Red Notice

Red Notice is a pure genre film for sure. Netflix didn't take any chances and simply offered a trio of action movie veterans another (joint) project. It follows a basic pattern, Reynolds has plenty of one-liners, Gadot is sexy, and Johnson uses his muscles. I don't think anyone will be surprised if more sequels are made. We also get the nice pairing of Gadot and Cleopatra, another of which we got in Death on the Nile, and next year she'll hopefully be playing her in a really no-frills big budget narrative film. (18/04/2022)

Red Notice is an insanely unoriginal and generic, annoyingly unobjectionable flick with a screenplay like a feature-length Tom and Jerry... playing with twists like The Usual Suspects. In the words of Reynolds, “What the fuck?!” His lines are the only bright moments in the film. Even Jungle Cruise was more imaginative and enchanting. (13/11/2021)

A trouble-free film, which was surprising to me. Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds are an unexpectedly great comedy duo, and although neither of them almost ever leave their comfort zones, I didn't mind at all because they are convincingly amusing and not awkward. And Gal Gadot keeps up with them and is more than just a useless pretty face. Red Notice masks the simplicity of the plot with a variety of situations that all three find themselves in, as well as the fact that the film makes fun of itself. For example, when one scene starts to resemble something like Indiana Jones, you can be sure that in a while someone starts whistling the fanfare of John Williams, and the action scene that confirms the affection for Indy lurks around the corner. I liked that the script wasn’t forced, that it didn't need jokes at all costs, that it was imaginative, and although it quotes or recalls all sorts of stuff (the scaffolding scene belongs in Pirates of the Caribbean, etc.), it doesn't steal them, and it is, or tries to be as original as possible. I wanted to be this satisfied with Army of Thieves, for example. (14/11/2021)

At first, I was all in — caught up in the hype and craving some good old-fashioned adventure. I even slapped four stars on it right away. But then, after a restless night, I started to realize why this film felt so... sterile. Sure, Netflix’s most expensive film to date made a massive splash globally, but that’s mostly thanks to the star power of The Rock and Ryan Reynolds, who are undeniably huge draws right now. The problem is, despite the big-budget tag, the film doesn't really feel like it. The action is nothing spectacular, and even though the story hops around the globe, most of it plays out in generic interiors. It’s like Reynolds is whistling Indy’s tune, but the film never quite hits that adventurous stride. And just when you think it might finally deliver some of that classic archaeological thrill that movies like this need, the plot takes a few wild turns that are more nauseating than exciting. Still, I have to admit, despite all that, Red Notice is pure fun — cheesy, superficial, and more about the banter between The Rock and Ryan Reynolds than anything else. It’s perfect if you just want to turn your brain off and enjoy watching two of the biggest action-comedy stars of the moment. (16/11/2021)

A TV B-movie with A-movie actors, a promising theme, a weak screenplay and the oh-so-mediocre Rawson Marshall Thurber in the director’s chair. Red Notice could be great a modern take on Indy (they even have Swastikas) and the search for Cleopatra’s golden eggs, if it weren’t for lots of nonsense and ridiculous (even if unexpected) twists. The Rock, Gadot and Ryan Reynold all act how they always act and if this had had more inventive (better filmed) action and if it hadn’t been filmed in a studio, it could have been a wonderful guilty pleasure, but this way it is only just an entertaining snack. P.S.: Not even Jablonsky was trying... (17/11/2021)