Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber
Starring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot and Ritu Arya

This third collaboration between writer & director Rawson Marshall Thurber and lead actor Dwayne Johnson after Central Intelligence and Skyscraper has a budget of $200 million; the largest yet for a Netflix feature film and has fortunately experienced the best debut of any Netflix original film in the company’s history. 

Undoubtedly, star power in Red Notice both comprises a decent chunk of that big budget and contributes heavily towards its roaring success. You know what to expect from each of the three leads and they not only consistently deliver to expectations but work together supremely. Rawson Marshall Thurber supplies Ryan Reynolds with an abundance of witty dialogue that he cheekily disperses in his typically endearing manner; most of which in playfully bickering chit-chat with Dwayne Johnson. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s charisma and mainstream popularity and appeal is as guaranteed for audiences as it is bankable for the production studios while Gal Gadot’s exuding of confidence and strength is as prevalent as her beauty is striking. 

They each play major parts in this jet-setting, globe-trotting action-adventure that spins a fictional story from Cleopatra’s forbidden love with Mark Anthony involving three bejewelled eggs that belonged to Cleopatra; one of which is about to be stolen by renowned art thief Nolan Booth (Reynolds) from a Museum in Rome. Making his best efforts to stop him is FBI Special Agent John Hartley (Johnson), who is also tracking the unknown whereabouts of the third egg that someone known only as The Bishop (Gadot) also has her sights set on. 

Writing of the dialogue is certainly a strength of this movie, however it isn’t a sharply written heist movie. There are some plot holes that remain by the end of it and it’s fair to say that many things do transpire rather easily and conveniently too. Visual execution gets a tick, even though Red Notice’s CGI is extremely obvious at times. But aside from its star power, their chemistry and Ryan Reynolds’ dialogue, the film’s pacing never lags, and it boasts a really fine finish that warmly invites a sequel. 

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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