Back in Action

The perfect PG-13 action flick for a lazy evening, BACK IN ACTION is an enjoyable action & comic showcase for Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz, returning to the screen after an eleven year hiatus.

As the film opens, we see the couple 15 years ago, in a relationship and pulling off a daring spy mission in a massive mansion. There are definite "True Lies" vibes to the sequence. They obtain a brick size computer "key" that becomes the focus of the entire film. In pure action flick style, I'll be damned if I ever really understood what the key does, but it appears to take control of every power source on the planet. Okay, you have my attention.

The opening 15 minutes is an absolute blast with hairbreadth escapes, great cars flying by at high speeds, a massive plane crash into snow covered mountains and the best use of a parachute in an opening scene since James Bond skied off the Alps to escape the baddies.

A lightweight, "don't take this too serious" tone is set and the film is off and running.

We flash forward to the present day. Matt and Amy have gone off the grid and have two children, 15 year old Alice (McKenna Roberts from "Skyscraper") and her younger brother Leo (Rylan Jackson from "Dungeons & Dragons") think their parents are boring suburbanites. It's a role the couple have played for so long, they might be edging that way.

When a social media post with the couple go viral, old espionage contacts pour into their cul de sac.

Their handler and friend Chuck (Kyle Chandler) shows up first, warning them that global factions are still looking for the key, and they assume that Matt & Amy have it.

Suddenly, a hostile force pours into their neighborhood and we're off and running.

It's all a tad familiar, but executed at a very high enjoyment level by Director Seth Gordon (For All Mankind, Four Christmases) and an excellent cast.

Glenn Close steals every scene she's in as Ginny, Amy's mother, a retired senior MI-6 Director that feels like Judi Dench's M, with a lot more very cool weapons.

Andrew Scott is basically reprising his role as C in OO7's "Spectre", this time for laughs. He plays Baron, the lead office in charge who's carrying a serious torch for Amy.

Jamie Demetriou (Fleabag, Cruella) is hilarious as Ginny's husband, Nigel. The same age as Foxx and Diaz, his attempts to be their Dad are a highlight of the film, as are his attempts to be a field agent. His comic timing is above & beyond!

There are numerous big scale action scenes that are staged on a grand scale, with humor, excitement and plenty of jaw dropping moments.

It's a delicate balance to pull off an action thriller with danger and laughs. Cameron's "True Lies" comes to mind, along with Melissa McCarthy's hilarious "Spy". If I was looking for the second half of a double feature for either of those two favorites, I'd happily plug in BACK IN ACTION.

Teed up for more adventures, I'd grab some popcorn and be right back on the couch for whatever Foxx and Diaz, oops I mean Matt & Amy, dish up next.

Welcome back Cameron, you're in fine form!

BACK IN ACTION gets a very solid B.