RED doesn't pretend to be something it's not. It's an in-your-face thrill ride of a movie with laughs, bullets and more explosions than the Farm Film Report (honk if you're an SCTV fan).
The movie features an all-star cast including Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren and John Malkovich. It's an action comedy that pits a team of retired, extremely dangerous (R.E.D. get it?) CIA operatives who have been targeted for removal by a rogue hit squad.
No, it doesn't make sense. I mean, who'd want to kill loveable Bruce Willis (Ashton Kutcher?). But that really doesn't matter. Willis et all are chased, hunted, stalked and shot at throughout most of the continental U.S. The special effects budget on this film probably cost more than what we spend overthrowing Middle Eastern dictators, but it's a delight to watch.
The dialog is snappy and there are more throw-away one-liners than a 30 Rock script. Boomers will especially enjoy the premise of this talented team of experts being put out to pasture too soon. When the plot thickens and the pace slows (only slightly) Richard Dreyfus arrives with a terrific cameo and steals enough scenes to get him arrested. The always funny and often luminous Mary-Louise Parker helps pick up the pace as Willis' girlfriend who's not too sure she really wants to be along for the ride.
It's clear from the start that there's some great chemistry here - everyone in the cast seems to be in on the joke and don't mind sharing their fun. These professionals (both fictional and theatrical) are at the top of their games and it's a lot of fun watching them weave their magic.
RED is action comedy done right. A wonderful cast, sharp script and hold-on-tight action make this a film that deserves moving up to the top of any boomer's Netflix queue.