Alice Oscura, Featured Writer
Disclaimer: The following contains minor spoilers, and all cast interview information has been gathered from articles online
One thing that the freshly released Netflix action/comedy Back in Action can boast about is the fact that the film got American actress, Cameron Diaz, out of retirement. But the person most responsible for this achievement is actor Jamie Foxx who has been a long-time friend of the actress. The two had starred together in two previous films, Any Given Sunday (1999) and Annie (2014). Coincidentally, Annie would be Diaz’s last film before she retired to dedicate time towards raising a family with husband Benji Madden (lead guitarist for rock band, Good Charlotte). Diaz has stated in interviews that she was approached about the film during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. She and her husband mutually agreed that it would be nice to switch things up a bit by having her back on a movie set after the 10-year absence. But what finalised her decision was ultimately the fact that she would be paired on the project with one of her friends (Foxx). Diaz even remarked that she had considered Foxx to be one of the most talented men in the business! However, with just eight days left for filming, tragedy struck in 2023 when the actor had to be hospitalised due to a health emergency. Later it was revealed that the actor had suffered a severe stroke which left him unable to walk and with no memory of the past 20 days. A further delay was caused by the Hollywood actors strike, which lasted for four months. However, the resilient actor was able to make a full recovery and returned to the set to complete the film.
Knowing all of this occurred behind the scenes makes me appreciate the film even more. With that being said, I am still going to have to say that the film’s story is extremely predictable and riddled with dumb clichés and tropes. That doesn’t make it any less entertaining to the audience who are already fans of Diaz and Foxx.
Back In Action is about a couple, Emily (Diaz) and Matt (Foxx) who used to be CIA operatives until a fateful plane crash gave them the opportunity to leave the world of spying behind after Emily discovers that she is pregnant with Matt’s child. However, 15 years later, they accidentally blow their cover after they track their teenaged daughter to a nightclub one night. Soon, everyone is after them for a disk that contains a world dominating software that Matt hid 15 years ago.
The film is directed by Seth Gordon (Horrible Bosses <2011> and Identity Thief <2013>) and the screenplay was co-written by Gordon and Brendan O’Brien. Unfortunately, there’s nothing even remotely unique about Back in Action’s plot. At times, it can even feel like a Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), except now they’ve got kids. But somehow, I don’t think that Gordon and cast were looking for Oscar-worthy here. The film is simply a fun and entertaining watch without the headache of having to concentrate on a complicated storyline.
One of the most overused tropes that I have seen screenwriters use over and over again is the rebellious teenager arc. I am here to tell you that not all teenagers automatically rebel against their parents’ rules. It is a trope that I would love to see thrown out the window eventually because every single time that I see it in a movie it ticks me off! That being said, they did it once again with Emily and Matt’s teenaged daughter, Alice (McKenna Roberts). As I said before, quit making teenagers disrespectful to their parents, it’s not funny in the least!
Due to their offscreen friendship, Diaz and Foxx have a natural ease with each other, and it shows. This comfort level is always a definite plus when it comes to doing comedy. The fighting sequences were also quite well choreographed. Award-winning actress, Glenn Close, is hilarious and shows that she’s still got her acting chops at full capacity despite being in her late seventies.
I think that it’s a great couple’s film in the sense that you can watch it with your significant other with a large bowl of popcorn and de-stress after a hard day’s work or simply for a date night at home. Longtime fans of Cameron Diaz will certainly feel satisfied at seeing the actress’ return to the screen with a more than suitable pairing with Jamie Foxx. Both are seasoned actors when it comes to comedic timing, and for this reason alone Back in Action is worth the watch.
P.S. If you get a craving to see Cameron Diaz in a similar role with a better storyline, then you need to check out Knight and Day (2010). It is a satirical spy action comedy where she stars alongside Tom Cruise.
Dark Alice’s Score: 5.5 out of 10
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Dark Alice has an old soul and a curious mind. I believe that anyone can be a hero and that the good guys should always win! I dislike cruelty to animals and think that they have far superior qualities to humans. My motto is there is no future without the past. I also have a weird penchant for Paranormal TV shows even though the slightest sound makes me jump. I enjoy writing reviews and throwing in fun facts to pique the readers’ curiosity. My ultimate goal in life would be to become a published writer one day. Read More