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CIA spies Emily (Cameron Diaz) and Matt (Jamie Foxx) retrieve an Industrial Control Systems Key in Eastern Europe to ensure that America's enemies cannot use the device to disrupt crucial infrastructure. Although they successfully steal the Key from terrorist Balthazar Gor (Robert Besta), their getaway goes awry, with the two narrowly escaping a plane crash. With Emily finding out she is pregnant with Matt's child, they decide to use the crash as an opportunity to disappear, starting new lives away from the agency and letting everyone believe they are dead. Fifteen years later, Emily and Matt have two children together, Alice (McKenna Roberts) and Leo (Rylan Jackson), and they maintain a pleasant, unremarkable suburban existence. However, when a viral video exposes Emily and Matt's location, their former handler, Chuck (Kyle Chandler), quickly finds them and explains that Gor's men are coming after the couple to retrieve the ICS Key. Grabbing the kids and fleeing, the former spies plan to travel to England to visit Emily's mother, Ginny (Glenn Close), while Gor's men relentlessly pursue them. Also on their tale are MI6 agents led by Baron (Andrew Scott), who knew the pair during their CIA days and similarly wants to retrieve the Key.
Although Back in Action is largely predictable and relies on well-worn genre tropes (including a resentful teenage daughter, Hollywoodised high-tech computers, and a powerful MacGuffin), there are a few surprises along the way, and the picture deploys red herrings to nice effect. Fortunately, the dialogue does not merely amount to tone-deaf action-movie speak, as there is a genuine spark of wit to many of the character interactions, and the movie consistently scores easygoing laughs. (However, the scenes with Baron and his MI6 agents are extremely bog-standard). Perhaps Back in Action could have been improved with an R-rated spark to the dialogue, especially since Gordon and O'Brien specialise in adult-oriented comedies, but the flick thankfully never feels unnaturally neutered by the restrictions of its PG-13 rating.
Back in Action is silly and stretches credulity at times, but knowingly so, never asking viewers to accept the proceedings with a straight face. The goofiness even extends to using the combination of Mentos and Diet Coke as a weapon during a vehicular chase. With Gordon eschewing a dark or gritty tone, the flick sometimes feels like an old-fashioned action-comedy from the 1990s or early 2000s, recalling pictures like True Lies, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and the two underrated Charlie's Angels films starring Diaz. Gordon also makes great use of music during the action set pieces to enhance the energy, selecting classic tracks like At Last, Ain't That a Kick in the Head and James Brown's Papa's Got a Brand New Bag while the characters engage in butt-kicking. Admittedly, the picture's prologue features imperfect special effects, including obvious blue-screening and videogame-level CGI, which made this reviewer miss the days of location shooting and practical models. Thankfully, however, most of the action throughout the rest of the picture is more grounded, with competent fight choreography that is actually comprehensible thanks to smooth camerawork and editing.
Returning to acting for the first time since 2014 (when she starred in The Other Woman, Sex Tape, and Annie), Diaz lights up the screen with genuine charm, and she shares terrific chemistry with the equally energetic Foxx, who was determined to convince the actress to take the role. Glenn Close also makes a delightful impression as the smart, savvy, resourceful Ginny, a fun reprieve from the usual mother archetype. Meanwhile, Jamie Demetriou is the film's comedic secret weapon as Ginny's lover, Nigel, who aspires to be an MI6 agent by putting himself through self-devised training regimens. The Stath Lets Flats actor brings immense energy to the picture with his lovable goofiness, scoring belly laughs whenever he appears and never overdoing the schtick. Back in Action gives all the characters a time to shine, with Nigel even getting in on the action during the climax. Other recognisable performers here include Andrew Scott and Kyle Chandler, who are perfectly sufficient, while newcomers McKenna Roberts and Rylan Jackson make a positive impression as Emily and Matt's kids.
A throwback spy caper, Back in Action succeeds because it's an action-comedy that delivers actual humour and fun action. Despite the unoriginal narrative, the movie does not fall victim to the usual flaws associated with such productions - indeed, it is far funnier and more engaging than similar streaming likes like The Family Man and Ghosted. Back in Action ends with a blatant sequel tease, and the prospect of another light-hearted adventure with these characters is surprisingly enticing.
7.2/10
