Movie Review: Star-studded 'Red' worth watching twice

“Red”

Directed by: Robert Schwentke
Starring: Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Karl Urban, Mary-Louise Parker, Brian Cox, Julian McMahon, Richard Dreyfuss, Ernest Borgnine, Rebecca Pidgeon
Rated: PG-13

Take a look at the cast list above. “Star-studded” is all that comes to mind. While some of these folks have been in a bad movie here and there, they are all A-list actors who have done mostly top-notch work. Short of a huge budget, the only way to get a cast like this together is by having a decent script and a good director.

“Red” isn't going to win any Oscars, but it's a clever, fun and well-made film with a cast that is obviously enjoying the work.

The term “Red” is an acronym for “Retired. Extremely dangerous.”

The retiree in question is Frank Morse, played by Bruce Willis. He's an ex-CIA assassin who is having a phone-flirt relationship with the woman who takes care of the problems he's having (and causing) with his pension checks. That woman is Sarah Ross, played by Mary-Louise Parker, on hiatus from her pot-dealing suburbanite role on Showtime's wicked weed comedy, “Weeds.”

She and Willis have great chemistry, despite the fact that one of the first things Frank does in the film is kidnap Sarah. It's out of necessity. Some old business has resurfaced and certain powers that be want Frank, and people who know him, dead.

It seems Frank knows too much about an ugly incident in the past that concerns a high placed government official - the vice-president who is running for president.

To protect himself - and to show his would-be assassins what he's made of - Frank assembles a team of old friends from his heyday in the CIA.

And quite a team it is.

Joe Matheson (Freeman) is 80 but can still handle the job. Marvin Boggs (Malkovich) is quite paranoid but has reason to be. Ivan Simanov (Cox) is a former KGB agent who delights in the chance to help out his former “enemies” now that the Cold War is over.

But the secret weapon - in more ways than one - is former MI6 agent Victoria. There aren't many actresses who exude more class than Mirren, and seeing her wielding every kind of firearm - including a big, bad machine gun - is a delight.

Her performance makes “Red” worth the price of the ticket.

The film has the feel of Clint Eastwood's “Space Cowboys” and Sylvester Stallone's “The Expendables.” It's aimed at an aging demographic who believes that 60 is the new 30. Every main character here seems bound and determined to prove the point.

The supporting cast is equally enthusiastic and adds a lot of fun. Rebecca Pidgeon, an actress who doesn't take nearly enough roles and is always engaging, is wickedly demure as the CIA boss running the operation to get rid of Frank. Richard Dreyfuss and Ernest Borgnine have small, but well-acted roles, as well.

“Red” is a fun film that crosses a number of genres. It's a romantic comedy. It's an action movie. It's a thriller.

Like so many fast paced, tongue-in-cheek films these days, “Red” is based on a series of graphic novels (written by Warren Ellis and published in 2003). It was adapted for the screen by Erich & Jon Hoeber.

With its A-list cast - and all members giving their all - it's a fun film that is sure to have “legs.” It will be as popular on DVD as it is in its first run at the theater.[[In-content Ad]]