In a surprising turn of events, Dwayne Johnson‘s latest film, “Red One,” has faced severe criticism for its visual effects, despite boasting a staggering production budget of $250 million. The film, which has garnered a low 30% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, showcases an array of CGI that has left both fans and experts questioning its quality. Johnson, a major figure in Hollywood, plays Callum Drift, a security official for Santa Claus, who teams up with naughty bounty hunter Jack O’Malley, portrayed by Chris Evans, to rescue Santa after his kidnapping.
Johnson’s journey from a wrestling star to an esteemed movie actor began with his role as the Scorpion King in 2001’s “The Mummy Returns.” Over the years, he has transitioned into various genres, including comedy and drama, while primarily establishing himself as an action/adventure superstar. Iconic performances in films like the “Fast & Furious” franchise and Disney’s “Moana” have made him a box office giant. However, not every film in Johnson’s filmography has achieved success.
“Red One,” which also features Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, Bonnie Hunt, and Nick Kroll, struggled at the box office with a total gross of $185.7 million. Despite the financial setback, the film’s audience score on Rotten Tomatoes stands at an impressive 90%, buoyed by its availability on Prime Video, where it quickly became the platform’s most-watched movie premiere.
VFX experts from the popular channel Corridor Crew—Sam, Niko, and Wren—shared their analysis on YouTube, where they meticulously examined the CGI in two key scenes. They focused first on an action-packed sequence set in the North Pole, featuring Drift’s escape from an avalanche. Niko was quick to highlight that the “physical danger doesn’t really work when it’s so CGI-heavy,” emphasizing how viewers can clearly sense the digital enhancements rather than authentic peril. Sam added a humorous touch, noting the overwhelming number of CG rocks in the shot, cheekily referencing Johnson’s wrestling persona, “The Rock.” This criticism raises questions about the effectiveness and believability of the film’s visual depiction of danger.
Wren elaborated further, pointing out an uncanny quality in the scenes that had undergone significant digital manipulation. He observed that while some action was filmed with green screens, the transitions appeared awkward. Sam echoed these concerns by mentioning a distracting motion blur effect, which detracted from the overall quality of the visuals.
Another clip examined a beach scene that drew disapproval for replacing actual backgrounds with CGI, leading to the question from Sam: “Why didn’t you just film it on a cool island beach?” Niko noted that they encountered issues with light wrapping, which contributed to the puzzled reactions from the viewers regarding the film’s visual coherence.
While the extensive use of CGI in “Red One” might have stretched its VFX team thin, potential financial factors could also play a role in the film’s production issues. The high budget may be influenced more by a star-studded cast rather than solely dedicated to advanced visual effects. Johnson’s previous ventures, such as “Black Adam” and “Jungle Cruise,” also suffered from overinflated budgets, raising concerns about whether these productions prioritize star power over technical craftsmanship.
This critique of “Red One” sheds light on the growing concerns regarding the CGI-driven landscapes of contemporary cinema, especially when stakes are high, both financially and artistically. As audiences demand greater authenticity in visual storytelling, the disappointment surrounding this Dwayne Johnson film raises questions about the future direction of big-budget endeavors in the film industry.
As the conversation continues, it remains to be seen how this criticism will influence Dwayne Johnson’s career trajectory and future projects. Will the financial and critical challenges faced by “Red One” push Hollywood to rethink its reliance on CGI, or will audiences continue to overlook these discrepancies for the sake of star appeal? The outcome could shape the landscape of modern filmmaking in the years to come.