David O'ConnellRed
October 25th 2010 05:10
Robert Schwentke’s star-studded action romp succeeds mostly due to the tongue lodged firmly in its cheek. Red never aims for realism, instead coasting on the comedic value of having highly paid stars dodge bullets whilst hunting down proof that confirms their wildest conspiracy theories. Earlier this year The Losers covered similar ground but with lesser names in the cardboard cut-out roles. It still came up trumps, entertaining without insulting. Then The A-Team followed, knocking over the building just to get through the door with more recognisable names in the leads but with a screenplay written by a team of bored monkeys at typewriters sequestered in a windowless room for the 23 years since the TV show expired.
Red begins with an attempt on the life of ex-CIA gun Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) by a squad of black-clad shadows in the night. Frank has been bored witless since retiring, his only human connection being Sarah Ross (Mary-Louise Parker), the office worker who approves his pension cheques from New Jersey. Suspecting that those who’ve been sent to erase him from the planet have been eavesdropping on his conversations, Frank sets off to claim Sarah for her own safety whilst simultaneously acquiring whatever intelligence he can from a few trusted old colleagues.
Soon enough he and Sarah are sidestepping a hail of bullets and the rabid attention of C.I.A. agent Cooper (Karl Urban). Poor Sarah thinks she’s stumbled into a bad dream whilst the resourceful Frank ensures her that their cross-country ride is for her own safety. Before long they’ve touched down in a New Orleans retirement home to pick up 80 year old firebrand Joe Matheson (Morgan Freeman). Then it’s off to the jungle where paranoiac Marvin Boggs (John Malkovich) lives in a secret tunnel under a car with his wild theories about the various evil applications of modern technology. Finally, for the third act, there’s the impropriety of Dame Helen Mirren’s appearance as the retired Victoria who, even though contained to mundane duties in her country retreat, manages to perform the odd hit now and then to keep her reflexes sharp.
Bruce and Mary-L
A perfect cast accounts for much of Red’s success. Willis is admittedly coasting but you know what you’re getting with Bruce and he delivers a performance on a par with nearly everything that’s come before it in the last decade. Love him or hate him, he still possesses an aura that the onset of old age can’t easily erase. Freeman isn’t asked to stretch himself either, his wearied, shambling gait offset by a gleam of youthful exuberance in his crinkly old eyes.
Malkovich’s portrayal of Boggs isn't too far removed from the caricature of lunacy he’s set to slip into if he hasn’t already. It’s an admittedly funny turn however, as is Mirren’s as the ruthlessly efficient former spy whose grip on a submachine gun isn't as unnatural as you might imagine. Brian Cox as a Russian agent is also brilliantly cast against all logic, whilst Richard Dreyfuss, 93 year old Ernest Borgnine and the typically cool and distractingly unnatural Mrs. David Mamet, Rebecca Pidgeon, get a sprinkling of choice moments in the spotlight between them.
The real surprise packet is Parker and her impeccable comic timing. Always a pleasure to see on the big screen, she manages to trade quips with the big boys, her looks of consternation and exasperation at the unfolding drama worth the price of admission alone. Her transformation is fun to watch even as the character loses traction against the increase of outrageous spy games. Before the dust has settled, Sarah starts to take a liking to the frenetic action and oddball acquisitions, the adventure proving worthy of one of the ludicrous, romantic airport rack novels she devours each night.
There’s little substance to Red (2010) and that’s the way it should be. This loose, up-tempo adaptation of Warris Ellis and Cully Hamner’s graphic novel aims to entertain with a neat compliment of action sequences mixed with endearingly eccentric episodes. The film asks you to suspend disbelief and take a ride with some vintage names provided with the almost nostalgic luxury of having their characterisations extended beyond those of the wafer-thin variety. Thankfully, these almost flesh and blood creations, though sticking fast to their comic book origins, are real enough to give a damn about when the stakes get raised.
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Comment by Matt Shea
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Nice one...
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Comment by David O'Connell
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic
Thanks Deni, M-LP is great isn't she? I've always had a soft spot for her...........it goes way back to an unhealthy fascination I once had with (embarressing revelation coming) Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle-Stop Cafe!!!!!!!!
Cheers Shaun, a reasonable representation mate. If you're up for something not too demanding, give it a go.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
May check it out at a later date, just for little miss weeds if nothing else.
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
great take on it Dave, and I think I might go see this now, before reading your review I was sure it was one of those lame arsed numbers that the stars whored their talent for money. Not often you get a flick stuffed with stars and it is watchable.
cheers
fog
Comment by David O'Connell
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic
I'd definitely recommend seeing it fog, you won't be disappointed as long as you don't go in expecting Die Hard! Bruce may be past his best but here he's stuck to doing what he's most familiar with.
Comment by Matt Shea
Comment by David O'Connell
20/20 Filmsight
Screen Fanatic