Christmas classics, from “Elf” to “Christmas Vacation,” have something special in common.
Set aside the laughs, comic set pieces and Cousin Eddie. They have a strong, beating heart behind the merriment.
That also describes “Red One,” the action comedy starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans. The problem? Said heart is buried beneath frantic action, busy plotting and an imagination on steroids.
The latter is rarely a bad thing, especially in sequel-happy Hollywood. “Red One” works best when the comic antics line up with the emotional beats. It happens more than once, but there’s too much time in between.
Johnson stars as Callum, Santa Claus’ bodyguard. They call J.K. Simmons’ Santa by his code name: Red One. Nothing can happen as long as Cal is by Red One’s side. He’s big. He’s mean. He’s… The Rock, for crying out loud.
Heck, ol’ St. Nick is jacked, too. Guess he gave up on all those cookies.
Cal is mulling an early retirement due to a distinct lack of Christmas cheer. That legendary Naughty List is getting longer every season.
He’s still on the job, but he can’t be by Red One’s side 24/7.
That gives one of Santa’s long-standing foes the opening she needs. That’s Gryla the Christmas Witch (a wildly miscast Kiernan Shipka) who has twisted plans for dealing with that expanding “Naughty List.”
Huh?
Don’t overthink the knotty narrative. Just know that Santa has been kidnapped, and Cal has to team with a wayward bounty hunter (Evans) to save Christmas.
“Red One” offers endless world-building, clearly hoping to see a “Red One 5: Yule Be Sorry” some day. The box office will have the final say, but audiences will be overwhelmed by the cutesy flourishes and superfluous characters.
It’s all too much. And that’s a shame since Johnson and Evans have fine comic chemistry. The “Captain America” alum is having a blast here, and it’s infectious.
He can do this all day.
The story itself takes too many detours. A visit to Santa’s brother Krampus (Kristofer Hivju) goes on forever with precious little payoff. If you said Christmas movies need more slap fighting, well, this is the movie for you!
Other talented souls got the “Red One” invite but may regret it. That includes Lucy Liu as the head of the E.L.F. security team (not gonna Google what that acronym stands for as a deeply political protest) and Bonnie Hunt as Mrs. Claus.
A better script would give them more to say, no doubt.
Evans is here to crack wise, but he still connects with his estranged son (Wesley Kimmel). The brief bonding between Cal and Red One also tugs at our heartstrings.
More, please.
It’s easy to dismiss “Red One” as an over-stuffed toy from an industry at its most self-indulgent. Occasionally guilty as charged. And the random swear words should have never made the final cut.
Pre-teens will swallow this silliness whole, and keeping it clean hurts no one.
There’s still some joy to be had for the rest of us. You’ll chuckle more than a few times and enjoy movie stars committed to the cause.
Suffice it to say holiday dreck like “Deck the Halls” and “Christmas with the Kranks” remain far worse alternatives.
HiT or Miss: “Red One” is big, loud and busy, but you don’t have to squint to find scenes to savor.
