Hollywood Christmas movies often bait audiences with an initial burst of Yuletide cheer and then wander far off the path of traditional Christmas sentiment, leading viewers into a world of American spirit represented by crass humour, violence, and self-celebration. This peculiar mix of conflicting elements may well have emerged with films like “A Christmas Story” and “Home Alone”. Now, just in time for the festive season, the doleful trend is continued by the new, unapologetically crass Hollywood release “Red One”.
In “Red One”, J.K. Simmons assumes the role of an abducted Santa Claus, with Dwayne Johnson as his bodyguard eager to retire due to a crisis of faith. Despite a sprinkle of cheeky humour, the movie primarily strays from the comedy genre and marches into the terrains of action, kidnap-rescue thriller, and a peculiar vision of Christmas world-building.
The film presents Santa's operations as a parallel to a U.S. military set-up, complete with code names and enforcement logistics. It also frames a shopping mall as Santa's soulful place on earth, hinting at a striking evolution of the iconic red-suited figure of holiday spirit who now appears more partial towards capitalism than traditions.
The pairing of Johnson's Cal, tasked with tracking down kidnapped Santa, and Jack (Chris Evans), a disreputable sports gambler and hacking whizz, brings in the 'buddy movie' element. The two begin as rivals and gradually become allies, solving virtual and tangible puzzles to track down Santa's captor, Grýla, an ancient witch portrayed by Kiernan Shipka.
The casting of Kiernan Shipka as the villain offers a spark of engaging performance amidst the film’s tumultuous elements. Her portrayal of the witch hinges on entertaining her wish to punish everyone on Santa's naughty list, adding an edge of excitement for the audience.
“Red One” underlines the changing approach to holiday films, from nostalgia-inducing stories to packed adventures where Christmas becomes a concept to be retro-fitted into blockbusters. It seems to be a fine reminder of how Hollywood's vision of a 'Merry Christmas' has evolved from sleigh rides across the moonlit sky to a thrilling ride through an over-the-top holiday-themed, kitcsh-filled odyssey.
