I recently had the opportunity to see Hollywood’s newest big-budget action film, Red One. Starring some of the biggest names in action cinema—Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Marvel alum Chris Evans, and other Hollywood A-listers—the film presents one of the most generic Christmas movie concepts since Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. Johnson and Evans play the lead characters tasked with saving Santa, portrayed by Oscar-winner J.K. Simmons. So, what makes this movie special, you may ask? Well, in the current state of modern Hollywood, absolutely nothing.
Directed by Jake Kasdan (son of the esteemed Lawrence Kasdan), Red One offers little that can’t be found in another run-of-the-mill action-comedy. Despite its hefty budget of $250 million, the film leaves viewers wondering where that money went. Lackluster CGI and poor writing plague Kasdan’s project, leading to the conclusion that most of the budget was likely spent securing its star-studded cast.
In November, Dwayne Johnson infamously claimed during press for the film that he was inspired by Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer to release Red One in IMAX, saying it would be “game over.” After watching the film, I have to agree with the many fans who laughed at this “revelation.” The visuals were nothing spectacular—barely passable, in fact. Takashi Yamazaki’s Godzilla Minus One, which took home the Oscar for Best Visual Effects in early 2024, proved that you don’t need a massive budget to create stunning visuals.
With a budget of just $15 million and a passionate team, Godzilla Minus One delivered a far better-looking film than most recent Hollywood blockbusters. The recent flops from Marvel Studios and other major companies only reinforce the adage: quality over quantity.
The writing for Red One is similarly underwhelming. While it might be too much to expect a modern action-comedy to deliver a great script, Chris Morgan’s effort here is laughable. The dialogue is cringey, and the story—courtesy of Hiram Garcia—is painfully predictable. It feels as though an AI was fed a bunch of popular action movies from the past decade and instructed to produce a Christmas movie. The result should have been relegated to Netflix Originals.
I genuinely don’t know who this film is for. The concept clearly targets children, yet the filmmakers pushed for a PG-13 rating. Adults expecting an action-packed movie are served a plot straight out of a Disney Channel special, while kids looking for a fun Christmas movie are met with adult themes. Interestingly, there wasn’t a single child in my theater.
That said, Red One isn’t the worst film I’ve ever seen. There are some upsides. I appreciated the decision to use practical effects and makeup for many of the creatures. In an era where it’s easy to slap a green suit on someone and finish the job in post-production, it was refreshing to see a commitment to practical effects.
While the plot and action sequences are undeniably generic, the film is still fun. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s enjoyable in a “turn-off-your-brain” kind of way.Overall, Red One is as generic as they come, offering nothing new or exciting. It’s a fun, mindless watch but doesn’t have much more to offer.
Chaitanya Tuteja is someone who enjoys sharing his thoughts on books, movies, and shows. Based in India, he appreciates exploring different stories and offering honest reflections. When not reflecting on his favorite media, Chaitanya enjoys discovering new ideas and embracing life’s simple moments.