The Netflix offering of Back in Action (2025) has gotten a lot of flack from critics. But folks, don’t take this one seriously. It is meant to be a bit of fun. Apparently, everyone expects Cameron Diaz to be Lady MacBeth to Jamie Foxx’s Scottish King.
Really?
The story
Emily and Matt are spies. On their, unbeknownst to them, last mission, Emily learns she is pregnant. Matt makes the decision to leave the job. Years later, their cover is blown and they must fight for their children’s lives.
the cast
The Fam:
Jamie Foxx is Matt.
Cameron Diaz is Emily.
McKenna Roberts is Alice.
Rylan Jackson is Leo.
Glenn Close is Ginny.
Jamie Demetriou is Nigel, AKA Nige.
The Goodies and the Baddies:
Kyle Chandler is Chuck.
Andrew Scott is Baron.
Fola Evans-Akingbola is Wendy.
Robert Besta is Balthazar Gor.
Behind the camera
Before going into who does what in Back in Action in terms of behind the camera shenanigans I have just one thing to say. The film looks brilliant and despite some two dimensional characters, it is funny. What it is not is deep.
Seth Gordon directs this one. He also co-wrote the screenplay with Brendan O’Brien (Neighbors) and the combo is a good one. This film does amuse and tickle that old funny bone.
It also has some “kick arse” stunts. We doff our hat to Laurent Buson for some awesome fight choreography. Everything works here. The VFX, the stunts (So good that we have to mention them twice.) and cinematography rocks: Ken Seng kills it here.
Lastly?
The music rocks (Pun not intended.) with precision. In Back in Action the score, by Christopher Lennertz, is spot on for each scene. How can you not love the working in of a Dean Martin song in the plane fight scene.
It works
Back in Action is not Shakespeare and it is definitely “Shaken not stirred.” It is a good time though. It is certainly not as bad as the awkward spy film effort of Ghosted. Everyone brings their A game to this one. Glenn Close doing her own version of the Helen Mirren Reds character and killing it.
Keep an eye on the young actors here. Despite being stuck with two dimensional characters, they acted their little cotton socks off. Kudos to them.
Diaz’s return is, despite the naysayers out there, triumphant. Doing what she does best, almost effortlessly. *Considering the “rumours” around her working environment and run-ins with her co-star Foxx.
Foxx, in spite of his health issues while filming and afterward, also does what he does best. I am an unabashed fan. The only film I did not like him in was the remake of Annie. While rumours of his clashing with Diaz overshadowed the film, it is clear that his issues were of the health variety.
the verdict
Back in Action earns a solid 4 stars out of 5. Sure it is not blazingly original but come on guys and dolls, it is an action/comedy. The film is streaming on Netflix and is definitely worth a look. I highly recommend it.
the trailer
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