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This highly depressing and overly sentimental Christmas comedy, released in early November, stars Dwayne Johnson as Santa’s bodyguard on a mission to rescue him from kidnappers and save Christmas.
Chris Evans co-stars as a charming professional thief named Jack O’Malley, whose tough exterior hides a heart of gold. Jack’s cynical outlook on life stems from childhood experiences that shaped his disbelief in Santa. Now, he’s estranged from his child’s mother and neglectful of his son.
Unknowingly, Jack is recruited by villains to steal the secret coordinates of Santa’s sleigh, with the intention of capturing Santa himself. JK Simmons plays a buff Santa Claus who is dedicated to staying in shape, guided by his security chief Callum Drift, portrayed by Johnson. Callum, on the verge of retirement due to a crisis of faith, teams up with Jack to thwart the villains and save Christmas.
Lucy Liu appears as Santa’s chief of staff Zoe Harlow, and Kiernan Shipka takes on the role of the wicked Christmas witch Gryla. The film delves into Callum’s crisis of faith, prompted by the increasing number of people on the naughty list. However, the exact consequences of being on the naughty list are unclear, leading to a convoluted plot development in the second act.
Despite the emphasis on the naughty list, the film fails to deliver a clear message, focusing instead on the importance of buying presents in stores during the holiday season. The storyline lacks depth and relies heavily on clichés, making it a forgettable and formulaic Christmas film.
“Red One” is set to release in the UK on 6 November, in Australia on 14 November, and in the US on 15 November.
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