Netflix’s Back in Action is the whimsical tale of a super spy couple who leave behind their thrilling lives of espionage when an unexpected pregnancy steers them toward parenthood, swapping high-stakes missions for soccer games. However, when they’re called back into their former cloak-and-dagger world, their antics raise the question: will they risk their family — and will their adventures draw audiences to Netflix?
Directed by Seth Gordon (Horrible Bosses, Four Christmases), secret agents Emily and Matt (Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx) were at the top of their field, but when Emily discovers she is pregnant, the two retire from the game. Now 15 years later, Emily finds herself venting to her Alexa as the former special ops find it harder and harder to hide their true nature from their family. After a public dispute earns them YouTube infamy, former adversaries come out to the woodwork to settle old scores, sending the entire family on the run.
Back in Action pulls from the Mission: Impossible playbook, filling its runtime with high-octane set pieces filmgoers have come to expect from the average spy thriller, including plane crashes in snowy mountains, a fiery showdown at a gas station, and the occasional high-speed chase scene. It meshes a family comedy with an action spectacular wrapped in a spy story featuring a highly-anticipated return of Hollywood A-lister Cameron Diaz to the big screen (well, the streaming screen). However, the film falls short of its intentions by hitting the same tropes again and again, like the steady pace of a drumbeat.
Back in Action isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel. In fact, in the last few decades, the premise of a milquetoast parental figure concealing a past (or present) life as a butt-kicking intelligence agent has become a well-worn trope. Films like True Lies, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, The Spy Next Door, Nobody, and The Family Plan have all explored this concept quite thoroughly. And in some cases, better.
With its predictable storyline offering little support, much of the charm of Back in Action relies on its cast, particularly Diaz. Nearly a decade after her last appearance, Diaz reunites with her Any Given Sunday and Annie co-star Foxx. Perhaps best known for the comedy and charisma she brought to comedies, Diaz channels that same energy into her role as Emily. Her undeniable charm breathes life into the otherwise formulaic spy comedy, lifting it above the risk of becoming a bore.
And much of the ensemble helps boost Back in Action beyond its uninspired plot points. Glenn Close, Andrew Scott and Kyle Chandler add significant appeal in supporting roles, injecting enough allure to prevent the comedy from sinking into a void of routine clichés.
Back in Action somewhat succeeds in highlighting the charm and wit that once made Diaz a box office sensation. While it may not captivate die-hard action fans, it provides a lighthearted, family-friendly adventure that might capture the attention of fans of the core cast and folks in need of a breezy comedy, as well as chardonnay moms and their adventure-seeking progeny.
“Back in Action” is available to stream on Netflix now.
