Christmas action with Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans
The Straits Times|November 06, 2024
Festive flick Red One also marks a return to action films for American actress Lucy Liu
Alison de Souza
Christmas action with Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans

LOS ANGELES - An action comedy to start getting you in the mood for Christmas, Red One sees Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons) being kidnapped and the North Pole's head of security (Dwayne Johnson) working with a bounty hunter (Chris Evans) to save him.

Opening in Singapore cinemas on Nov 7, the globetrotting adventure boasts big action scenes of the sort rarely seen in Christmas films, says Johnson at a Zoom press conference from Berlin, Germany, on Nov 4.

"The material lent itself to big action and scale, which you typically don't see in Christmas movies," says the 52-year-old. The American star has appeared in dozens of action films, including the Fast & Furious (2001 to present) and Jumanji (1995 to present) franchises.

Evans, who played Captain America in Marvel movies such as Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) and Avengers: Endgame (2019), agrees.

And the American actor believes Christmas stories are well suited to the action genre.

"There's such great Christmas folklore - not just the stories we all grew up with, but internationally," says the 43-year-old.

This story is from the November 06, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November 06, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE STRAITS TIMESView All
Rust prosecutor withdraws appeal of dismissal of Alec Baldwin case
The Straits Times

Rust prosecutor withdraws appeal of dismissal of Alec Baldwin case

The effort to prosecute Alec Baldwin (right) for the fatal shooting of a cinematographer in 2021 ended on Dec 23, when the special prosecutor withdrew her appeal of the judge's decision to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter charge during the actor's trial.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 25, 2024
Stray Kids' album Hop gets historic sixth Billboard 200 No. 1
The Straits Times

Stray Kids' album Hop gets historic sixth Billboard 200 No. 1

K-pop boy band Stray Kids marked a historic milestone by ranking No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for the sixth time with their latest album, Hop.

time-read
1 min  |
December 25, 2024
New entries to a hallowed catalogue: The holiday album
The Straits Times

New entries to a hallowed catalogue: The holiday album

NEW YORK A holiday album offers musicians a chance to adopt or reinvent a classic format and show fans a different side of themselves. Here is a sampling of 2024’s releases, from singers exploring the standards to artistes rethinking the meaning of the holidays.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 25, 2024
‘I was upstaging myself constantly'
The Straits Times

‘I was upstaging myself constantly'

Actor Jim Carrey comes out of retirement to play dual geniuses in Sonic The Hedgehog 3

time-read
3 mins  |
December 25, 2024
Binge-worthy Gong Yoo shows fragile, vulnerable side in The Trunk
The Straits Times

Binge-worthy Gong Yoo shows fragile, vulnerable side in The Trunk

A gunshot and sinking of the titular trunk set up this psychological-romance drama led by South Korean star Gong Yoo.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 25, 2024
Thrills and spills abound in legal thriller Juror #2, airport actioner Carry-On
The Straits Times

Thrills and spills abound in legal thriller Juror #2, airport actioner Carry-On

The story: Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood's 40th directorial feature has a juror (Nicholas Hoult) in a high-profile murder trial weighing a crisis of conscience.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 25, 2024
History is handled with care in Harbin
The Straits Times

History is handled with care in Harbin

The period drama directed by Woo Min-ho is a handsome but reverent account of a Korean hero

time-read
2 mins  |
December 25, 2024
The extremely offline joy of the board game club
The Straits Times

The extremely offline joy of the board game club

When Ms Michelle Kong started a chess club in 2023, hoping to meet other players in their 20s, attendance was so meagre that she needed only one chessboard.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 25, 2024
You may not need protein powder if you are eating right
The Straits Times

You may not need protein powder if you are eating right

But if it is necessary to use the supplement, choose one that has fewer extra ingredients

time-read
4 mins  |
December 25, 2024
Exercise helps with almost everything, including hangovers
The Straits Times

Exercise helps with almost everything, including hangovers

Electrolyte drinks, ibuprofen, a bagel overflowing with bacon, egg and cheese - everyone has his or her own way of nursing a hangover.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 25, 2024