Amazon MGM's $250-million bid at a Marvel-level Christmas franchise is a charmless, level-four naughty-lister that will make you wish Christmas was canceled.

The latest in an ongoing trend of action-packed Christmas movies, J.K. Simmons takes on the white beard from Kurt Russell, Mel Gibson and David Harbour in Red One, a $200 million Amazon MGM Studios streaming-turned-theatrical production that blends genres for some family-friendly holiday fun with a generous dose of self-aware absurdity.

Reviews and reactions are in for Red One, the new Christmas movie starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans – and they're not great. The film sees Santa Claus, played by JK Simmons, kidnapped. Callum Drift (Johnson), head of security in the North Pole, sets out to rescue him, teaming up with bounty hunter Jack O'Malley (Evans).

That said, I'm not that sure a Hollywood movie has ever kicked off the season with less true Christmas spirit than "Red One." Sure, J.K. Simmons plays Santa Claus (who gets abducted), and Simmons is winning in his crinkly old wise innocence. Dwayne Johnson ...

Praise must once again be given to Chris Morgan’s script, which came from a story concept originating with Red One producer Hiram Garcia. As the Seven Bucks Productions stalwart wanted to create “a kick-ass Christmas movie,” action and emotion are complimented by some seriously intriguing world building.

Red One, Chris Evans and Dwayne Johnson 's new Christmas movie, has received its first reactions, and critics are divided. Announced in 2021, the festive action movie about a task force on a mission to find Santa Claus didn't fully convince viewers.

Red One’ blends action and holiday magic but falls short on true Christmas spirit, says critic Owen Gleiberman.

The festive flick also marks a return to action films for American actress Lucy Liu. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The movie's shining light is JK Simmons as a muscly Santa who can easily do 500 press-ups in five minutes. He manages to sell the schmaltzy lines and is a great fit as Saint Nick in his second Santa movie outing following Netflix's exceptional Klaus. Unfortunately, the plot means he's off-screen after the first act and the movie suffers for it.

The most important thing I can tell you about Jake Kasdan's "Red One" is that yes, it's a real film starring Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans as a mismatched action movie odd couple rescuing a kidnapped Santa Claus,