Many times, I consider myself a scammer, but don't get me wrong, since I don't go around wasting precious time trying to scam others, no. During the pleasant experience of deciding what movie or series to watch to broaden my knowledge, I sometimes prioritize titles that sincerely don't deserve it. And I know that they aren't even guilty pleasures, but I also don't know if I watch them for the false expectation of thinking I can redeem something good from what I'm watching or if I subject myself to them out of morbidity. I simply scam myself knowing beforehand that my eyes will witness an audiovisual aberration, and that's how this kind of catharsis regarding the matter started.
In relation to Netflix's new "popular" movies, meaning, the "most-watched" ones according to what the platform's algorithm tells us—or actually, what they are trying to sell us because they know that, otherwise, we would never watch them—the comeback of a beloved blonde actress that escalated in Hollywood like a shooting star in the mid-90s/early 00s stands out. Yes, Cameron Diaz. The one that equally seduced and made us laugh thanks to her stellar performances in movies like The Mask, There's Something About Mary or My Best Friend's Wedding. But let's be honest, she was never a talented actress. Her early success at 22 years old rocketed her to stardom, but Hollywood gives with one hand and takes with the other. Since 2014, the Californian actress hasn't been interested at all in posing on red carpets, answering meaningless questions in interviews or living the whole exposure whirlpool. So, what was the best idea she had? Launch an organic wine brand and be a full-time mother/wife. No one can reproach her about anything, but come back for this?
This peaceful life changed thanks to the amazing script she received from Seth Gordon, a real Hollywood legend who has movies like Horrible Bosses or Baywatch under his belt. Who in their right mind would have said no to such an offer? The most interesting part about this comeback is the support of Jamie Foxx, Diaz' life-long friend who firmly believed in her comeback's potential and, for several years now, has dedicated himself to having a good time on set, nothing more. And Foxx didn't disappoint: he gathered several Netflix executives, convinced them to include her good old friend in an average action film with comic hints, shook hands and left everyone happy. But what is Netflix's new hit Back in Action about? Emily and Matt are two former CIA spies that, after a failed mission, decided to fall off the radar. Everything is okay up until here. They are a couple, but their affectionate relationship isn't convincing at all. Nonetheless, this doesn't prevent us from believing in them. They are Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz, who cares whether they have chemistry or not?
15 years and two teenage children under their parenting wings later, Kyle Chandler, playing the most redundant and unimportant role of his career, visits them one day to warn them that the job they decided to escape from returned to seek revenge. The characters are… how is it said? "Back in action." The plot is packed with unnecessary elements to fill in different plot holes, monotonous from the mere beginning and predictable from every visible corner. Here is where, ironically, the double liar paradox takes action. To explain this paradox, I have the following example:
There's a card that has the following statement on its front: "The sentence on the other side of this card is true." But, on the back of the card, it reads: “The sentence on the other side of this card is false.”
If, as a viewer, I claim that I hate these kinds of movies and then submit myself to watch them, am I lying or just stating a contradictory truth? The thing is that Netflix, unlike all other platforms, knows precisely how to pull the audience in. I'm not here to uncover any secrets, I don't know the formula, but they have an equation that always works. In this case, let's describe it like this:
Hollywood stars + Illogical fast-paced action + x = Success
If there's something positive about Back in Action, that's its self-knowledge. The movie doesn't pretend to be reflexive, remembered, convey any message—in fact, there's a scene in which vegans are gently insulted, which felt quite personal to me—nor tries to reinvent the wheel in any aspect. It's that kind of film that could be easily broadcasted on a television channel on a Sunday afternoon as background noise to let out some innocent laughs—which wasn't my case—while stirring pasta in a pot.
Netflix did it again. I'm a liar. But I just lie to myself.
Posted on FEBRUARY 10, 2024, 15:47 PM | UTC-GMT -3
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