‘RED ONE’: THE CHRISTMAS MOVIE THAT KIDNAPS SANTA!

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Highly publicized and featuring a generally well loved, popular cast, Red One jumps from the big screen to its production’s streaming home in record time – and just in time for some family Christmas movie traditions.

Red One (2024) Film Review

Christmas may be ruined, but it’s not for some simple reason. You see, the big man is missing! That’s right, Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons) has been kidnapped and this sends the North Pole into a flurry of panic. Head of security Callum (Dwayne Johnson) takes a risk and decides to hire one of the world’s biggest disbeliever in anything good. Enter tracker, Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans), a dude without scruples who works for the highest bidder. When the North Pole hires him, Jack has to use his skills for good in order to save Christmas.

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A film that Prime Video and MGM seemed to promote pretty heavily, Red One is easily one of the more entertaining films I’ve seen. This also goes hand in hand with the truth that the film is also ridiculous. Regardless, there is enjoyment in the plot and for that reason alone, I’m of the opinion that a viewer needs to sit back, chill and quite simply, enjoy.

‘RED ONE’: THE CHRISTMAS MOVIE THAT KIDNAPS SANTA! #ChrisEvans and #DwayneJohnson team up in #PrimeVideo's #RedOne! #ChristmasMovies #Movie Share on X

The film starts off fun by setting up a kind of story about pulling cons before it morphs into something entirely different; and I kind of love this juxtaposition of storytelling and content. Everything begins with roots in reality before it leaps into a kind of sci-fi plot that is really good fun. There’s really no more to say beyond this. These supernatural elements coexist with the humans including the hilarious Chris Evans; the always memorable Dwayne Johnson; and Elementary‘s Lucy Liu. Plus, of course, we see J.K. Simmons as the Man in Red. I will always want to see Evans return to his good guy roots, but seeing him in this is fun. Dwayne Johnson also gets to play a more serious role with some conflicts, and he does it well.

If you don’t like creature flicks (think Narnia or The Golden Compass), then this won’t be a film you want to see. However, if you don’t mind the adventure that movies like this offer, Red One is a ton of fun. It’s a more unique concept (for the subgenre) and I love that it “dares” to destroy Christmas. The script still keeps things entertaining and of course, gives us a good over evil triumph. It also allows its characters to change and grow (within the genre) and shows how good can have a positive impact. All in all, the film is good and it’s one that deserves a watch for anyone who just wishes to unplug.

Stream Red One exclusively on Prime Video

Photos: Prime Video / Amazon MGM Studios

Content: outside of some of the usual action violence, this one is relatively “wholesome.” There are lots of creatures, some of which are a little “scary” which probably triggers the PG-13 rating. We see some hand-to-hand combat and gadget violence. There is some profanity (hell and an almost there f-word), but nothing that goes beyond normal. There is a minor sexual joke or two about Wonder Woman.

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