Movie Review: RED

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My wife and I decided to entertain ourselves today and go see Red at our local theater. Aside from staff who are mostly half asleep and as my mother always says “born without a hurry”, not to mention that we have better sound and picture at home (and no spitballs on our LED tv either).

But none of that is Bruce Willis’ fault. Or Morgan Freeman’s. Speaking of Mr. Freeman (who is rude in person according to someone I know who has met him), he must have done his entire role for the movie in about 15 minutes. Because that’s about all he’s in here for.

Bruce Willis really stole the show, and has some acting chops, particularly if you go back and watch Moonlighting or Die Hard 1 for perspective. Willis is the focus of this story, playing the part of a retired CIA Spook. All the headliners are in the same boat as Willis’ character, considered R.E.D. (Retired, Extremely Dangerous, for the uninitiated).

The story centers around the Vice President setting a bunch or R.E.D.’s up for contract killing, and of course the R.E.D.’s showing the younger hotshots how to “kick it old school”. The story is well done and not nearly as cliché as you’d think.

The reason for this is that a legend of the comic book world originally wrote RED some time ago. Warren Ellis is the latest comic scribe to have his works revered by Hollywood (although this reverence is not universal- to wit, Frank Miller’s adaptation of The Spirit).

Making a surprise appearance is Ernest Borgnine, who plays the keeper of records for the CIA, sequestered in a little known vault at headquarters.

Another surprise appearance is made by Oscar winner Richard Dreyfuss, who plays the real big bad in this tale of intrigue and espionage.

A well orchestrated sequence of moves allows our heroes (now including John Malkovich and Helen Mirren) to emerge victorious. Mary-Louise Parker makes a forgettable appearance as the love interest of our protagonist. If you’ve seen her character in Weeds, you’ve seen her apparent acting range.

Despite disparate talents, this movie never feels like it’s too long or that the award winning cast is in any way slumming.