Back in Action Review: An Action Film That Missed Its Mission

Netflix’s latest film Back in Action marks Cameron Diaz’s return to movies after a 10-year hiatus. The film is marketed as an action-packed blockbuster, pairing two icons — Diaz and Jamie Foxx — on-screen. With such a compelling premise, I was excited to watch it, but unfortunately, I find myself struggling to get through it.

Back in Action follows former CIA spies Emily (Diaz) and Matt (Foxx), who fake their deaths in order to start a family. Years later, their past catches up with them when their secret identities are exposed, putting their two children, Leo (Rylan Jackson) and Alice (McKenna Roberts), at risk.

Like many other film lovers, I enter the movie with high expectations. The star-studded cast — including Glenn Close, Kyle Chandler, Andrew Scott, Fola Evans-Akingbola, and Jamie Demetriou — along with the action-packed sequences promised in the trailer, I was eagerly awaiting the film.

However, it quickly becomes clear that the movie is all action and no satisfaction. 

One of the first issues is the amount of inconsistencies and filming mistakes. At various points in the film, characters will be hugging or looking at each other, only for the next frame to show them far apart, with no explanation or smooth transition.

Similarly, location shifts don’t make sense. One moment, the characters are at a gas station, and the next, they’re in a house in an expansive, untouched area. While I understand the need to move the story forward, these abrupt changes disrupt the flow and make it hard to stay immersed in the world of the film.

While these filming errors aren’t the biggest problem, they still detract from the overall viewing experience. A larger issue is the lack of chemistry between the two leads.

Foxx and Diaz are supposed to portray a couple who are madly in love and living a quiet life raising their children. Yet, I don’t feel any spark or chemistry between them.

Their interactions lack the flirtation and warmth that should characterize a couple deeply in love. Their performances feel disjointed, and it’s hard to shake the sense that they’re not fully engaged in their roles.

Even when they’re interacting with their children, the family dynamic feels off. The parents’ awkwardness makes it seem as though they’ve only just met their kids, despite the supposed years of family life.

While this could be attributed to the secretive past of the parents and the lies they’ve told their children, it still feels unnatural. The lack of a convincing familial bond further weakens the emotional core of the film.

Another factor contributing to the film’s lackluster quality may be the script. The dialogue often feels forced, as it tries too hard to be funny and relatable to Gen Alpha while poking fun at “boomers.”

This attempt at modern humor detracts from the film’s substance and makes it difficult to take the story seriously. A sharper focus on creating a more universal, timeless dialogue would have been a significant improvement.

I have great respect for everyone involved in the film industry, knowing the challenges of bringing a project like this to life. However, at what point do we stop chasing trends and focus on creating work that resonates with audiences for years to come?

Back in Action feels more concerned with trying to be “cool” and “trendy” than in delivering a film that stands the test of time.

On a more positive note, the film features a stellar soundtrack with hits like “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole, “Push It” by Salt-N-Pepa, “At Last” by Etta James, and “Crazy” by Doechii.

Additionally, the stunts and action sequences are well-executed and add a dynamic element to the film, showcasing some thrilling moments.

Unfortunately for Netflix, Back in Action becomes just another film in their roster of action movie attempts. Despite the excitement around Diaz’s return to the screen, the film struggles to make an impact and fails to live up to its potential.

It’s a missed opportunity, and I can’t help but feel disappointed, knowing how much promise it had given the hype leading up to its release.

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What did you think of Back in Action? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Back in Action is available to stream on Netflix.

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