2010’s “Red” grossed close to $200 million worldwide and was nominated for the Best Comedy Golden Globe. The premise was good: an action comedy, comic-book adaptation about CIA agents who come out of retirement in order to take down some bad guys. Unfortunately, the action wasn’t very exciting and it was way too serious for a comedy. However, “Red 2” gets it right. This is a lot more fun and exciting thanks to a great ensemble cast and a much stronger script.
Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) is tracked-down by old partner Marvin (John Malkovich), where else but at a Costco, where Frank is buying-up the store for his new role as the perfect suburban homeowner. But there’s a problem: The two “retired” agents have been identified online as being part of a secret mission to sneak a nuclear weapon into Russia during the Cold War. And suddenly, everyone is after them. So, like it or not, Frank is forced back into the game. One person who likes it is Frank’s girlfriend Sarah (Mary Louise Parker), who thinks their life since Frank stopped killing people for a living is boring. Frank wants to keep Sarah out of danger, but that won’t be easy – and this becomes one of “Red 2″‘s nice running jokes.
Frank and Marvin are innocent, but it’s either kill or be killed. And everyone wants them dead. Former ally Victoria (Helen Mirren) gets a contract to knock them off, as does martial arts expert Han (Lee Byung-hun), who Frank double-crossed back in the day. So Frank, Marvin and Sarah are forced to travel the world and avoid the hired assassins while trying to clear their names. Along the way they encounter Frank’s old girlfriend Miranda (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and the mastermind behind the mysterious weapon (played by Sir Anthony Hopkins).
“Red 2” starts a little slow with the Costco scene (which I saw way too many times in the trailer), followed by Marvin’s funeral in which Frank cries while giving a speech, even though he knows (and we know) that Marvin is actually alive. But thankfully things soon pick up, and the film really kicks-in as more and more characters join the fun. Both Zeta-Jones and Hopkins (who does a loose, comedic rendition of Hannibal Lector) are great additions to the cast. And at one point Mirren disguises herself as a ditsy version of the Queen of England. Anything goes in “Red 2”, and most of it works.
This movie series is based on a DC comic, and the comic book drawings used as transitions through the film help enhance the style. Much like the original, “Red 2” is quite violent. And also as in the original a main character is killed off (you’ll remember Morgan Freeman’s character died in “Red”). Credit to filmmakers for not being afraid to go down that road. But “Red 2” is a major improvement over the first film in a lot of ways. First and foremost there’s a perfect balance of action and humor. Malkovich is great with the wisecracks, Louise-Parker is very likeable, and I’m pleased to report that Willis didn’t phone in this performance.
“Red 2” is rated PG-13 for some graphic action/violence and adult language. It’s appropriate for teens and up. It’s predictable at times, but enjoyable throughout and was one of summer 2013’s pleasant surprises.
On The Official LCJ Report Card, “Red 2” gets a B.