"'Red One' Review: Dwayne Johnson & Chris Evans Embrace the Absurd in This Christmas Action Comedy".

" Red One’ Review: Dwayne Johnson & Chris Evans Embrace the Absurd in Christmas Action Comedy

In the latest holiday-themed action venture, Red One positions itself among a growing roster of explosive Christmas movies. With a hefty $200 million budget from Amazon MGM Studios, this streaming-turned-theatrical film blends family-friendly cheer with action-packed absurdity. J.K. Simmons dons Santa’s iconic white beard, joining predecessors like Kurt Russell, Mel Gibson, and David Harbour.

Director Jake Kasdan reunites with Jumanji star Dwayne Johnson, who plays Callum Drift, North Pole security chief. Callum’s planned retirement is interrupted when Santa—codenamed "Red One" and played by Simmons—gets kidnapped just two days before Christmas Eve. To rescue Santa, Callum teams up with “Level 4 Naughty Lister” Jack O’Malley, portrayed by Chris Evans. Their mission takes them through encounters with legendary holiday figures, including Kristofer Hivju’s towering Krampus and Kiernan Shipka’s witchy Grýla.

A Stellar Cast and Holiday Hijinks

Rounding out the cast are Lucy Liu as Zoe Harlow, the Nick Fury-like overseer of this mythic world, and Bonnie Hunt as an unconventional Mrs. Claus who could easily headline a Real Housewives show. Supporting roles by Nick Kroll and Mary Elizabeth Ellis add layers of humor.

Despite Simmons’ limited screen time as the unconscious Santa, he still manages a dramatic, gym-trained rooftop parkour scene when the day is saved. Johnson and Evans deliver high-energy performances, with Liu adding her own moments of action. Hunt’s Mrs. Claus, who shares workout scenes with Santa, feels underused in the action stakes but defies the usual stereotypes. It turns out, Santa might just be the fittest person on the North Pole.

Themes with a Self-Aware Twist

At its heart, Red One carries an updated message: the idea that people, including kids, aren’t defined by their mistakes, and it’s never too late to turn over a new leaf. Evans’ character Jack learns this lesson as he reconnects with his son Dylan (Wesley Kimmel), finding redemption and rekindling his inner child. Johnson’s Callum experiences a more whimsical transformation, regaining the power to see the inner child in others, reigniting his passion for the job.

This film doesn’t shy away from its cheesiness; instead, it leans into it. Dialogue about the Naughty List plays out with the gravity of military briefings, fully embracing the camp. Kasdan and screenwriter Chris Morgan show they’re in on the joke, crafting a movie that, while ridiculous at times, knows exactly what it wants to be.

A Potential Franchise with Holiday Lore

Given the mix of DC and Marvel alumni and unique holiday characters like Krampus, Red One has the potential to kickstart a holiday action franchise in a market hungry for nostalgic and familiar IPs. The movie’s use of lesser-known folklore helps breathe new life into the well-trodden Santa story. If Tim Allen’s Santa Claus got three movies and a streaming series, Red One seems poised to build its own cinematic tradition.

Producers Hiram Garcia, Dany Garcia, and Melvin Mar spearheaded the project, with Johnson, Morgan, and Kasdan as executive producers. Whether Red One becomes a Christmas classic remains to be seen, but its blend of over-the-top antics and heartfelt moments ensures it commits fully to the bit.

Release Details

• Title: Red One
• Distributor: Amazon MGM Studios
• Release Date: November 15, 2024
• Director: Jake Kasdan
• Screenwriter: Chris Morgan, based on a story by Hiram Garcia
• Main Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, J.K. Simmons, Kiernan Shipka, Bonnie Hunt, Kristofer Hivju, Nick Kroll, Wesley Kimmel.