As and adult, I enjoyed this film! Fun, action, humor, surreal adventure! While I would have totally dug this as a tween, it's mildly rough and sweary for a little kids Christmas film. If you’re very careful about not mixing your tots with fighting films, you might want to skip it. If however, your kids are already seeing life forms get beat unconscious on screen and can tolerate a potty mouth or two - then see this one! At least it has a positive message. RED ONE is bold to include hard hits, tough language and a seriously relevant theme in a Christmas film. The director takes the time to explicitly state its theme more than once throughout the film. And I’ll state it yet another time here: Every Choice is an Opportunity to be Good … or Not.

The critics were clearly not impressed, but I found it clever and even daring. Evans is perfectly likable as you root for him to turn on his heart light (though this is a classic Owen Wilson role). And the Rock is rock solid as always. Love the choice of JK Simmons for a lean trim Santa in red leather. If you like the original Willy Wanka and even Wizard of OZ, seeming kids films that have a mature edge to them …. give the red one a go.

Sadly, some of the CGI is B-movie material, though I did find the reindeer quite magical. I'm tempted rate an A, but alas, those subpar FX hold it back a bit. Still, great score, love the satirical mix of military march and holiday carol, and a warm relevant (even sort of brave) message.