The Red One promises an action-packed, fun-filled romance to save Christmas, with a star-studded cast led by Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans. While the film delivers on its festive premise in parts, it struggles to maintain its spark as a whole, ultimately becoming a disorganized mix of holiday cheer and action clichés.

The story begins with the kidnapping of Santa Claus – code-named “Red One” – throwing the North Pole into chaos. Enter Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson), Santa’s ever-devoted bodyguard, who is just days away from retirement. Grumpy and world-weary, Callum reluctantly teams up with the world’s most notorious bounty hunter Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans) to rescue Santa and save Christmas. The plot focuses not only on saving the jolly old man, but also on restoring joy, innocence and the magic of Christmas to a world that is losing touch with its inner child.

Dwayne Johnson plays Callum Drift with his trademark mix of stoicism and charm. Callum is burdened with the burden of seeing more names added to the naughty list every year – a reflection of society’s declining kindness. His decision to retire, driven by this disappointment, adds an unexpectedly somber tone to an otherwise light-hearted film. Johnson does his best to bring the character to life, but the script leaves little room for nuance.

Meanwhile, Chris Evans plays evil bounty hunter Jack O’Malley. Jack, known as “The Wolf”, is a loner with a tragic past who has been forced to grow up too quickly. His journey of reinvention – reconnecting with his estranged son while helping Santa save him – is intended to serve as the emotional core of the film. Evans brings a certain flair to the role, especially in comedic moments, but his banter with Johnson fails more than expected. Strangely, their camaraderie during promotional events shone more brightly than their on-screen interactions.

Kiernan Shipka as the villainous Gryla gives a performance that is serviceable but not memorable. Grilla’s motivations – stemming from a desire to address the growing Naughty List problem – are underdeveloped, leaving the audience unsure whether he is completely at fault or simply misunderstood. Unfortunately, the character lacks the necessary menace to serve as a credible foil to Johnson’s Callum.

The film borrows heavily from the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s visual and thematic playbook, resulting in an Avengers-esque vibe that’s hard to ignore.

Lucy Liu uses a pair of fighting sticks in scenes that seem straight out of Black Widow’s fighting arsenal. The North Pole, with its advanced technology and protective dome, could easily be interpreted as an icy iteration of Wakanda.

Jack’s hand-to-hand combat sequence against a squad of elite elf soldiers in his apartment is reminiscent of Captain America’s fight in Civil War, complete with shield-like improvements. Meanwhile, Callum’s use of shrinking and expanding technology ranging from tiny cars to full-sized vehicles mid-chase makes for a strange, albeit amusing, homage to Ant-Man.

The film tries to blend action, comedy and holiday spirit, but fails to deliver on more than one occasion. While Jack’s cheeky humor brings some lightness, the overall tone leans heavily on seriousness, particularly with its somber perspective on the Naughty List crisis. The action sequences, while smartly choreographed, feel repetitive, and the resolution of the central conflict – how to handle the naughty list – is never truly accomplished.

One glaring shortcoming is the lack of a coherent narrative. The premise of Saving Christmas should have been a treasure trove of fun and creativity, yet the film often feels like it’s playing it safe. Despite competent direction and cinematography, the content remains stuck in its formulaic roots and fails to rise above mediocrity.

The soundtrack is another mixed bag. While the inclusion of Mariah Carey’s iconic “All I Want for Christmas Is You” adds some festive atmosphere, its placement during the end credits makes it easily forgettable. A film like this could have used its music to enhance the festive mood, but that opportunity was missed.

The Red One is a middling holiday film that’s fun to watch once, even if it doesn’t fully commit to its potential. It’s torn between being a heart-warming Christmas movie and an action-packed thriller and ultimately doesn’t succeed on either count. The cast, especially Johnson and Evans, do their best to keep the film moving, but their efforts are let down by a weak script.