That one of the fall's most star-studded movies is actually being released via Netflix says a lot about the current state of moviemaking. The streamer has consistently shown its might by releasing some of the buzziest films of the year, and Rawson Marshall Thurber's Red Notice certainly falls under that category. Armed with an impressive lead trio made up of Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot, Red Notice is the kind of classic action flick that doesn't get made very often today. That means it has plenty of logic gaps, over-the-top action, and is generally a lot of fun. Red Notice doesn't quite coalesce into something that could become a timeless classic of its own, but it provides plenty of entertainment.
The title Red Notice refers to a warrant Interpol puts out for its most-wanted criminals, such as those at the center of the movie. Straight-laced FBI profiler John Hartley (Johnson) scores a major win when he finally apprehends notorious art thief Nolan Booth (Reynolds), a wily criminal who has managed plenty of daring escapes over the years. Booth's been targeting pieces known as Cleopatra's Eggs, though he's hardly the only one out to get them. Just when Hartley thinks he's made a triumphant arrest, the world's most wanted art thief, the Bishop (Gadot), double-crosses and frames him for the theft of one of the Eggs. In order to clear his name, Hartley must team up with Booth to find the other Eggs and take down the Bishop once and for all.
Marshall, who also wrote the screenplay for Red Notice, knows all the beats he has to hit with a movie like this. The action is quick and exciting to watch, and the characters travel all over the globe in their determination to get to each Egg before the others. There's plenty of banter between the three leads, especially with Booth and Hartley as they settle into their odd couple pairing. Unfortunately, not every quip lands, even when delivered by Reynolds with his signature wise-crack style. Red Notice pulls out a few good laughs, but the dialogue doesn't always stick the landing. The action makes up for that in some instances; working with cinematographer Markus Förderer, Marshall keeps the camera zipping around in a way that brings some necessary energy to Red Notice.
Even beyond the action, Marshall fully embraces the idea that bigger is better in every way. There are twists upon twists baked into the story, and the audience's enjoyment of the entire movie will also depend on how willing they are to take them in stride. Marshall does run the risk of muddying up the plot too much by the end. Nevertheless, it's usually quite fun watching criminals and special agents double-cross each other, and Red Notice definitely is fun. It might not be the most memorable Netflix movie out there, but it's hard to resist a project that pairs Johnson, Reynolds, and Gadot together. Each star looks to be having a grand time, with Gadot perhaps enjoying herself the most. She clearly relishes the opportunity to play a devious thief, and though her performance veers into wink-wink territory a bit too often instead of actual menace, she's fun to watch.
Johnson and Reynolds are, effectively, playing the archetypes they're best known for. Despite being an FBI profiler, Johnson is still a macho action man as Agent Hartley, and Reynolds' familiar brand of humor is on full display here. These aren't bad things, though it means that Red Notice doesn't do much to push either actor to new places. Still, they're a solid duo, and it's hard to resist the unlikely-allies-to-full-blown-partners trope. As expected, the final minutes of Red Notice pave the way for a sequel, should this installment drum up good streaming numbers for Netflix. Honestly, seeing these actors as these characters again is an intriguing prospect, but also only if the second movie decides to nudge them down surprising paths. Luckily, the sequel setup seems to do that.
Ultimately, anyone who enjoys star-driven action movies will find something to like about Red Notice. Johnson, Reynolds, and Gadot are all having a ball, and the fast-paced action helps to keep things from getting too silly. Some fans might be able to guess at certain plot twists, but that won't detract too much from the overall experience. The appeal of Red Notice is watching its three stars go head-to-head in a globe-trotting adventure, and Marshall delivers on that count. In that sense, it's a success, even if the overall product is definitely worth more than the sum of its parts.
Red Notice is now available to watch in select theaters and begins streaming Friday, November 12 on Netflix. It's 117 minutes long and rated PG-13 for violence and action, some sexual references, and strong language.
