For their final mission, Emily and Matt assumed the identity of an arm-dealing couple to steal an encryption-hacking device very much like the \u201cOz Key\u201d in Citadel<\/strong> (but that was Prime series, so it cannot be the same McGuffin). They complete the operation fairly easily, but the getaway takes a dicey turn. However, the resulting plane crash allows them to disappear, presumed dead by the CIA and the rest of the world.<\/p>\r\n
Fifteen years later, the former spies live comfortably in suburbia, where they raise their teen daughter Alice and pre-teen son Leo. Then one fateful morning, Chuck, their former handler at the Agency, knocks on their door to warn them the bad guys found them.![\"Back](\"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Back-in-Action1.png\")
\u00a9Courtesy of Netflix\u00a0
Of course, they are looking for the dangerous gadget Emily assumed was lost in the crash. Unbeknownst to her, Matt\u2019s stealthy fingers held onto to it. Anticipating a future need for bargaining leverage, he secretly hid it somewhere safe. Much to Emily\u2019s chagrin, that means an unplanned visit to the English country estate owned by her estranged mother Ginny, another former spy enjoying a more conventional retirement.
The kids never met her. Frankly, Emily never even mentioned her. Of course, the parents also kept mum regarding their cloak-and-dagger past, so they must hold some awkward conversations with their confused kids.<\/p>\r\n
<\/ins>\u00a0 \u00a9Courtesy of Netflix\u00a0<\/p>\r\n Indeed, they both look good for their still youthful Gen X ages, which gives them credibility in their many action scenes. However, they really shine bantering affectionately together. As a result, they look and sound like a couple that is still going strong, despite the day-to-day challenges of parenting and a rather exceptional crisis. Based on their comedic rapport, fans will hope Foxx continues to lure Diaz out of retirement every few years. However, Jamie Demetriou\u2019s lays on the slapstick goofiness much too thickly as Ginny\u2019s clueless wannabe-spy \u201ccompanion,\u201d Nigel. As a bonus, the kids, McKenna Roberts and Rylan Jackson, impressive with their charismatic screen presences. Admittedly, they can be annoying, but they are kids. That\u2019s their job. \u00a9Courtesy of Netflix\u00a0 If you like the review, share your thoughts below!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\r\n
Back in Action<\/strong> is an upbeat comedy that nearly became a tragedy. Production had yet to wrap when Jamie Foxx<\/a> was hospitalized with what he later revealed was a very serious stroke. Even though Gordon finished the shoot with body doubles, there are no conspicuous holes or seams. It all flows quite smoothly.
The fitting title also heralds Cameron Diaz<\/a>\u2019s return to film after her retirement following the 2014 release of Annie<\/strong>, also starring Foxx. This is only their third film together (starting with Any Given Sunday<\/strong>), so fans might not yet think of them as another Tracy and Hepburn, but they share an appealingly relaxed rapport throughout their latest collaboration.<\/p>\r\n![\"Back](\"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Back-in-Action4.png\")
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As Grandma Ginny, Glenn Close sounds like she is having a jolly good time delivering her sly, tart-tongued dialogue. Andrew Scott plays Baron, the British agent who may or may not have betrayed the couple, with a surprisingly hard edge, while still expressing that mordant, bone-dry British wit. Kyle Chandler and Fola Evans-Akingbola (from The Night Agent<\/strong>) nicely help flesh out the murky espionage world playing Chuck and Baron\u2019s partner, Wendy.<\/p>\r\n<\/ins>\r\n
Clearly, Back in Action<\/strong> was intended as light entertainment and it succeeds as such. Gordon and co-screenwriter Brendan O\u2019Brien scrupulously avoid deep issues and heavy drama, but they wrote much smarter dialogue than that of Apple TV+\u2019s thematically similar The Family Plan<\/strong> (starring Mark Wahlberg as a former assassin passing for an Average Joe dad). They also earn credit for depicting a marriage that starts healthy and stays healthy, for a refreshing change. Recommended as easy-going, generally family-friendly entertainment (a relatively mild PG-13), Back in Action<\/strong> premieres tomorrow (1\/17) on Netflix.<\/p>\r\n![\"Back](\"https:\/\/cinemadailyus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Back-in-Action5.png\")
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Grade: B-<\/p>\r\n