloped, with the banter between Johnson and Evans rarely rising above the formulaic.

Dwayne Johnson's portrayal of Callum Drift is both a strength and a weakness. While Johnson's physique and charisma are undeniable, his performance seems restrained compared to his usual larger-than-life roles. Callum's world-weariness is a central aspect of the character, but it often comes across as austere and one-dimensional, leaving little room for the playful energy Johnson is known for. Chris Evans fares better as Jack O'Malley, infusing the film with much-needed humor and irreverence. Evans excels in his role as the acerbic, morally ambiguous anti-hero, and his sense of comedy helps lighten the film's heavy tone. However, his character arc, centered on reconnecting with his son Dylan (Wesley Kimmel), is predictable and lacks the depth to resonate emotionally.

J.K. Simmons, as Santa Claus, stands out with a performance that is both warm and commanding. Simmons imbues Santa with a sense of gravitas and humor, making his scenes some of the most enjoyable in the film. Unfortunately, Santa spends most of the film in captivity, limiting Simmons' screen time and depriving the film of its most fascinating character. Kiernan Shipka's Gryla and Kristofer Hivju's Krampus add a touch of mythological intrigue, but both characters suffer from underdeveloped motivations. Gryla's plan to impose a punitive Christmas regime is an interesting idea, but it's never fully explored, making her a generic villain. Krampus, presented as Santa's estranged brother, is more entertaining, notably during a memorable slap sequence with Callum. However, his role in the story feels more like an extended cameo than a fully-realized character.

It's in Red One's action sequences that the film's potential is occasionally revealed. From battles with malevolent snowmen to a thrilling escape from Krampus' lair, these moments highlight the film's creative use of Christmas-themed elements. Callum's ability to shrink during fight scenes adds a unique visual touch, and the practical effects in some sequences evoke a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of 1980s fantasy films. However, these strengths are undermined by an over-reliance on CGI and frenetic editing. Many of the action scenes lack the clarity and coherence to fully captivate the audience. The film's humor, though sporadically effective, often relies on tired lines and gags that fail to hit the mark. The comic potential of the combination of Johnson's stoicism and Evans' sarcasm is largely wasted, their interactions rarely going beyond the stage of superficial banter.

Beneath its grandiloquent exterior, Red One attempts to explore themes of redemption, family and the true meaning of Christmas. Callum's crisis of faith and Jack's journey to become a better father form the emotional backbone of the story. However, these arcs are overshadowed by the film's relentless pace and overloaded plot. Moments of genuine emotion - such as Callum's lament that “adults kill me” - are few and far between, and get lost in the cacophony of action and spectacle.

Visually, Red One is a study in contrasts. The practical effects and creature design, particularly in Krampus' lair, are imaginative and well-executed, giving a glimpse of the film that could have been. By contrast, the digital landscapes of the North Pole are artificial and devoid of warmth, detracting from the magic of the location. In terms of tone, the film struggles to find its feet. It oscillates between family comedy, action-packed spectacle and dark fantasy, often in the same scene. This lack of coherence makes it difficult for the audience to become fully invested in the story or the characters.

Red One is a film that tries to be everything - a blockbuster action flick, a heartfelt Christmas tale and a mythologically rich fantasy - but ends up being less than the sum of its parts. While it benefits from an impressive cast, ambitious world-building and occasional moments of creativity, it is ultimately weakened by its convoluted plot, incoherent tone and over-reliance on CGI. For those looking for a light-hearted vacation adventure, Red One offers enough spectacle and humor to pass the time. However, its lack of focus and emotional depth prevents it from becoming the next Christmas classic. Like a hastily wrapped gift, it's flashy on the surface but lacks the substance to leave a lasting impression.

Red One
Directed by Jake Kasdan
Written by Chris Morgan
Story by Hiram Garcia
Produced by Hiram Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Chris Morgan, Jake Kasdan, Melvin Mar
Starring Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, J. K. Simmons
Cinematography : Dan Mindel
Edited by Mark Helfrich, Steve Edwards, Tara Timpone
Music by Henry Jackman
Production companies : Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Seven Bucks Productions, Big Indie Pictures
Distributed by: Amazon MGM Studios (United States), Warner Bros. Pictures (International)
Release dates : November 6, 2024 (United Kingdom), November 15, 2024 (United States), December 12, 2024 (Amazon Prime Video)
Running time : 123 minutes

Viewed on December 10, 2024 (Prime video press screener)

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