The megastar is back with his first movie in 10 years, and it’s already Netflix’s biggest new hit

Pa Jonathan Klotz
| Published 12 seconds ago

Cameron Diaz has finally returned to the movies, ending her 10-year hiatus from acting, and it’s easy to forget that she left at the top as one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. In a world where stars and athletes tend to hang around too long, it’s commendable that Diaz decided to take her money, invest in a business she believed in, and choose to live the life she wanted. But now she’s back together with one of her best friends, Jamie Foxx back in action a Netflix action comedy that, if not for Diaz, could be completely forgotten.

Cameron Diaz is back

Back in action will be lost in the midst of the sea Netflix originals without further attention due to the return of Diaz. While Matt and Emily married ex-spies who raise children under fake IDs, Foxx and Diaz shine as what they essentially Mr. and Mrs. Smith if they had a healthy relationship. After a demonstration in a nightclub, the pair are exposed, and it begins a race to restore the Industrial Control System (or ICS, which remains an interesting way of spelling “MacGuffin”) while keeping their children safe.

The pair are joined by the always wonderful Kyle Chandler and Glenn Close, which isn’t a rip-off of her character from Red but may be just as successful, as she has once again acquired a sniper rifle and a license to kill. Surprisingly, the cast isn’t filled from top to bottom with A-list stars, but given how Back in Action ends, it’s clear that Netflix already has plans for a sequel. Whether that’s a good thing or not depends entirely on how you feel about old-school comedies.

Cameron Diaz is still a star

Back in action suffers from being a Netflix movie, with the same standard awkward lighting in every scene and the need for the characters to actively talk about what they’re doing in case someone isn’t actually watching the movie but turning it on as background noise. Compared to Red alertthe streamer’s other stellar spy adventure, Fox and Diaz’s caper is easily outdone, but just as pompous and inconsequential. The stakes don’t carry any weight, and everyone might be winking at the camera while spouting silly technobabble about ICS, but since the film has been number one since its debut, it’s clear it’s found an audience.

Holding the top spot as Netflix’s most watched movie since its debut, Back in action unoriginal, filled with barely defined characters, the flimsiest of villain motivations, cheap-looking special effects, and yet it’s a total blast. It looks like Rush Hour Trilogy. in that the charm and star power of the leads elevates the rest of the film. Cameron Diaz has not lost a step and at the age of 52 she could play a second act in Hollywood, as successful as the first.

If this came out 10 years ago, Back in action would have been in theaters, but during Diaz’s hiatus, the entertainment landscape has changed, and Netflix originals have the budgets and star power of major theaters. Most movie buffs will agree that this isn’t a change for the better, and as fun as it is to see Cameron Diaz again, you can’t help but wonder if we missed something special. Then again, 46.8 million people have already watched the movie on Netflix, so despite the lackluster release, it’s still a huge success.

You can judge for yourself and Enjoy some good old fashioned action comedy streaming Back in action today on Netflix.