INTRODUCTION
This is a quick review of the newly released film Back In Action. Please note that this is just one of the many movies I will have watched each year, and my initial grade for this film may change over time, for better or worse. To stay up to date on my thoughts about other movies and any potential changes in my opinion on this one, follow me on Letterboxd.
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PLOT
Via Letterboxd: Years after giving up life as CIA spies to start a family, Emily and Matt are pulled back into the world of espionage when their cover is blown.
REVIEW
It’s been about a decade since Cameron Diaz graced the silver screen, and now she’s making her return in Netflix’s latest action-comedy, Back in Action. Diaz stars alongside Jamie Foxx as a pair of CIA spies whose attempt at a normal life gets blown, forcing them into a high-stakes, globe-trotting adventure - with their kids in tow. If the premise sounds like it was pulled straight from an AI-generated Netflix script, you’re not alone; the setup is reminiscent of countless other mid-tier streamer action originals. On paper, this movie should be a straightforward, forgettable, C-tier affair. But to my surprise, there’s just enough charm here to elevate it to the level of a light, enjoyable watch.
Let’s address the obvious shortcomings upfront. The movie hasn’t exactly been raking in glowing reviews, and it’s not hard to see why. The dialogue is standard fare, peppered with lazy quips and half-hearted attempts at humor. The green-screen effects are distractingly obvious at times, making even the laziest CGI from major theatrical releases look like technical masterpieces. And the narrative wraps up in a tidy, risk-averse way that keeps the stakes feeling relatively low. If someone walked away from Back in Action with a negative impression, I wouldn’t argue too strenuously with their take.
That being said, I’ve definitely seen worse from this genre. For all its flaws, Back in Action benefits from the undeniable star power of its cast. Beyond Diaz and Foxx (who I personally found to be a decent pairing), the movie boasts performances from Andrew Scott, Kyle Chandler, and even Glenn Close, who all bring a touch of credibility and charisma to the table, albeit with limitations given what they’re working with. The soundtrack also adds a surprising amount of personality to the movie, lending the film a more vibrant tone than many similar Netflix action-comedy originals. And while the action sequences are far from groundbreaking, they have their moments of creativity and fun. A few running gags even managed to elicit genuine chuckles from me, which is more than I can say for other such films.
Now, am I saying I’ll revisit this movie down the road? Not likely. But did I find it enjoyable enough to stick with it through the end? Absolutely. As formulaic and predictable as it is, Back in Action kept me engaged and entertained just enough to avoid feeling like a chore. If I were in a worse mood, I might grade it closer to a C+, but my experience left me with a soft B-. It’s the kind of breezy, mindless action-comedy that one probably expects from a streaming original flick, and it fulfills that role capably.
If you’re in the mood for an undemanding spy adventure with a bit of star wattage and some sporadic laughs, Back in Action is worth a try. It won’t redefine the genre, but it might just hit the spot for a casual movie night.
GRADING