Dwayne Johnson,the Hollywood megastar of notable franchises likeFast & Furiousand films likeMoanaandBlack Adam, saw Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimerin the IMAX seat where the famed director always sees his films, and he had a bizarre reaction. Johnson texted the director ofhis newest film,Red One, and pushed for the holiday blockbuster to be made for the largest screen possible. While it’s pretty ambitious,Red Oneis noOppenheimer.
Variety reportsthat Johnson spoke to IMAX during an event, and he told them that seeing Nolan’s film where he always sits is what actually inspired him to contact director Jake Kasdan and “demand” thatRed Onebe made in the massive IMAX format. Apparently, he believed that it was all a matter of technology, and ifRed Onecould use it, then it could have the same effect thatOppenheimerhad on audiences worldwide.
“WithRed One, our intention was to make a movie that you can enjoy on the biggest screen possible. Legitimately the biggest screens possible are Imax. I was midway through shootingRed Oneand I had an opportunity to seeOppenheimer. I watched in the Imax theater where Christopher Nolan watches and screens his movies. Him and Emma [Thomas], his wife. I even asked to let me sit where Chris sits. They said, ‘Chris sits here.'
I watchOppenheimer. It was amazing, but I was thinking: ‘Holy sh*t.Red Oneon this screen and with this technology could be game over.’ I remember texting Jake [Kasdan], I sent him a picture, first of my bare chest, and then I sent him a picture of the screen and we realized that we just had a great conversation afterwards about just how cool it’s going to be. It’s gonna be very cool.”
WatchingOppenheimeronthebiggest screen was an incredible experience.IMAX upped the game bya lot, letting audiences witness the vision of one of Hollywood’s best directors under the conditions he specified as the best to see his films. We can imagine Johnson having the same reaction. And while it’s socially acceptable to stand up and clap (when the credits roll, please), sending pictures of bare chests is… excessive.
‘Red One’ Isn’t Exactly Having the Reception ‘Oppenheimer’ Did
Oppenheimermade almost $1 billion at the box office on a $100 million budget, and proved that Nolan’s departure from Warner Bros. was the best decision for his career. The film also gave the director a well-deserved Oscar win for Best Director. It was nominated in 13 categories and won in seven of them.
Red Oneisn’t getting the same reactionfrom audiences or critics. Costing over $250 million, the film has only made about $26 million internationally, and is tracking for a disappointing opening in the U.S. this weekend.
Per our own Julian Roman’s review ofRed One:
Red Onedoes stumble somewhat in its attempt to jam every new toy into an already stuffed gift box. This is obviously the first film in a franchise with likely spin-offs for the supporting cast. Lucy Liu co-stars as Zoe Harlow, the Director of M.O.R.A,Red Onehas no shortage of acronyms, a powerful and clandestine agency that polices magical creatures. She, Krampus (Kristofer Hivju), Santa’s clouting sibling, and the villainous Grýla (a badass Kiernan Shipka), have lengthy subplots that deviate from the primary story arc to build their own unique exposition. The result is a film that’s a hair over two hours because it’s too busy introducing everyone at a crowded party. The characters are well-acted and likable, but tread dull with too much screen time.
Red Oneis loaded with vehicle chases, bad guy beatdowns, and a menagerie of digital accomplices. It is admittedly CGI heavy but accomplishes the overall fighting goal. The Snow Men aren’t friendly, but not too scary for younger tykes. There’s just enough violence to satiate all age groups without being too graphic. That said,Red Onedoes earn its PG-13 rating. These elves definitely fill the swear jar with naughty dialogue.
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.
