Entertainment Blog #313 | Red One [2024] : Let's Find the Stolen Santa...

Heyy.. do you believe in Santa?? I think most of us don't believe in Santa considering the beliefs of the people of our country, taking in the religious perspective. But let's hypothetically think that Santa exists. If he exists, I don't think there would be anyone who hates him, thinking of the service he provides. But it seems like there can be and let's find out who they are.

"Red One" is a Christmas #action #comedy movie that was released on November 15, 2024 in theaters. Also, it was recently debuted on Amazon Prime. The movie was directed by Jake Kasdan and features a star-studded cast including Dwayne Johnson as Callum Drift, Chris Evans as Jack O'Malley, and J.K. Simmons as Santa Claus. The film combines action and comedy, appealing to a broad audience looking for a fresh take on the holiday genre. The release of the movie was accompanied by significant marketing efforts, positioning it as a must-see family film this Christmas season.

The plot kicks off with Santa Claus being kidnapped just days before Christmas, throwing the North Pole complex into chaos. Seems like it was a team that performed this act led by a woman. They have cut through the CF Dome of the North Pole complex using an atomic plasma gun to execute the kidnap. Callum Drift, the head of North Pole security, was planning on leaving his job marking this to be his last Christmas with Santa Claus to solve this issue. And Christmas Eve is only a day away so he has to be quick.

Zoe Harlow, a tech expert at the North Pole complex found a potential bounty hunter, code named "The Wolf" who may have the skill to track down the kidnappers. Callum Drift accompanied by Garcia, a talking Polar bear have to team up with Jack O'Malley. . Their partnership is filled with tension. Callum embodies order and discipline while Jack thrives on chaos and creativity. This clash of personalities sets the stage for both comedic moments and thrilling action sequences as they embark on a nail-biting mission to rescue Santa.

As their journey unfolds, they traverse various exotic locations, from snowy mountains to busy cities encountering numerous challenges along the way. The duo's contrastive approaches to problem-solving lead to humorous situations. But it also highlight their growth as they learn to respect each other's strengths. The tension rises when they discover that the kidnapper is none other than Grýla, a winter witch with her own agenda. With time running out and Christmas at risk of being ruined forever, Callum and Jack must confront not only external threats but also their internal conflicts.

The film distinguishes itself from other holiday movies by infusing modern elements into classic characters. It presents Santa Claus not just as a jolly figure but as someone who deals with technology. This fresh perspective allows audiences to see familiar figures in a new light while maintaining the core essence of the Christmas spirit.

Critical reception has been mixed. On IMDb, "Red One" holds a rating of 6.5/10 with over 75K votes, while Rotten Tomatoes shows just a 30% approval rating. Metacritic scores it at 34 out of 100, indicating mixed and low reviews. Google users have rated it positively with an average score of 4 out of 5 stars, suggesting that many viewers enjoyed the film despite its low critical value.

With a production budget estimated at $250 million, "Red One" was unable to impress the Box Office, falling short of $200 million globally. And it was unable to hang in theatres until Christmas. It is available on Amazon Prime for 2 weeks I guess. And it is somewhere it can gather viewership during the holiday season. While "Red One" brings excitement and humor to the holiday genre, it also serves as a reminder that even in our most cherished traditions, challenges can arise that require teamwork and understanding to overcome.