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The spy genre has been around in force since the 60s, so its popularity has never been drawn into question. What has been, especially in recent times, is what more can be said about that particular topic. They through Angelina Jolie into a spy film to freshen things up, and have turned Bond into a relevant character again after falling into almost parody at the turn of last century. But with Bourne, Bond, Mission: Impossible, Wanted, Spy Kids, and god knows what else out there in their unrelenting instalments, where else could the spy genre go?
Luckily, someone knew: old people!
Based on DC Comics written by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner, RED—which stands for retired, extremely dangerous—tells the story of Frank Moses and his ‘buddies’, all former spies, trying to live their twilight years in the mundane everyday existence of retirees. When hits are put out of all of them, they reunite to discover why they are being targeted, and teach their younger opponents and themselves that old dogs can learn new tricks... and kick arse with the best of them.
This is a cracking good yarn, as witty as it is complex. The jokes come thick and fast, as does the action. The characters are all well conceived and impeccably performed by some of the greatest ‘senior’ actors in the biz. To see Helen Mirren go ape-shit with an Uzi is worth the price of the Blu Ray alone, but Bruce Willis hits one out of the park in this one and is an absolute joy to follow. Morgan Freeman, Brian Cox, and the always dependable John Malkovich chew up the scenery and even Karl Urban, who, talented as he is, has not been given much of an opportunity to do anything other than scowl, shows a flair for combining machismo and self deprecation into a fun package.
Robert Schwentke is proving himself to be a versatile director (with two of his last ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ and ‘Flightplan’). The German director has a knack for milking the comedy of this film visually, and manages to let a large ensemble of high profile actors all have their moments to shine.
With every second movie these days starring a teenager or twenty something it’s good to see the old school coming out swinging and hitting a home run. This is a fast paced, very enjoyable action romp that allows its players and its audience to kick back and have a good time.
Summit entertainment has commissioned this film’s writers Erich and Jon Hoeber to pen another installment. If all this film’s players return for another one, consider me first in line.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action violence and brief strong language.
