Film Review – Red One

Jake Kasdan isn’t the most inspired filmmaker working today, but he’s had his moments, especially with early career endeavors such as “Zero Effect,” “The T.V. Set,” and “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.” Over the last 15 years, he’s lost his way, making D.O.A. comedies (“Bad Teacher,” “Sex Tape”) and glossy, hostile visual effects-driven adventures in two “Jumanji” sequels. The helmer goes deep into CGI excess and weak humor in “Red One,” which intends to be a large-scale presentation of holiday fun, merging violence and Christmastime tenderness. Kasdan and screenwriter Chris Morgan (“Hobbs & Shaw,” “Shazam! Fury of the Gods”) don’t seem to understand what kind of picture they’re making here, as all sentiment rings hollow and cinematic extravaganza looks more like a video game. “Red One” is deadening to watch, as so much technical and thespian effort has gone into a feature that carries no sense of spirit. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com