Watching Back in Action feels like playing a Bingo game for streaming original action comedies. You’ve got all the usual squares: big-name stars who are no longer in high demand? Check. A director with just enough name recognition from one or two hits? Check. A generic, “modern”-sounding score? Check. A surprise cameo from a capital-A actor that makes you wonder why they’re in this, only to remember they haven’t been in anything good for years? Bingo! It’s the same formula we’ve seen in The Union, Ghosted, The Gray Man, and so many others, movies churned out on streaming platforms that will place on their Top 10 lists, then disappear and never be heard about again.
Back in Action isn’t the worst example of the genre, but the only element that sets it apart from the typical Netflix action-comedy is Cameron Diaz’s return after a decade away from the screen. She and Jamie Foxx share good chemistry, and their dynamic makes the film enjoyable enough. While Diaz offers a performance that isn’t much different from what she did before, her charm and energy still make her fun to watch.
The movie also functions as a decent piece of comfort food. It’s not as painful as The Union, and while the jokes don’t always land, they’re not overly cringe-worthy either. The action scenes, though not particularly memorable, are competent and keep things moving at a steady pace. It’s the kind of film that can fill the background while you’re doing something else, without demanding too much attention.
The story, in some ways, echoes Spy Kids (albeit with less charm and whimsy): a family-driven plot where parents leave behind their spy careers to focus on raising their kids, only for their past to resurface, leading the children to uncover their secret lives. Unlike Spy Kids, however, the kids don’t get to join in or become spies themselves. Instead, the film leans on the typical Netflix action-comedy formula: McGuffins, predictable twists, and workmanlike fight sequences. It’s formulaic but manages to be a decent way to pass the time.
Unless you’re particularly curious about how Cameron Diaz has aged over the past decade (spoiler: she hasn’t changed a bit), you might find it more rewarding to revisit The Mask. It’s funnier, livelier, and offers a better snapshot of Diaz at her best.