“Red One” REVIEW

Jack O’Malley has always been on the naughty list and he’s proud of it, that is until he does something that is really naughty. Now it’s an opportunity of redemption as he and his son has the unique chance to save Christmas. The question is will he be able to do it.

The action-packed film, “Red One” follows a childhood fantasy in action format. In a word, it’s The Santa Clause on steroids. The film stars J.K Simmons as the man in red himself as he portrays that of a more athletically inclined Santa Claus. All in all, Simmons creates an illusion of Santa Claus as it answers the one question that any child has regarding just how one man is able to get to all the children of the world in one night.

Additionally, the film stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Santa’s right hand warrior who ultimately is lacking a bit of Christmas cheer, not because of the children but the adults that the children become. Because of that he is faced with a very real dilemma of continuing or quitting while he is ahead. All in all, like Simmons, Johnson is a fitting addition to this story as he is definitely not what we expect when it comes to “an elf”, but he captures an unique Christmas spirit that will have you wondering if an elf can be so muscular.

Finally the film cast rounds out with Guardian’s Chris Evans, who ultimately captures his carefree role to a tee. He pulls out the same “Star Lord” charm while seeming to not have a care in the world. Of course that charm is leveled out with the addition of his son, whom it appears is following in his exact same path, though maybe not quite yet a “level four naughty lister”.

Add Lucy Liu and Bonnie Hunt to the cast and what we are sure to have is a holiday movie with just as much punch as Die Hard.

All in All, Red One which officially comes out in theaters Nov 15 is sure to be one for the radar. It will leave all cheerfully thinking of the Christmas season in an all new way with images that are not the traditional Santa scene. Like many films now, it’s definitely one to see as the holiday season kicks into high gear.