Movie Review: Red

When someone proposes a story that has Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman and John Malkovich playing ex-CIA operatives out to cause havoc while trying to find their would-be assassins, it doesn't take a genius to say, "Sign me up!" These are all incredibly talented actors on their own, and here they're let loose in a crazy, definitely-came-from-a-comic-book premise. And the whole thing is played for fun. You don't send a kill squad through a suburban city street, firing automatic weapons into a house until it collapses and expect to be taken seriously.

Red doesn't attempt to be serious at any point in time and that is a huge bonus. The action is extremely over-the-top and the comedy is slightly unexpected, which makes it all the more effective. You can tell that everyone involved must've had a blast while making this movie and it carries over for the audience. If someone had tried to make this as a straight thriller it would feel contrived and even a little obscene. Things that would lend it authenticity or realism (people on the run from the government shouldn't use cell phones, right?) get tossed out the window. They have no place in a film like this. Suspension of disbelief is falling short. You need to leave it at the door and maybe forget about it on the way home.

Bruce Willis doesn't seem like the sort of 55 year-old who could retire peacefully after a life of exciting spy work. His daily routine seems to involve going through a set of motions meant to keep him alive but it does little to keep his soul living. The one activity that brings him a hint of enjoyment is calling the Social Security office to complain about not receiving his benefits. He gets to flirt with Mary-Louise Parker and plan a trip to meet her one day. So, how fortunate for him that a hit squad has been sent to kill him, spicing up his life and setting in motion a grand plan of escape and revenge.

The joys of seeing seasoned professionals being good at what they do, and having fun while doing it, is the entire appeal of this movie. Bruce Willis is the flinty tough guy, out to get the girl and clear his name. Helen Mirren is the not-really-retired badass who is frighteningly good at what she does. John Malkovich seems to have at least a few screws loose in his best roles and in this movie he appears to have lost them all. Morgan Freeman plays the best friend with the soothing voice of reason, a role that at this point should just be called "The Freeman". If you like to laugh while watching an action movie, this was made for you. It delivers everything you could want and forgets the essentials that would just slow it down along the way.

Score: 4 out of 5
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