The mega star's return with his first film in 10 years is already Netflix's biggest new hit

The author Jonathan Klotz
| Published 1 hour ago

Cameron Diaz has finally returned to film, ending her 10-year hiatus from acting, and it's easy to forget that she walked away as one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. In a world where it's common for stars and athletes to hang around too long, it's commendable that Diaz decided to take her money, invest in a business she believed in, and choose to live the life she wants. But now she's back with one of her best friends, Jamie Foxx Back in action, A Netflix action comedy that would be completely forgettable if not for Diaz.

Cameron Diaz is back

Back in action get lost in the sea Netflix originals with no additional attention from Diaz's return. As Matt and Emily marry ex-spies who live under false identities while raising children, Foxx and Diaz essentially sparkle. Mr. and Mrs. Smith if they had a healthy relationship. After a night club showdown, the couple's cover is blown, and it's a race to recover the Industrial Control System (or ICS, which is still a fun way to spell “Mcguffin”) while protecting their children.

The pair are joined by the ever-delightful Kyle Chandler and Glenn Close in no reprisal for her character from Red but it might as well be that she's been given a sniper rifle and a license to kill again. Surprisingly, the cast isn't stacked with A-list stars from top to bottom, but given how Back in Action ends, it's clear that Netflix already has plans for a sequel. Whether it's good or not depends entirely on how you feel about old-school action comedies.

Cameron Diaz is still a star

Back in action suffers from being a Netflix movie, with the same standard awkward lighting in every scene and the need for the characters to actively talk about what they're doing when someone isn't actually watching the movie but is on as background noise. Compared to Red noticethe streamer's other star-studded spy adventure, the Foxx and Diaz caper is easily superior, but just as fluffy and inconsequential. The stakes don't matter, and anyone might as well be winking at the camera while delivering silly techno-babble lines about ICS, but since the film has been number one since its debut, it's clear that it has found an audience.

Holding the top spot as Netflix's most popular movie since its debut, Back in action is unoriginal, filled with barely sketched characters, the weakest villain motivations, cheap looking special effects, and yet it's an absolute blast. It is similar Rush Hour Trilogy as the charm and star power of the leads elevates the rest of the film. Cameron Diaz hasn't lost a step, and at 52, her second act in Hollywood could be just as successful as her first.

If it came out 10 years ago, Back in action would have been in theaters, but the entertainment landscape changed during Diaz's hiatus, and Netflix originals have the same big budgets and star power as major theaters. Most movie fans will agree that this isn't a change for the better, and as fun as it is to see Cameron Diaz again, you can't help but wonder if we've missed something special. Plus, 46.8 million people have already watched the film on Netflix, so despite the lackluster release, it's still a huge success.

You can judge for yourself and enjoy a good old fashioned action comedy by streaming Back in action today on Netflix.