“Red One” is the polar opposite of a cheap but cute Christmas movie. It has a massive budget, CGI effects abound, and big-name stars. It’s two hours long and had a limited theatrical release. Its genre spans quite a breadth. Christmas fantasy action-adventure comedy. Rather than modern classic, it demonstrates that simplicity is often the best route for fiction.
It was written by Chris Morgan (based on a short story by Hiram Garcia) and directed by Jake Kasdan. Its intended release in 2023 was delayed due to the SAG-AFTRA strike and its net is considered a box office bomb. I had intended to check it out when it hit theaters last month. Then I saw it was streaming on Prime and was thankful I didn’t waste the money. Then I watched it, and was really thankful I didn’t waste the money.
Great Cast
We have mega stars. Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka and the incomparable J. K. Simmons. The gist of the film can be explained in two sentences. Santa Claus has been kidnaped by the Winter Witch, who is scheming to enact vengeance on the world. Santa’s top security agent goes on a quest to rescue him.
Dwayne Johnson stars as Callum Drift, head of North Pole security. Johnson has emerged as one of the biggest names in Hollywood, particularly with roles that focus on his screen presence and not acting chops. That’s not an insult. I love Arnold Schwarzenegger and have thoroughly enjoyed his movies for 40 years simply due to them being fun. Dwayne Johnson is the only actor today that could play a musclebound elf who would give his life for Santa.
Johnson is joined by Chris Evans who has appeared in several comic book type movies. Evans is another solid choice. He plays a human hacker named Jack O’Malley. Jack must work with Callum, getting lost in the world of fantasy that he brings. Evans is funny when needed and can hold his own sharing a stage with the larger-than-life Johnson.
Casting J. K. Simmons as Santa Claus is ingenious. Sadly, he isn’t afforded the same amount of screen time as the others due to the nature of the story. He’s kidnapped early and rescued late, but missing from the entire middle portion. Lucy Liu, who I’ve been crushing on since Ally McBeal, plays another security agent. Bonnie Hunt portrays Mrs. Claus.
Good Villains
Kiernan Shipka plays Grýla, the Winter Witch. Shipka has been in several movies I have enjoyed recently and again shows she’s a talented star on the rise. Kristofer Hivju (Game of Thrones) was born to play Krampus. There are some cool CGI snowmen and other creatures that are displayed as well.
$250 Million?
Where “Red One” doesn’t reach the lofty standards of “Home Alone” or even “The Princess Switch” is its lack of warmth. Yes, there is a scene of Callum Drift and Jack O’Malley on a tropical beach. But the story itself doesn’t have the tender touch or heartfelt emotional value of other, better Christmas stories. It’s more of an excuse to showcase a big budget and zany special effects.
I loved the giant-sized reindeer which makes more logical sense than realistic ones normally depicted. But because there are so many exaggerated effects, the successes are lost in a sea of constant blockbuster CGI. Even the Grýla character has interesting powers, though no real reasons for her motives. And the talents of Shipka are wasted when—
*SPOILER ALERT*
—she transforms from beautiful temptress into a giant CGI Monster for the final fight scene. It’s a destructive battle for sure but made me wonder why she wouldn’t just always be in that form since it’s far more powerful.
“Red One” is like spending $100 on a bottle of wine when you can find one equal or better for a fraction. It’s fine, and something worth checking out as a changeup to sappy love movies. Whilst I suspect a sequel, it’s not close to the level of Christmas Classic.
