Worth a watch mostly for Malkovich

Rating: 6/10 (29 November 2014)

"RED" is a 2010 film written by the Hoeber brothers and directed by German Robert Schwentke. It managed a Golden Globe nomination for Best Comedy/Musical although it is not really a comedy. Its comedic moments mostly come from John Malkovich in the first half of the film. That being said, the first half is better than the second in my opinion. In the center of the movie is Bruce Willis as a retired C.I.A. agent, who becomes the target of his former employer. As he tries to find out who wants to kill him and why, the audience gets all it can expect from a Bruce Willis film (lots of it you have probably seen already in 10 other films starring him). Lots of gunfighting, many explosions and in the end even the American vice president as a target. The latter is played by Julian McMahon from Nip/Tuck. I really like him, so I was a bit disappointed his role wasn't bigger. Morgan Freeman, Bryan Cox and Helen Mirren (in their respective roles) help Willis' character here. And during all the action, the main character also starts falling in love with the female lead played by Mary Louise Parker (two-time Golden Globe winner for "Weeds"). Unfortunately, there was really nothing to her character. It wasn't her acting, it was just that she did not add anything at all to the story. As weird as how she met Willis' character, as weird was also everything else that involved her. She obviously loved the danger and thrill, and admired Willis all the time, but I felt this film would have been just as good or even better without her.
Then there is also the agent who hunts Willis' character, played by Karl Urban. I had my problems with him too. At the beginning, he follows orders and we see he is actually a cold-blooded killer and after he gets beaten up by Willis' character, he becomes a helper to him. Obviously the filmmakers included scenes with his family at his house to warm up to him, but the whole character development for him just felt unconvincing. The death of Morgan Freeman's character could have worked as a sad highlight of the movie, but I did not feel any sadness at all when it happened although I like the actor a lot even. Randomly include his cancer and then kill him off instead of the main character.
Finally, I would like to say that I had a good time watching it. You should not really think too much about it and try to ignore its plot holes. If you manage to do that and enjoy the occasional action flick, this one is certainly worth watching. And if you did not enjoy it, at least keep in mind to NEVER call John Malkovich an old man.