Review: Red

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What could make audiences flock to a movie that rehashes plots from True Lies, The Whole Nine Yards, Mrs. and Mrs. Smith, and a dash of Space Cowboys just to name a few?  In the cast of Red, an all-star cast clearly in it for the fun of it.

Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) is a retired CIA operative who's so incapable of adjusting to the quiet life. His only real relationship is with Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker), a pension-fund agent at a call center in another state, who talks romance books with him. When his past life catches up with him, Frank runs for the help of his old friends, including Joe (Morgan Freeman) and the less-than-stable Marvin (John Malkovich). Their search for the truth leads them halfway around the country, chasing a conspiracy and shooting up several cities east of the Mississippi.

Chasing them around the country is CIA operative William Cooper (Karl Urban), who does his job so well he can multitask a grocery list while carrying out an assignment. When Cooper eventually finds out his targets are designated RED -- Retired Extremely Dangerous -- it's clear that more is behind his assignment than a simple kill order. And the longer Frank is on the run, the more he gets reacquainted with people from his past, using all their unique skills to uncover the truth.

Don't look too closely at the story or the means by which our deadly protagonists search for the truth, as it would unravel quickly. But Red has no ambitions to be logical or realistic, from the plot to the effects. This is pure adrenaline-charged action with a cast that rarely gets to have as much fun onscreen as they do in Red.

Based on a graphic novel by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner and adapted by Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber (Whiteout), Red is satisfied with being a straightforward actioner with a twist elevated by its prestigous cast, sly sense of humor, and its heart.  Director Robert Schwentke (The Time Traveler's Wife, Flightplan) uses the actors well and takes advantage of strategic editing to drive the story where it might otherwise flounder. 

A better cast couldn't be found, as each actor's mere presence makes Red worth the ticket price. While they're given storylines to make their characters more interesting, there is only enough to keep the audience interested in the characters' fates. With a lesser cast, Red would not be half as entertaining. Willis is typical action-hero Willis, and as his love interest, Parker uses her pouty snark powers for good. Malkovich gets to be sillier than normal, and Freeman is his usual subtly charming self. It's as if they're all taking a working vacation, just enjoying themselves doing what they do best.

While everyone onscreen looks to be enjoying themselves, the one having the most fun is the always-riveting Helen Mirren as Victoria, who leaves her quaint manor house with its roses and tea cakes to help her friends. Mirren is still as sexy as she ever was,  is something to see utilizing an extensive arsenal to provide backup, and her subplot is absolutely charming. Of all the actors, Urban is the only one who gets to stretch onscreen. Not that he hasn't had opportunities to be the calculating assassin or odd man out, but for American audiences, this is his first role to have more than two dimensions, arguably save Bones on Star Trek

Red would have been a welcome relief to a rather tepid summer for studio fare. As the weather turns cooler and awards contenders come out of the woodwork, Red is a welcome relief from the gravitas. I only wish Mirren wore red in Red.