“RETIRED EXTREMELY DANGEROUS”
Starring: Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren,
Karl Urban, Mary-Louise Parker, Brian Cox, Ernest Borgnine and Richard Dreyfuss
Directed by: Robert Schwentke
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action violence and brief strong language
Genre: Action/Thriller, Comedy, Thriller and Graphic Novel
Running Time: 1hr 51min
Distributed by: Summit Pictures
Opens: October 15, 2010
By John Delia
If you can find a funnier action adventure movie than RED from this year’s releases, drop me a note, because I must have missed it. This film has all the power of big name acting, excellent directing and outstanding writers that make danger funny. If you need a comedy thriller fix, scoot on over to a theatre to see RED.
It’s been several years since Frank (Bruce Willis), Joe (Morgan Freeman), Marvin (John Malkovich) and Victoria (Helen Mirren) used to be the CIA’s top agents – but the secrets they know just made them the Agency’s top targets. Now framed for assassination, they must use all of their collective cunning, experience and teamwork to stay one step ahead of their deadly pursuers and stay alive. When they get a lead as to by whom and what reasons the quartet of ex-spies are set up for elimination, they gang together for a reprisal.
The lead actors could not have been cast any better for the roles in this D.C. Comics graphic novel caper. I had a terrific time laughing and enjoying some of the most outlandish situations in which the characters found themselves. Each actor brings his expertise to the film, with Willis doing his best John McClane (Die Hard), Freeman giving us a bit of Sloan (Wanted), Mirren shows us her Rose (Shadowboxer) but with a bit more verve, while Malkovich puts on his Tom Ripley (Ripley’s Game) mask, a little more paranoid, and with a lighter side to his ‘killing machine’.
Directing here by Schwentke is perfect with great pacing, comedic timing and a strong hand that keeps his A List actors on their mark. One of his best scenes involves a fight in the freight container yards in Miami. With all characters involved, the fight gives new meaning to armed reprisal.
In support, Karl Urban plays a determined CIA agent that just won’t give up. He’s out to prove that being the best agent is the one that can take down the legend. The comedy surrounding his depiction of the frustrated William Cooper gives the film that extra punch needed to make it in my top comedy choices for 2010. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Mary-Louise Parker does a great job as the hapless Sarah Ross who finds herself along for the comedic roller coaster ride.
The film is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action violence and brief strong language, but although it may seem harmless to most, may be a little over the top for the very young.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Take the ride; it’s a doozie! (5 of 5)