Red One

Synopsis: When a villain kidnaps Santa Claus from the North Pole, an E.L.F. (Extremely Large and Formidable) operative joins forces with the world's most accomplished tracker to find him and save Christmas.

Movie Review: 

"Red One," directed by Jake Kasdan, is an action-packed buddy comedy with a Christmas twist. While it has some heartwarming moments, it ultimately falls into the generic, predictable category of big-budget Hollywood movies. Dwayne Johnson delivers a solid performance as Callum Drift, the top E.L.F, showcasing his trademark charm and charisma. The action sequences are entertaining and fun to watch. Chris Evans shines as Jack O' Mallery, an initially unlikable bounty hunter with witty banter and sarcastic humor that adds a comedic touch to the film. His character's predictable transformation from selfish thief to someone with a heart is redeemed by heartfelt moments with his son, played by Wesley Kimmel. Lucy Liu's portrayal of Zoe, the head of the organization protecting Santa Claus, is solid but underutilized. J.K. Simmons as a unique, muscular Santa Claus is a missed opportunity. The film's action scenes are overshadowed by distracting CGI that makes it feel cartoonish and silly. The biggest flaw is Kiernan Shipka's portrayal of the villain Gryla, whose cheesy dialogue and over-the-top performance detract from the overall experience. Despite its good world-building and moments of heart, "Red One" remains a predictable mess. I would rate it 2.5/5 stars.

Director: Jake Kasdan 

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, Bonnie Hunt, Kristofer Hivju, Nick Kroll, Wesley Kimmel, Mary Elizabeth Ellis and J.K Simmons 

Runtime: 124 Minutes