Red One (2024) makes an early entrance as a family-oriented film infused with a festive Christmas theme. Featuring Chris Evans and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the movie promises a blend of humor and action that is likely to amuse audiences of all ages. Red One constructs an engaging mythological universe populated by figures from Christmas folklore. While many are familiar with Saint Nicholas (commonly known as Santa Claus), fewer may recognize the characters of Krampus and Gryla, who also play a role in the narrative.
This film exemplifies a cinematic experience that feels somewhat artificial—not due to its impressive production values, but rather because it lacks a genuine essence and meaningful intent. This approach has been characteristic of Dwayne Johnson’s recent projects, contributing to his successful business ventures, albeit with some instability at present. This film represents his latest effort to capture the audience’s interest during the holiday season.
The narrative transitions from one elaborate set piece to another in a grand adventure that appears entirely fabricated within a studio, further emphasizing the film’s artificiality in every frame. Given the reported budget of $250 million, it is somewhat disheartening to consider that such a substantial investment has resulted in a product that feels devoid of depth, despite the professionalism exhibited by the cast and crew.
Red One Movie Review Rating:
Star Cast: Chris Evans, Dwayne Johnson, Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, and J.K. Simmons
Director: Jake Kasdan
Language: English (with subtitles)
Available On: Prime Video
Runtime: 124 Minutes
Watch or Not?: This film may appeal primarily to devoted fans of Chris Evans or Dwayne Johnson; otherwise, there are superior Christmas films available.