by Pauline Adamek
Worth: $15.00
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Intro:
If you’re in the mood for an escapist action flick, and you’re a fan of these leads, this entertaining movie will not disappoint.
Lightning-paced, funny and exhilarating, the action comedy Back in Action marks Cameron Diaz’s much-anticipated return to the screen after a nine-year hiatus.
Here, Diaz teams up once again with Jamie Foxx as her co-lead, and their fantastic on-screen chemistry works extremely well. (Past collaborations include ensemble pictures such as Oliver Stone’s sports drama Any Given Sunday from 1999 and the comedy musical Annie, 2014.)
Back in Action begins with an exciting prologue in which undercover agents Matt (Foxx) and his newly pregnant fiancée Emily (Diaz) are assigned by their CIA boss and friend, Chuck (Kyle Chandler), to obtain a powerful device that can control any electronic system. The caper fails spectacularly, and so our heroes decide to go off-grid.
Fifteen years later, the now-married Matt and Emily reside in Atlanta under new identities while raising their pre-teen children Leo (Rylan Jackson) and Alice (McKenna Roberts). As it says on the tin, our heroes have ditched their CIA jobs to lead a seemingly normal family life under assumed identities. That is until they’re forced back into action — with the added wrinkle that the kids are unaware of their parents’ prodigious skills and past careers as superspies (a similar premise to Spy Kids and the more recent The Family Plan).
Naturally, the family dynamic plays a big role in the story, especially as they navigate the challenges of juggling their new identities and the inevitable blown covers all while trying to keep everyone safe.
The reliable formula of super-slick (mostly CGI) special effects backed by expertly designed stunts and action sequences makes for a hugely entertaining picture. The comedy-slash-action style is brimming with charm and energy, adding layers of humour, intrigue, and romance to the well-crafted storyline. There are plenty of 007-level action sequences to keep you entertained, and it’s all family-friendly fare thanks to the fairly clean content and absence of gore. The storyline might feel predictable at times, but it’s light, fun and truly enjoyable. One thing that’s refreshing is the casting of two older action heroes (she’s 52 and he’s 57), both of whom bring significant star power and expertise to their roles. A large portion of the undisclosed budget likely went into the stunts and the overall production values to keep the film fast-paced and visually impressive.
It’s an expensive-looking film that is reminiscent of Knight and Day, the 2010 action comedy where Diaz played an innocent caught up in high-level espionage opposite high-wattage mega-star Tom Cruise. In Back in Action, however, Diaz’s backstory establishes that she’s far more equipped to handle the high-octane stakes this time around.
Directed by Seth Gordon (Horrible Bosses) from a script he co-wrote with Brendan O’Brien (Neighbours), the film also features excellent supporting work from Andrew Scott and Glenn Close.
If you’re in the mood for an escapist action flick, and you’re a fan of these leads, this entertaining movie will not disappoint.
