Código Traje Rojo

Going in I expected just a cheesy Xmas film but to its credit Red One tried to do something different in the vein of a dark fantasy action Christmas adventure. It should be commended for that alone. Not quite the well executed violence of Violent Night, Red One takes a more light hearted approach with its dark action fantasy that can cater to a broader audience. It did this by attempting to combine action, with a heartfelt message and Christmas lore. Although it faltered in its execution mainly due to plot points, CGI and not fully capturing the Christmas spirit, the ambition of the film should be commended and it was boosted by performances from its lead cast. Whilst it won't any prestigious Xmas shortlists, it's a stocking filler that can be enjoyed at family gatherings.

Initially I thought that Dwayne Johnson and a Chrismas movie was a strange mixture, but then again, Schwarzenegger pulled it off with the 1996 movie "Jingle All the Way", and thus I opted to actually give Dwayne Johnson the benefit of the doubt.

And color me impressed, because "Red One" was definitely a movie worthy of being an action-star's contender to "Jingle All the Way". It was a movie that combined the archetypical action and punching that you get in Dwayne Johnson movies mixed with an actually well-written Christmassy storyline. And it worked out wonderfully. In fact, I will say that "Red One" actually is a notch better than "Jingle All the Way".

The storyline in "Red One" is enjoyable and entertaining. I found it to be a well-written and interesting script, because it was a fast paced narrative, but at the same time, it was a story that reeled in the audience and took us along on a Christmassy thrill-ride. Thumbs up to writers Chris Morgan and Hiram Garcia for accomplishing this with the script.

Now, you know what you get when you sit down to watch a movie that has Dwayne Johnson in a leading role, and "Red One" is no different, for better or worse. But the movie also have some great performances from Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, Bonnie Hunt, Kristofer Hivju and J. K. Simmons. I have to direct the spotlight to J. K. Simmons, because he really was phenomenal in this movie.

The special effects in the movie are good, and they look realistic, which just made the movie all the more magical to sit through.

Now, something that I have to applaud in the movie are the creature designs and the creature effects. When the storyline comes to Krampus's castle, I was blown away by the practical creature effects and make-up there. It was phenomenal. I loved that segment of the movie so much, as I've always been a huge fan of interesting creature designs and especially when they look as realistic as they did in "Red One". Thumbs up to the creators for that accomplishment.

While "Red One" does not have the contents to be a returning Christmas classic, it definitely is a Christmas movie that you have to watch at least once.

My rating of director Jake Kasdan's 2024 movie "Red One" lands on a seven out of ten stars.

7/10

Red One is pure entertainment. It knows what it is, leans into it, and doesn't try to be anything else. Movies like this are a rarity these days-a fun, self-aware story that's well-executed without taking itself too seriously. Think The Toxic Avenger or other classics that knew they were dumb fun and embraced it. That's Red One, and it absolutely works.

What sets this movie apart is its solid storytelling. There are no plot holes that leave you scratching your head or logical inconsistencies that pull you out of the experience. Everything in Red One fits together in a way that makes sense for the world it creates. It's entertaining because it's well-written, even though it's a "bad" movie by traditional standards. That's the magic: it's a good bad movie, and it knows how to deliver on every level.

This isn't just a movie for kids, either. It's got plenty for parents to enjoy, too, from clever humor to genuinely heartfelt moments. It tells a wholesome story without being preachy, making it a perfect family film that's actually enjoyable for everyone.

It's frustrating to see some modern audiences trashing this movie. People seem to have forgotten what it means to just sit back and be entertained. Not every movie needs to be some deep, artistic exploration of the human condition. Sometimes, a film just needs to make you smile, and Red One nails that. Pure escapism.

If you're tired of agenda-driven, over-serious films that forget to actually entertain, Red One is a breath of fresh air. It's unapologetically fun, smartly written, and a reminder of why we love movies in the first place.

I watched Red One yesterday, and I really enjoyed it. I thought it would be kind of trashy , but it was well made. It felt like what you'd get if Marvel made a Christmas movie-full of action, humor, and holiday spirit. The cast brought a lot of energy, and Kiernan Shipka stood out as the evil witch;

That said, the characters didn't have much depth, and the movie had this odd mix of feeling like a kids' film that isn't really for kids. Dwayne Johnson's character as E. L. F was a quite fun fit. This movie was giving my boyfriend and me plenty of laughs throughout. Overall, it was wholesome, light, and fun.

I wouldn't rush to see it in theaters, but it's perfect for a cozy night on the couch. If you're looking for a feel-good Christmas movie to watch at home, I'd definitely recommend it.

Just watched this at the cinema on release day. I actually enjoyed the movie. It's not my favourite Christmas film by any stretch but I enjoyed watching something a little bit different but still had lots of Christmas magic within.

It's very much an action/adventure/Christmas film all rolled into one. The storyline centres on the main characters quest to locate and return Santa Clause after he is kidnapped. Lots of adventure and jokes along the way. Some hit and some miss!

Like all Christmas films of this nature, just enjoy it for what it is. These types of movies should never be about real life but just immerse yourself for 2 hours in a world of action and magic.

Overall, a solid 7 out of 10 for me. Not the best or worst film I've seen but for this time of year it is certainly one I'd recommend.

But as I always say, don't worry about reviews! Everyone will see the same thing differently. Go and make your own mind up.