The film’s strengths lie in its cast and its story. Reynolds and Johnson are both excellent actors, and Gadot is a great addition to the cast. The script is inconsistent, but overall it is a well-done film.
The Bishop forces Booth and Hartley to team up after he meddles in their relationship, and it’s their odd-couple dynamic that creates the film’s biggest laughs. Reynolds is his usual snarky self and is often interchangeable with his Deadpool character due to the many smartass lines (often at Hartley’s expense), that he gets to deliver in the film. Johnson rarely navigates to new territory either, although mercifully never gets to do his all-too-familiar eyebrow raise that has now become tiresome. The two actors spark well off each other throughout the film, although it’s Reynolds knack for improvisation that gives him the upper hand in most of their dialogue scenes. ..
Gadot pops in and out of the film and is as reliably excellent as ever. We never quite know what her character’s motives are or who she’s working for (or with), but this is fine as it adds to the sense of mystery that director Rawson Marshall Thurber tries to conjure up. It’s also good to see Gadot in a different kind of role after her recent outings as Wonder Woman.
The film is generally a lot of fun, with some well-orchestrated action scenes and interesting character interactions. However, the plot can be a bit too ridiculous at times, making it difficult to stay invested.
I went into the film with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. Thurber and Johnson’s previous film, Central Intelligence, was better but I had low expectations for their latest film together. The film is hardly a classic but Reynolds and Johnson are an effectively funny pairing, even though they are largely playing to type. Gadot plays against them well, as does Rita Arya as the Interpol agent who is perpetually on their trail.
Netflix has a bad track record when it comes to blockbuster movies. Thunder Force, The Outsider, and The Last Days of American Crime all underwhelmed, and the least said about Adam Sandler’s movies for the streaming giant, the better! Red Notice slightly bucks the trend. It’s not a film that will long live in your memory and you are unlikely to re-watch it regularly. However, if you’re looking for something to watch with your brain turned off, you might enjoy this film. Some scenes do border on the ridiculous – the scene where Johnson gets pummeled by a bull and remains largely unscathed is one example – but they are all part of Red Notice’s goofy charm. Red Notice is an oddball thriller that Netflix released last year. While it may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there’s something oddly compelling about it if you’re looking for something mindless to watch. Some scenes border on absurdist humor - like when Johnson gets pummeled by a bull and barely feels a thing - but they’re all part of Red Notice’s quirky charm. If you’re curious about what Netflix has in store for 2019 (and don’t mind some cheesy humor), give this movie a try! ..
Red Notice 2 is most likely in the running for a sequel. It sets itself up for one and I wouldn’t be unwilling to watch these characters again. Despite an incredulous last-minute twist and a particularly cringe-worthy cameo, it isn’t as awful as it could have been. If you’re a fan of the leads, you might enjoy this. Just set your expectations to ’low’ first to avoid being disappointed.
