Red One (2024)

Content by Tony Macklin. Originally published on December 16, 2024 @ tonymacklin.net.
Red One (Prime/theaters) is a sneaky entertainment.
Rotten Tomatoes can't be trusted, and they have Red One rated as 30% by reviewers (not critics), but they also have a rating of 90% by the mass audience.
Red One fits the model of a movie that is rejected by the reviewers, but enjoyed by the masses.
Red One starts listlessly, but it picks up spirit as it evolves and becomes engaging.
One of its strengths is the cast of accomplished actors: Dwayne Johnson as Callum, the security commandeer for the North Pole, Chris Evans as a feckless hacker and bounty hunter, J.K Simmons as Nick -- a trim Santa, Lucy Liu as the mythical agency head, and Kiernan Shipka as Gryla, a witch who is committed to the punishing of the naughty. [Shipka also was a witch in Netflix's series on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.]
Red One is directed by Jake Kasdan, the son of Lawrence Kasdan. His father directed the classics Body Heat (1981) and The Big Chill (1983).
Jake has taken a different route. Early in his career, Jake directed the television pilot for Freaks and Geeks (1999). Later he became director of the 2nd (2017) and 3rd (2019) of the Jumanji movies.
Jake Kasdan directs rough and tumble movies.
Red One is the erratic story of the saving of Christmas.
Nick (Santa) is kidnapped by a witch and her shapeshifters, who are committed to replace the nice on Santa's list with only the naughty, who deserve eternal punishment and the abolishing of Christmas.
As Callum says, "It's all choices, Jack." He quotes Nick, "...to be nice, to be good -- or not." He says, "Let's save Christmas." And off they" go.
Red One, like Santa, delivers a mixed bag of coal and treats.