Red Notice's arrival took me by surprise, but there it was, all ready to go on Netflix and right on the heels of my Get Back Disney+ indulgence, no less. Hot diggity!
The movie stars Ryan Reynolds, Dwayne Johnson and Gal Gadot (for all intents and purposes, Deadpool, Hercules and Wonder Woman) in a madcap, Bondian spree about retrieving the three (alleged), adorned egg-sculptures that Marc Antony gifted Cleopatra.
What makes this adventure such great fun is the banter among its principals, but also its globetrotting twists, which make one wonder who among the trio is fooling whom. The assumption is that Johnson's FBI Agent John Hartley is the good guy, Ryan Reynolds' Booth Nolan is the bad guy set to turn good, and Gal Gadot's "Bishop" is the presiding, manipulating baddie, but as the plot spins, not all is as it seems. (One even starts to question the film's good-gal pursuer, Ritu {The Umbrella Academy} Ayra's Agent Das, who has the ultra-buoyancy to keep resurfacing against all credible odds, not to mention the audacious intent of Chris {The Three Stooges '12} Diamantopoa's villainous Sotto Voce, a possessor of one of the fabled eggs.)
Rawson Marshall (Skycraper) Thurber's direction holds its own with the best of 007 directors, and his script is a crackerjack one, which lends itself well to its popular, screen personalities.
Steve Jablonisky's spy-thrill score cements everything, as does Marcus Forder's cinematography, so that when one isn't laughing (in particular at the inside-movie jokes) or second-guessing the sneaky surprises, it's easy to settle into what becomes an aesthetically pleasing, modern Our Man Flint or mega-budgeted Get Smart. (Now that I think of it, Johnson was in the latter's hefty remake. How's that for associated kismet?!)
To analyze Red Notice's histrionic points would spoil the adventure. It must be experienced in a fresh way, but it's suffice to say that it's enjoyable from start to finish, and yep, it could/should usher more.
I'm all for that. Red Notice (incidentally, a worldwide alert to seize those of monumental threat) isn't resolved with this picture, with more such "notices" insinuated by the time the end credits commence. Considering the leads' chemistry (and the opportunity to see Gadot don more slinky attire), this is a franchise just itchin' to be born, even if its relegation remains exclusive to streaming. Whatever the viewing format, let it happen. Red Notice II can't come fast enough in my eager estimation.
No comments:
Post a Comment