Film: Red Notice
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot, Ritu Arya, Chris Diamantopoulos
Director: Rawson Marshall Thurber
OTT: Netflix
Rating: 3 Moons
Netflix’s highly-anticipated film Red Notice starring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot, Ritu Arya, Chris Diamantopoulos in the lead has been released to bring more festive cheer on Diwali. Red Notice is a stylish heist film with three of the most loved and followed actors in the lead. Full of daring action, witty one-liners, exotic locales and hilarious quips Red Notice is a good film to have released on OTT platforms.
Dwayne Johnson plays FBI’s top profiler John Hartley while Ryan Reynolds plays Nolan Booth and Gal Gadot plays Sarah Booth. Sarah and Nolan are rival criminals. The film revolves around Interpol’s global alert or red notice to hunt and capture the world’s most wanted criminals. While attempting to steal a golden egg, Nolan, who is an art thief, meets Hartley and thereon the story takes on an interesting turn. Gal’s Sarah is another most wanted thief who goes by the name of ‘The Bishop’ and even though the two actors team up to nab her, comes up trumps against them. What happens when the three meet and sparks fly is what the entire crux of the film.
Red Notice’s story is a little flimsy but the camaraderie of the leading actors make for an entertaining and interesting watch. The film is full of swag, style and suaveness. The high-flying adventure takes our protagonists around the world, across the dance floor, into the jungle, trapped in a secluded remote prison, not to mention the constant company of each other.
Dwayne Johnson’s and Ryan Reynolds’ comedy scenes are truly enjoyable and laugh-out-loud. The former who is known for his action scenes takes a backseat here and lets Gal Gadot steal the show with her action moves and hand-to-hand combat scenes. She makes for an arresting screen presence with her looks and fight sequences. Reynolds, as always, is impeccable in the comedic scenes and delivers his witty one-liners with a straight face making the film enjoyable. Reynolds and Johnson’s banter is a high point of the film.
Rawson Marshall Thurber’s direction although makes for a stylish movie but lacks a taut and new storyline. For a heist film, Red Notice needed more meat to be truly remarkable and should have brought in something new to the table. However, the film’s action scenes make up for any lack. Markus Förderer’s cinematography is smooth and sharp and highlights the action sequences. Michael L Sale’s editing is crisp and commendable. Steve Jablonsky’s music score gives credible support to Red Notice.
Nevertheless, Red Notice makes for an entertaining watch thanks to the charisma of its main leads.
PeepingMoon.com gives Red Notice, 3 Moons.
