Film review: back in action (2025)

After seeing Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx on The Graham Norton Show promoting their new film “Back in Action” I was reluctant to watch it as they came across as pure doses. They dominated the conversation with Michelle Yeoh and Jonathan Bailey. I really wanted to hear from Michelle about her incredible career and Jonathan’s latest work but any conversation that they tried to have was over powered by Diaz and Foxx.

However, I let curiosity get the better of me on Saturday night when I watched “Back in Action”. I had seen critic reviews before watching the film and at the time of watching I think the Rotten Tomatoes score was around 21% (at time of writing this was 25%) so not great but sometimes those ones can be funny and an easy watch so I give it a go.

The premise of “Back in Action” is two super spies are undercover and Diaz’s character learns that she is pregnant. After a failed mission where they were set up and involved in a plane crash they decided to leave “the life” and start a new one away from the CIA. I’d like to point out at the beginning of the film the CGI and the special effects were some of the worst I’ve seen in a long time.

To make matters worse, Cameron Diaz has been retirement for 10 years and she came out of this long break as Jamie Foxx apparently encouraged her to get involved with this “incredible script”. I just don’t know why it warranted her to come out, it’s really predictable and quite ChatGPT-esque. My friend compared the plot line to “Spy Kids” which I totally get.

I actually got so bored during the first 60 minutes that I missed most of the action. I couldn’t even believe that there was an hour left but nevertheless we made it to the end. I actually think that they have set it up for a sequel as a reference was made to Diaz’s character’s father needing help. Let’s hope that never happens because this was not good. Cameron Diaz, if you’re reading this, please come out of retirement for what we all want, a sequel to The Holiday.