Die Hard with a walking stick

Rating: 7/10 (4 October 2017)

I don't know why I feel so 'dirty' watching 'Red.' Deep down I know it's hardly Shakespeare and I should never rate it more than a 2/5. However, there's something oddly satisfying from watching a load of old actors go crazy with guns and take out wave after wave of trained henchmen like they were immortal. 'Red' is effectively an action-thriller, with a healthy dose of 'Bourne-like' spy-movie thrown in there. Bruce Willis plays a retired John McClane (not really, but he might as well – effectively a retired CIA killer) who, something, something, something, ends up on the run with a woman he's been flirting with over the phone. Naturally, there's hired government killers on his trail at every turn and he must fight for survival every step of the way while he desperately tries to prove his innocence. Think that plot synopsis sounds familiar? Well, it does. It's basically the same as every other recent (Bourne clone) spy movie made in the last few years. It's nothing new, but it is fun.
I guess you could say that it's a bit of a gimmick having the lead being an 'elderly' balding (sorry Bruce!) hero, as opposed to a young man with a nice tan and full head of hair on the run. In fact it is the 'age factor' that is this film's only real selling point. Bruce doesn't go it alone, he's helped out by an aging John Malkovich, an aging Morgan Freeman and an aging Helen Mirran – all of which are quite capable to murdering any young, highly-trained upstart who gets in their way. And, yes, it is fun to see them in action.
Despite the serious subject matter of death at every turn, the film never even attempts to take itself seriously. It knows it's daft and over the top and that's its main saving grace. If it tried to make us think that a bunch of senior citizens could really do all this then it would be ridiculous. However, throughout all the car chases and shootouts it almost parodies itself.
If you like your action movies fun (like pre Daniel Craig Bond) then you should appreciate this, plus if you're a fan of Bruce Willis doing what he does best, or just want to see Helen Mirren wield a sniper's rifle, then you should definitely enjoy this. The plot is simple, Karl Urban is kind of wasted as the film's primary antagonist, hell bent on Willis' capture/death, but he's a nice addition anyway. Just don't think too deeply about why an older man still has to have a considerably younger love interest at his side!