Red (2010)

Dir Robert Schwentke

Written by Joh Hoeber, Erich Hoeber (based on DC Comics RED)

Bruce Willis, Mary Louise Parker, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Karl Urban, Brian Cox, Richard Dreyfus, Julian McMahon, Ernest Borgnine, James Remar, Rebecca Pidgeon.

Frank Moses (Willis) is a retired, extremely dangerous (R.E.D), CIA black ops agent, who enjoys his phone chats with Sarah (Parker) who works at the call centre of his pension plan company. When he discovers a hit has been put on him, he must go find Sarah as she too is now a target – to discover who is after him and why.

As his investigation grows, he is joined by some of his old allies, including Freeman, Malkovich etc, who soon find themselves on a ‘list’ of individuals from a years ago mission, and one by one the people on the list are being taken out.

Pretty fun action black comedy, from German director Schwentke, has some intensely over the top action sequences that are completely far-fetched. The thing about the absurdity of the action is, it is so fun to watch, and the film never takes itself overly serious that you don’t mind. The choreorograph is also very impressive, with some great use of 360° shots, and pan shots.

The cast all do a stellar job, with Willis in his prime (prior to his health issues), and Parker (who was in the middle of her Weeds run) having good chemistry together. Well established cast members who would usually do more mature roles (Malkovich and Mirren especially) are having fun as the accustomed to action characters.

There is also a fun score from Christophe Beck, and a soundtrack that complements the many cities in which the characters visit throughout the film.

A good fun film, that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Followed by a sequel in 2013.

3.5/5