‘Red One’ is Streaming on Prime Video with Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans & J.K. Simmons

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As a seasoned movie critic with over three decades of popcorn-munching and ticket-buying under my belt, I must say that the streaming success of ‘Red One’ is no small feat – especially for a film that left critics cold and audiences lukewarm during its theatrical run. The Rock, much like a snowball gathering momentum on a slippery slope, has found a way to roll his way into our homes just in time for the holiday season.

Many Prime Video viewers are enjoying a Christmas tree spin with the ongoing holiday season – transforming what was once a box office letdown into a chart-topping sensation. The boisterous, self-assured musclebound film, similar to many others produced by this studio, rehashed an old narrative, earning Red One a spot on the critics’ naughty list. However, it received a highly favorable score on the Popcornmeter at Rotten Tomatoes and underperformed in theaters mainly due to its sky-high budget.

Just like many films today, Johnson has returned to the top following an impressive victory upon its debut on Prime Video. The movie effortlessly outshone its modest competitors, which are primarily older productions, by garnering five times more viewership worldwide than the closest rival. This might not be too unexpected given that Johnson is frequently a popular choice on streaming platforms. However, the theatrical release scheduled for mid-November hinted that fans wouldn’t have to wait long before it became available for streaming as well.

The movie “Red One” raked in $160 million at the box office, however, with a production cost of $250 million, it was quite challenging for the film to recoup its expenses given Dwayne Johnson’s typical earnings for his movies. Excluding major franchise films like “Fast & Furious” and “Jumanji,” Johnson’s average earnings range from $200-$275 million. Regrettably, “Red One” didn’t manage to surpass this range despite receiving a 90% positive rating from Rotten Tomatoes audiences.

What is ‘Red One’ About?

In this fresh spin, numerous films depict Santa encountering various calamities that prevent him from delivering Christmas presents on time. In this particular storyline, a muscular yet unorthodox Santa Claus (portrayed by the well-liked J.K. Simmons) encounters trouble after being abducted. The sole individual daring enough to initiate a rescue mission is Callum Drift, the head of North Pole security – someone who might have averted the predicament if he had been diligent in his duties initially. Joining forces with cyber expert Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans), they embark on a thrilling quest to locate Santa. As they progress, they face off against menacing snowmen, Krampus, and numerous other adversaries in a series of exhilarating snowy brawls designed to delight the audience.

In essence, this film follows the usual pattern of a Johnson-led production, given that its story originates from his Seven Bucks partner Hiram Garcia, with Chris Morgan (a veteran of the Fast franchise) handling the script. This predictable formula has been delighting fans who eagerly consume anything produced by The Rock. However, if you’re someone who’s grown a bit tired of loud, CGI-heavy superhero-style movies, you may not find anything groundbreaking here to captivate your attention.

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With Christmas just around the corner, it was no secret that the release strategy for “Red One” closely mirrored its predictable plotline. Rather than prioritizing its cinematic debut, Amazon MGM Studio wisely chose to time its streaming premiere perfectly – ensuring that the film would enter the market at the optimal moment, maximizing its impact on viewers. In this regard, Amazon MGM Studio truly outshone itself.

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2024-12-14 16:01