imagine an over-the-hill-gang of CIA agents on a case

Rating: Null/10 (12 August 2010)

I just came from a screening of RED which opens Oct 15th. We were told that what we saw is the final cut without some of the special effects completed.
The plot...Willis plays a bored retired CIA agent who amuses himself by calling the federal clerk who handles lost retirement checks (Parker) falsely asking for replacements (he tears them up) while flirting with her on the phone (could this be love?). One day he finds himself under attack at home. After taking care of the attackers he goes on a quest to find out why someone wants him dead.
RED, stamped on Willis' CIA file stands for retired extremely dangerous. The movie is based on the graphic novel of the same name. Loads of big time actors show up while Willis is on the search for the killers. Some of them are other retired CIA agents (Freeman, Malkovich, Mirren). Then there's the federal retirement clerk and love interest to Willis' character (mary Louise Parker who steals the movie) and an old Russian KGB agent (Brian Cox who always does a great acting job). They team together to find out why they and others have been targeted to be killed. Helen Mirren as a hit-woman is a hoot. Malkovich is fun as an oddball ex-agent. Great cameos by Ernest Borgnine and Richard Dreyfuss. I enjoyed watching them all.
I think the movie is meant to be a comedy, but the script could be punchier. I sat for long periods watching an ordinary spy movie plot unfold with few laughs. OK I was wowed by the actors but let down by the script.
Willis is in his element. Freeman is underutilized but works well as part of the team. If you're a fan of these actors you might want to see the movie to watch them play together. They seem to be having fun.