A brilliant cast of actors, including Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Bruce Willis, and Helen Mirren, surprisingly all expressed interest to participate in this comic book adaptation. Maybe it is not so surprising considering that comic books are the biggest fashion in the film industry of our days. All the icons have already been made and remade and a lot of forgotten “classics” have been rediscovered and brought to the screen as well.

Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker and Robert Schwentke in RED

The plot is rather a cliché. Top CIA agents in possession of many secrets decide to retire and live a normal life. They are still closely watched by their old bosses. A newly appointed boss thinks that this is not enough, and orders the assassination of one of them, Paul Moses, who escapes the danger and realizes that the operation was sanctioned. He brings back together the old gang of agents he used to work with. They are now all in danger and have to leave their retirement homes and B&Bs to protect their lives and have their vengeance on the CIA.

It sounds like it should not work but the cast and comic flair make it work beautifully. The main original twist is the age of the agents, as they are all in the neighborhood of 60-70 years old. They are all fit, sharp and witty. Their experience and sense of comradeship helps them to outwit their enemies. Every time you think them too old, too weird, or too dysfunctional, they demonstrate their brilliance in a light unassuming manner. You start to feel sorry for young Jason Bourne who thought it was all too hard. Probably he took things too seriously.

At some point you catch yourself in the desire to see these wonderful charismatic assassins to kill more people and win in every situation. You even get nostalgic for the good old times when people knew how to kill and did it with style and joy. Why do we have to have so much blood and dirt in our days?

Their chemistry is an example of exceptionally good acting, rarely seen on the screen lately.  These seasoned actors coming together and showing how it is done feels like a parallel to the plot of the film. John Malkovich has his solo moments (as always). He is totally crazy and hysterically funny.

A comic thriller performed by good actors is such a relief for film viewers. People can have simply good time in the cinema without worrying that somebody will start hacking his hand off (for real) or crippling animated characters.

Red [DVD] (DVD)
Actors: Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Mary-Louise Parker
Director: Robert Schwentke
Format: PAL
Language:
Subtitles: English
Studio: Entertainment One
Running Time: 111 minutes

List Price: £19.99
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RED Trailer

RED Stills

Bruce Willis and Robert Schwentke in RED

Helen Mirren and Brian Cox in RED

Bruce Willis, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren in Red

Bruce Willis and Karl Urban in RED