‘Back in Action’ movie review: Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx deliver this effortless action-comedy

A scene from ‘Back in Action’ Photo Credit: Netflix

Cameron Diaz is back in action (at the risk of sounding on the nose)! After a decade long gap, Charlie’s Angels The star opted to hit the big screen with the Seth Gordon-directed action-comedy opposite Jamie Foxx.

Emily (Cameron Diaz) and Matt (Jamie Foxx) are former intelligence agents who left the profession to raise a family in suburban America. Currently under non-official cover, they have their hands full with an angsty teenage daughter, Alice (McKenna Roberts), who sneaks out to get into clubs, and a hypervigilant pre-teen son, Leo (Rylan Jackson), whose Have two-factor authentication. All his accounts. Tired of dealing with their children’s quirks, the couple secretly long for the good old days when they could pull off a few “coups.”

His desire to wear the hat of an intelligence agent is unwittingly fulfilled when his former boss Chuck (Kyle Chandler) arrives to inform him that his identity has been compromised and he has to go on the run from Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operatives. Those who are behind them should go.

The couple forces their children to travel with them to the United Kingdom; Keep in mind, kids still think of their parents as embarrassing Gen-Xers because of their terrible interest in music. The tension that arises between children and parents as a result of miscommunication during an overseas journey is where the film is at its best.

A scene from ‘Back in Action’ Photo Credit: Netflix

After a car chase and a series of scuffles the family reaches their destination in the UK where family secrets, tensions and decades of misunderstandings expose new dynamics between the relatives. Just as we crave more emotion and family drama, we are subjected to more uninspired action-packed scenes – the obvious boredom is felt through the screen and can easily be seen on the couple’s faces. In fact, it is the kids, Roberts and Jackson, who make an honest effort to wow the audience with their wits.

While Fox and Diaz’s comedic timing is somewhat spot on, they are not challenged enough by Gordon. Andrew Scott’s featured roles leave a lot to be desired. The shiny CGI sets overwhelm the film and contribute to its hollow, lifeless nature.

While action-comedy as a genre is gaining popularity thanks to the hit films of Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. Fall guyThis is not a Netflix production yet. But if you’re looking to stream a movie while getting your work done on a lazy Sunday afternoon, look no further.

Back in Action is currently streaming on Netflix