I Saw Red One, And The Critics Calling It A ‘Lump Of Coal’ Are Missing The Whole Point

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As a gamer who’s seen more movies than I have lives in my favorite MMO, let me tell you about my recent theater experience with “Red One.” I found myself surrounded by fans of all ages, and it was packed tighter than a raid boss’ health bar at max level. The clapping at the end of the screening felt like a victory cheer for finally clearing that elusive dungeon boss.

Over the weekend, I watched “Red One” at a sprawling cinema surrounded by movie enthusiasts from various age groups. The place was buzzing with energy. At the conclusion of the show, the audience gave a round of applause. Now, I find myself online, feeling as if I’ve stepped into an alternate reality.

I’ve come across numerous reviews that criticize the movie “Red One” for being a poor imitation of a Marvel film. In fact, I’ve seen so many negative reviews that they call the film a “lump of coal.” Reminds me of when Transformers movies were released and while audiences flocked to see them, critics weren’t too fond of them. (It seems everyone has their own unique take on these films.)

I’m not here to persuade you that “Red One” is the ultimate Christmas blockbuster or a groundbreaking moment for Dwayne Johnson (The Rock), Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, or J.K. Simmons. As for The Rock, he seems to be aiming for such a career milestone with his upcoming film “The Smashing Machine,” where he undergoes a remarkable transformation that makes him practically unrecognizable.

The truth? Red One is a holiday crowd pleaser with a ton of world building. It’s sort of like Jumanji, but with Santa Claus involved. The Rock plays the straight man. Chris Evans plays the comedic relief. Tiny cars get zapped into life-size ones. The North Pole has insane technology that allows Santa to hit up billions of homes all in one night (thus the Marvel Wakanda comparisons). Krampus makes an appearance! We all go home happy.

Is “Red One” likely to revolutionize your existence? Not at all. Does it warrant some of the harshly critical titles in recent reviews? By no means. Should it struggle with the current low Rotten Tomatoes rating? Definitely not.

Why You Should Give Red One A Chance

If you’re searching for a festive, occasionally zany, and genuinely lively holiday movie, it might not be the worst decision to opt for a film jam-packed with humor, big-name actors enjoying themselves, and intricate Christmas-themed storytelling. (Paraphrased from TopMob’s Mike Reyes’ Red One review)

The duo of Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) and Chris Evans work well on screen together. The movie, said to have cost hundreds of millions to produce, offers high-quality cinematic entertainment that is suitable for a wide audience. Although it contains some mild adult language and humor, most of which children may not understand, there are also jokes and action scenes designed for all ages. I believe this film was created with the intention that families can enjoy it together in theaters, and I’m thrilled that Amazon is making it available on their 2024 theatrical schedule before we can later stream it with an Amazon Prime subscription.

Well, let me tell you, Red One isn’t without its flaws – far from it. Some folks I was with seemed to lose interest at first, but the younger gamers next to me were totally hooked during the action-packed sequences later on. The mythology part could’ve been more engaging, but hey, who doesn’t love seeing Krampus and Santa Claus share a screen? As for the plot, it’s not exactly groundbreaking, but I have to admit, I enjoyed how they set up Santa’s workshop like Wakanda. The movie even took the time to explain how Santa manages to distribute all those presents in just one day, which was pretty cool. All in all, the concept is adorable and innovative, even when the dialogue falls short.

It seems I’m trying to convey this: We often grumble about how there’s a lack of innovation in movies these days. Yet, when an entertaining, high-octane live-action blockbuster arrives that appears ideal for a family outing, instead of enjoying it, we continue to complain.

Indeed, having a cinematic experience like “Dune” would be splendid. However, let me tell you, it might be challenging to engage an 11-year-old in the story of “Dune.” But fear not, “Red One” is here to provide a more accessible and captivating tale!

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2024-11-15 20:08