Reel Review: Back In Action Is A Fun Action Comedy For The Whole Family
Cameron Diaz returns to the silver screen with Jamie Foxx in Back In Action. The two play Emily and Matt, ex CIA spies who go off the grid to raise a family. However, completely disappearing is not that easy. 15 years after faking their deaths in an accidental plane crash, the couple lives in a suburban home with two kids, one of which is a teenage daughter who can’t stand Emily.
When their location is compromised, their old boss Chuck (played by Kyle Chandler) warns them that they must go on the run before their enemies find them. Clearly they don’t have much time to do this, because Chuck is shot right then. Diaz and Foxx are then sent on a hectic mission to protect their children—and secure a hidden key that controls the entire world’s electricity. So, not your average Tuesday.
The film is an action-packed ride that leans into Foxx and Diaz’s comedic timing, and their knack for fight choreography. This is Diaz’s first film since 2014, and she didn’t miss a beat. The Charlie’s Angels star proves she can still kick butt, and is as charming as ever. She and Foxx perfectly balance the hardcore nature of spies with a suburban helicopter parent lifestyle.
A hilarious addition to the film is Glenn Close—a British Glenn Close— playing Emily’s estranged mother, who is also an ex spy. At the heart of this film is the love between parents and their children—especially the bond between mother and daughter. The entire film, Emily tries her best to connect with her daughter, but in normal teenage girl form, she wants nothing to do with Emily. This internal conflict is mirrored through Diaz and Close’s estranged relationship as well.
While some plot twists seemed easy to catch, that didn’t negate the wild, chaotic fun of this film from start to finish. Surprisingly, this film felt too short! Luckily, the film clearly ends hinting at a sequel. With the mention of Diaz’s estranged father, who is also seemingly a spy, the stage is set for Diaz and Foxx to spring back into action for an exciting sequel.
Back in Action is now streaming on Netflix.
