“Red One” – Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans’ Christmas action-comedy blockbuster

“Red One” – Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans’ Christmas action-comedy blockbuster

At the end of 2024, Red One – a comedy action blockbuster set in the Christmas season – was officially released to global audiences. Directed by Jake Kasdan (famous for Jumanji), the script was written by Chris Morgan (the man behind the success of the Fast & Furious series), Red One not only brings together a star-studded cast such as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Chris Evans, J.K. Simmons, Lucy Liu but also promises to bring a new potential movie universe about the holiday season.

A dramatic and humorous plot
Red One opens with an unexpected incident when Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons), the symbol of Christmas, is kidnapped right before the holiday. The culprit behind the incident is Grýla (Kiernan Shipka), an evil Christmas witch inspired by Icelandic legend, with a plot to trap naughty children in a giant snow globe and ruin the festive atmosphere.

To save Santa and protect Christmas, Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson) - head of security at the North Pole - is forced to cooperate with Jack O'Malley (Chris Evans), a notorious hacker and bounty hunter, who was once on Santa Claus' "naughty list". This unlikely pair embarks on an adventurous journey across many lands, from the frozen North Pole to bustling modern cities, facing all kinds of challenges and enemies.

An interesting highlight of the film is the appearance of Krampus (Kristofer Hivju) - Santa's brother, a famous character in Western Christmas legends. Initially refusing to help, Krampus eventually joins the team to save Santa and foil Grýla's evil plot. The film also introduces Zoe Harlow (Lucy Liu), director of MORA - the organization that manages global Christmas activities - and Mrs. Claus (Bonnie Hunt), who always works alongside Santa Claus.

Magnificent production, impressive special effects
With an estimated production budget of $200 to $250 million, Red One was filmed at many magnificent locations in Atlanta, Georgia. The carefully invested scenes in the setting, from the snow-covered North Pole to bustling metropolises, along with vivid visual effects, have brought a colorful but equally dangerous Christmas world. Santa Claus's costume, played by J.K. Simmons, was specially designed, giving him a muscular and majestic appearance, quite different from the traditional image.

The film's music, composed by Henry Jackman, successfully creates an exciting, suspenseful atmosphere, harmoniously combining the festive vibe with the fast-paced action rhythm.

Excellent cast but mixed reviews
The cast of Red One received high expectations thanks to their inherent talent and charisma. Dwayne Johnson continues to portray a powerful hero, working well with Chris Evans - who is famous for his role as Captain America. J.K. Simmons brings a familiar and majestic image of Santa Claus, while Kiernan Shipka as Grýla creates an interesting villain, both scary and attractive.

However, despite the famous cast and impressive special effects, Red One received mixed reviews from critics. Many opinions said that the film focused too much on action and humor, missing the depth of content and emotions of a traditional Christmas story. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film only achieved 30% positive reviews, while Metacritic rated the film at 34/100.

Revenue and development potential
Although it did not achieve the expected box office success, with a global revenue of about $ 185.9 million - much lower than the production cost - Red One still opens up the potential for building an action - fantasy film universe about Christmas. Amazon MGM Studios, the film's production unit, plans to develop a sequel if it receives positive feedback from the audience through online services.

Conclusion
Red One is a film that brings a new color to the action - comedy genre combined with fantasy elements. Although there are many unfinished points, the film is still an attractive entertainment choice for the audience during the holiday season. The unique image of Santa Claus, the eye-catching action scenes, and the message of teamwork and hope have helped Red One score points with viewers, especially those who love the Christmas atmosphere combined with exciting adventures.