I just returned from the New York City premiere of Red One starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans. If you're wondering if this action-packed Christmas movie is for you, read on for my spoiler-free review! Red One is in theaters nationwide on November 15th.
Disclaimer: I attended the premiere of Red One in New York City but all opinions are my own and I was not otherwise compensated for this post.
About Red One
After Santa Claus – Code Name: RED ONE – is kidnapped, the North Pole's Head of Security (Dwayne Johnson) must team up with the world’s most infamous bounty hunter (Chris Evans) in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas! Red One stars Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Kiernan Shipka, J.K. Simmons, Bonnie Hunt, Lucy Liu, Kristofer Hivju, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Nick Kroll, and Wesley Kimmel. Check out a trailer of the film below, then keep scrolling for my honest review.
Red One's Rating - Is it Scary?
Red One is rated PG-13 due to strong language and action/fight scenes. I would say that the movie is actually fine for ages 9 and up, as long as you don't mind the language and your kids aren't scared of fight scenes and crazy car chases. If you think your child would be upset by Santa being kidnapped, then this isn't the movie for you (yet! Wait a few years). There are some tough/semi-scary characters like Krampus and evil, killer snowmen, but there is humor added to it, and no blood or gore. Truthfully, I thought the snowmen were scarier than Krampus!
photo copyright Amazon Content Services LLC
The Jersey Momma's Red One Review (No Spoilers!)
Dwayne Johnson is known for his over-the-top action movies, and as much as Red One is a Christmas movie with an important message, it's also an action movie. There are chase scenes, knock-out fights, villains, danger, and crazy stunts. It's unlike any Christmas movie I have ever seen, and that's exactly what I loved about it. I thought the storyline was original with a good message about the choices you make in life. The actors were wonderful, especially Kristofer Hivju as Krampus, who turned out to be scary, funny and lovable all at the same time (a little bit like his Game of Thrones character, too, no?). Nick Kroll has a small role in the film but he still had me laughing during one scene in particular on the beach (no spoilers!). Another stand-out for me was Kiernan Shipka, who was an amazing villain in a role that seemed so fun to portray. Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans had great chemistry, J.K. Simmons was on-point as a tough but loving "beast" of a Santa, and Lucy Liu is bad-ass as always as the wise and unrelenting Zoe.
Red One is a movie that appeals to various ages. Maybe it's too intense for little kids, (it's geared for 13 and up, but I think 9 and up could handle it as long as you don't mind the bad language and the action mentioned above), but teenagers and adults will love it, too, in my opinion. My own teenager can be very picky with movies and TV shows, and when I saw this, I knew right away that even he would like it.
Another question I receive often is: Does it ruin Santa for kids? The movie starts with a boy who is a non-believer. He tries to show his cousins hidden presents in the house, to prove that there is no Santa, but his uncle quickly stops him. "Those are presents, yes, but they aren't Santa's presents," he explains. He goes on to tell him that Santa is real and to give his cousins a break. The entire movie is about the importance of believing and how "within every lost adult is the child they once were." So, no, I do not believe that Red One spoils anything for those who believe. The whole movie is about saving Santa and Christmas, after all!!
I loved everything about Red One- the costumes, the characters, the plot, the cast. Yes, there is CGI but that doesn't bother me too much (how else would I expect them to create the North Pole or a giant polar bear guard?). I loved that it had a good message for adults and kids alike. The movie is not just about rescuing Santa and saving Christmas. It's about making choices that matter and showing up for the people who believe in you. You can get your tickets to Red One here.
*And just to add a final note: since writing this, I've seen a lot of angry, negative reviews floating around out there about Red One. Honestly, did we even see the same movie? I don't know if the paid critics are upset about this being a big-budget Amazon film, or if they're just angry at life. But take it from a mom who just wanted to see an entertaining family movie full of fun, jokes, special effects and more- Red One delivered! And guess what? I can't wait to see it again.
I'm in my 60's and I loved it!! Watched it this morning and will watch it again a couple of times before Christmas! Original and fun!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you liked it! We went back and saw it a second time in the theater and we'll watch it again on Prime Video, too. Thanks for commenting!
DeleteDoes it Spoil any of the Christmas magic?
ReplyDeleteThere is a scene in the beginning of the film where one of the main characters questions the existence of Santa (when he's a child). He shows his cousins hidden presents in the house to prove this theory, but his uncle quickly reminds him that "yes, those are presents, but not Santa's presents." This is the only moment that I can recall them questioning the magic. After that, the film itself proves that Santa is the one and only!
DeleteRed Oneid not for anyone under 13. That is why it is PG-13.
ReplyDeleteThe actual meaning of PG-13 is "Parents strongly cautioned, some material may be inappropriate for children under 13," leaving it up to the parent whether or not they want their child to see it. I also stated that in this post.
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