Review by Robbie Fleming
This year, we’ve been treated to two Christmas films featuring famous movie stars: Red One, the first film in a proposed Christmas-themed action franchise starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans, and Dear Santa, Jack Black’s second Christmas film, directed by Bobby Farrelly of the Farrelly Brothers.
I’m going to review both films for this special to decide which one is the better Christmas film of 2024. Let’s start with Red One.
Red One (2024)
Director: Jake Kasdan
Studio: Amazon/MGM
I found the story of Red One too generic, reminiscent of your typical buddy action film but with a Christmas fantasy setting. I could predict the film’s progression as I watched it, due to its formulaic structure. For action film aficionados, the action sequences might be enjoyable, but for me, nothing stood out as inventive or unique. Additionally, the plot and characters feel too similar to the first Men in Black film, replacing the alien aspect with Christmas mythology.
The film’s production values feel cheap, a clear indication that it was made for streaming. The visual effects often look fake, and most of the time, I could tell the actors were performing in front of green screens. As with many of his projects, Dwayne Johnson’s influence is evident, making the film feel like another typical Johnson production. While Ryan Reynolds also has a tendency to dominate his films, at least his projects are more entertaining.
Dwayne Johnson plays an Agent K-type character but fails to bring anything interesting or fresh to the role. Granted, he has played a similar Tommy Lee Jones-style character in Fast Five, but in that film, he offered something new back in 2011. Unfortunately, he’s been recycling the same character type ever since.
Chris Evans has all the tools to be a movie star, but here he doesn’t do anything unique or charming. His performance is just as bland as Johnson’s, and I think he could have elevated the film to something better. While I did appreciate J.K. Simmons’ portrayal of Santa, the rest of the supporting cast feels like they’re in this purely for the paycheck.
Overall, Red One seems destined to be another failed franchise starter, offering nothing new or special. While there are moments of entertainment, my interest in Dwayne Johnson’s films has waned over the years. This wasn’t as bad as Red Notice (2021), but it’s still a typical, generic Johnson vehicle. I rate it 2.5/5 stars or 5/10. If you enjoy generic action films, this one might be worth checking out, but honestly, you wouldn’t miss much if you skipped it.
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Now back to the review
Dear Santa (2024)
Director: Bobby Farrelly
Studio: Paramount Pictures
I will admit that Jack Black has made his fair share of flops, especially in recent years, but I still believe he has talent—both as an actor and a comedian. In Dear Santa, his comedic abilities shine, playing a version of Satan who is accidentally summoned by a boy who misspells “Santa.” Black seems to let the director do his job, focusing solely on his performance, which allows him to carry the film.
While the story is generic, it functions well as an enjoyable comedy. It incorporates Christmas themes of family and managed to make me chuckle a few times. The comedic stylings of Jack Black and the Farrelly Brothers seem to work well together. It was also nice to see Bobby’s brother, Peter Farrelly, involved in the writing process, as he knows how to tell a fun story suited to a silly comedy film.
Bobby Farrelly’s directing isn’t as strong as Peter’s or their collaborative efforts, but I can tell he had a clear vision for the film. I haven’t seen his other film Champions (2023), but I can tell he excels in these smaller studio comedy films compared to the more prestigious work Peter directs (apart from his 2024 effort Ricky Stanicky). For what is technically a straight-to-streaming film, Dear Santa looks good and feels like the kind of heartwarming yet silly comedy that the Farrelly Brothers used to make.
Besides Jack Black, the performances are solid. Newcomer Robert Timothy Smith delivers a fun performance, making his character grounded and relatable. Keegan-Michael Key and P.J. Byrne have some funny moments, and there’s a hilarious cameo from pop star Post Malone, which adds more fun to the film. However, it’s undeniably Jack Black who makes this film shine.
Overall, Dear Santa may be a generic Christmas comedy, but it’s a fun and enjoyable film for the whole family. Jack Black and the Farrelly Brothers’ involvement elevates the material, making it more entertaining and funny. Without them, this film would likely have been terrible. I give Dear Santa 3.5/5 stars or 7/10.
Verdict
Between these two big Christmas films, I highly recommend Dear Santa. While Red One is nothing more than a generic Dwayne Johnson action film with a Christmas twist.
At least Dear Santa feels like a delightful comedy, elevated by Bobby Farrelly’s directing and Jack Black’s comedic style.
I’ll admit neither of these films is particularly great—they both feel like products designed to boost the profiles of big mainstream actors. However, I found Dear Santa far more entertaining and fun than Red One.
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