"Back in Action," "Celebrity," and "The Killer": Brief and Not-So-Brief Opinions: Part 12

Celebrity (Netflix), The Killer (Netflix), and Back in Action (Netflix).

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The 'brief and not-so-brief opinions' articles are my outlet to rant about or appreciate movies, shows and their elements. I will express my thoughts while watching and after or only after watching, it depends. I will not be rating. These are not spoiler-free for the most part, and no research will be made for or about them (unless it's out of curiosity or accidental, which would be mentioned). They are in no particular order of recent watching as well. However, the opinions are based on the order in which the movie or series is viewed (for the most part). This wouldn't be as structured or detailed, and there would be no set number of picks per article. It would be just as things go. It is intended to be casual. So think…conversations about movie plots, characters, topics, or something like that.

If you like this, you can read more of my articles from my account or subscribe to me to stay updated when each is published. Feel free to comment with your opinions as well.

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Back in Action(2025)

In Netflix's Back in Action, Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx are good parents, or they try to be. I was excited about this movie once news about it came out in February 2024, before watching the January 2025 release. It was an okay watch. When I watched the 2024 movie Role Play, I felt that the mother, being a spy, should teach her civilian husband and children signs or simple moves to prevent or be aware of danger, which is also evident in Back in Action.

However, in this movie, where both parents were spies and their children are older and more aware than in Role Play, it serves as a disadvantage during this dangerous point in their lives. However, Leo's intellect and abilities are helpful and highlighted, making the viewer and I look forward to a sequel focused on him rather than the movie being watched.

The Killer (2023)

The boring, intense, and busy days of an assassin are portrayed through Michael Fassbender's character in The Killer. Viewing the different aspects of the killer's life and mindset through these chronological scenes with bursts of action is interesting, as he struggles to maintain professionalism after a personal attack. I enjoyed this far more than I thought I would. It is interesting, and his narration, despite being repetitive, serves as the anchor. 

I was happy he knew when to give up after steadily becoming more emotional. I hated how correct he was about his mantra to not give in to his emotions, especially when I hoped he would consider freeing people before it was revealed that they planned to attack him as well, proving his point to trust no one, but I still feel like he could have let the cab driver go.

Celebrity (2023)

Celebrity explores the ruthless, hypocritical, and beneficial power of social media between influencers and their followers. It is informative and entertaining as it challenges the viewer to question their online capacity and involvement while showcasing the good and bad aspects of having a virtual presence. Quite frankly, I loved the Seo A-ri character for her iconic bob and confidence. I was always so proud of her and her moments despite her trials. Her determination is aspirational, especially when she triumphed over so much with the help of _bbbfamous and others. The _bbbfamous character reveal was realistic as someone silent and working for them, gathering the information she shared with A-ri. Although, I considered Yoon Si-hyeon's assistant, who once asked Si-hyeon if she felt bad for her spoiled chaebol (generationally wealthy family) and influencer sister-in-law, Jin Chae-hee. 

Also, it was ironic that A-ri wore Si-hyeon's special dress to meet Si-hyeon's ex and A-ri's new love, Jun-kyoung. To be honest, I didn't like their relationship that much. I barely felt the love in it, at least not mutually. Jun-kyoung was captivated by her and obsessed with her, which was interesting to see. However, I only felt she cared about him when his accident happened, and I still thought that might have been because another person associated with her was at risk of losing their life. Also, I liked the Oh Min-hye character. She was calculating and determined, a great villain to A-ri's character as they worked the frenemy angle for a while. I truly appreciated the frame change that shows the time shifts between past and present in the story. It's simple but highly valuable as it enhances the viewing experience instead of requiring the viewer to decipher the differences between the past and present, which could often be complicated. I enjoyed this series, and I feel it's a must-watch - one of those things everyone should watch at least once.

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