Red One

Unlike some, I found this film every bit as engaging as most any other Christmas film. Was it as moving as a few old time classics, It's A Wonderful Life, A Miracle on 34th Street, etc? Maybe not, but for my money, it certainly held its own with the greater compliment of holiday films I've seen in my 60 years of life. I definitely see this as a film I'll be revisiting again, more than once, every holiday season. It certainly helped in my feeling the fun of Christmas in an especially tough year. Everyone in the cast did a fine job, the script worked well and all of the artistic and technical aspects made be believe in the magic. I'm so glad I didn't buy what the critics had to say. Red One is solid Holiday Surprise in all of the best ways!

This isn't a flawless movie; some of the CGI and character designs are terrible (e.g. The Krampus cantina scene); the tone is an inconsistent mix of earnestness and moderately profane PG-13 snark; and the conclusion is predictable (as it is with virtually every Christmas movie, to be fair.) Nevertheless it has enough strange notions along the way that it's entertaining in spite of its flaws. The worldbuilding is inventive and the story combines Icelandic, Alpine and Nordic traditions in satisfying ways. The acting is decent. The protagonists are well-developed and they're just barely sympathetic enough that their redemptions are rewarding. Some of the dialogue is deceptively sharp. Overall the movie isn't trying to be anything other than unconventional bombastic fun and it mostly succeeds.

This isn't a future classic or reinvention of a genre but it is enjoyable, quirky and affable. I'm perplexed by the overwhelmingly negative critical response; but having gone into it with low expectations because of same I was pleasantly surprised.

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.

If you want to watch a movie on Friday evening and eat popcorn, after a long week and just be entertained, this is the movie to watch. After the movie you can go home or to a bar, and you start your rest of the evening in a good mood, changed over from work week. It is not an oscar film, it is entertaining movie and it does it's job as entertainment increbly well. Best movie experience for last couple of months.

The writing does not take itself too seriously, but someone has read the script and gone over it to make it decent. None of the jokes are embarrassing or too cheap. There are some obvious jokes, but they are not overplayed. The characters are believable, I would make the same choices in these situations. The magic is using ruleset and isn't just blanket solution. I don't expect characters to have too much depth, but they have sides that I didn't expect and found fascinating.

It seems that critics have totally missed what this movie is and for who it is for.

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.