Warning: this article contains some spoilers for Red One
Red Oneis a new kind of Christmas film that combines action sequences, holiday myths, and Christmas spirit for a unique and entertaining holiday watch.Red Onehas a star-studded castled by Dwayne Johnson and MCU star Chris Evans as the unlikely team of Callum and Jack. The two are tasked with rescuing Santa Claus from the winter witch Gryla while encountering othermythical Christmas creaturesalong the way. WhileRed Oneis packed with action sequences and witty lines, at its heart, it still holds a heartwarming message for audiences to enjoy.
Despite its well-known cast and unique plot,Red Onehas failed to become a box office success.Reviews ofRed Onehave highlighted that the movie feels uneven, and the jokes don’t always play too well, despite some positive moments. However, thoughRed Onehas not been overly successful, it has a surprising amount in common with one widely successful $1 billion Marvel franchise.
Red One Steals Ant-Man’s Powers From The MCU
Callum Can Shrink Himself Much Like Ant-Man
WithinRed One, Dwayne Johnson’s character Callum, who is head of North Pole Security, has the ability to alter his own size and the size of toys.Callum can shrink himself down to better fit into smaller spaces just like Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) can in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Conversely, he is also able to alter the size of toys and make them real. This can be seen in a funny scene in which he turns a Hot Wheels toy into a real car as a means of escape for him and Jack.
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These skills are very similar to Ant-Man’s powers in the MCU.Ant-Man is able to shrink himself down, as well as occasionally grow to the size of a giant. Likewise, throughout the MCU, Ant-Man is also seen shrinking down with his weapons, implying that he does have at least some power to alter the size of objects around him as well. Though Callum’s powers may not include the ability to alter everything, being able to turn toys into functional, life-size objects certainly has its uses.
Chris Evans' Red One Character Is A Lot Like Ant-Man
Jack’s Personality Is Similar To Scott Lang
Just asRed Onegives Callum similar powers to Scott Lang,Chris Evans' character Jack O’Malley has a very similar personality to Paul Rudd’s character. InAnt-Man, Scott Lang is a thief who agrees to break into someone’s house, only to find he has stolen the Ant-Man suit. While Lang is a criminal, he is also a good man at heart and someone that the audience wants to root for. Additionally, his witty dialogue makes him funny and sarcastic so that scenes never become too serious, and Paul Rudd pulls this attitude off perfectly.
After being convinced to help save Santa, it becomes clear that Jack possesses the same good heart as Scott Lang, which will eventually allow him to do the right thing.
WithinRed One,Chris Evans' character Jack perfectly mirrors Rudd’s Scott Lang. Jack is a hacker whose criminal history is also following him at the beginning ofRed Onewhen he accidentally gives Gryla the coordinates that allow her to kidnap Santa Claus. After being convinced to help save Santa, it becomes clear that Jack possesses the same good heart as Scott Lang, which will eventually allow him to do the right thing. What’s more,the two characters have very similar styles of witty banter that keep their respective movies light and funny.
Red One Isn’t Nearly As Successful As Ant-Man
While there are some definite similarities betweenRed Oneand theAnt-Manmovies,Ant-Manis overwhelmingly the more successful of the two.Though reviews have enjoyed the mythical aspects ofRed One, the story overall has not been reviewed too favorably. While audiences may enjoy the movie once, it’s likely not going to become a Christmas classic or even something to be rewatched at all. In contrast, the originalAnt-Manhad a self-contained plot that proved further interesting because of how it could contribute to the MCU overall. Fans are likely to continue rewatching the series as the MCU expands.
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Beyond the story,Red Onehas also fallen far behindAnt-Manin critical reception and financial success. WhileRed Onehas currently grossed $117.1 million on a budget of $250 million (viaThe Numbers), the firstAnt-Manmovie grossed $519.3 million on a budget of $130 million (viaBox Office Mojo).Ant-Mancurrently holds an 83% critical approval rating onRotten Tomatoesand boasts two successful sequels as well as appearances in other MCU movies. Though some audiences have enjoyedRed One,it unfortunately seems unlikely that it will come to be as successful or well-loved as its MCU counterpart.
Red One
Cast
After Santa Claus is kidnapped, the North Pole’s Head of Security (Dwayne Johnson) must team up with a notorious bounty hunter (Chris Evans) in a thrilling, globe-spanning mission to save Christmas. This action-packed holiday adventure mixes comedy and festive magic, with an ensemble cast that includes Lucy Liu and J.K. Simmons.
