I remember the Secret Service being tougher.

Rating: 8/10 (1 November 2010)

RED (Retired: Extremely Dangerous) is directed by Robert Schwentke and loosely based around the three-issue comic book limited series of the same name created by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner. It stars Bruce Willis, Mary-Louise Parker, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Karl Urban, Richard Dreyfuss, Brian Cox & Ernest Borgnine. The screenplay is by Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber.
Frank, (Willis), Joe (Freeman), Marvin (Malkovich) and Victoria (Mirren) are ex CIA agents forced out of retirement when it becomes clear someone is out to kill them. Seems they hold the key to a dark secret that could rock America from its political foundations.
A fun action packed romp featuring a cast of mature thespians enjoying themselves. What RED lacks in originality of plot it more than makes up for in its willingness to entertain and not to take itself seriously. Apparently lighter in tone than the comics it's based on (not familiar with them myself), it appears to be a good decision by the makers to make it more airy. For this is the sort of cinema fare that most in the family can enjoy: well certainly from the teenagers upwards. The explosions and kills etc are well put together and keep the action fans happy, while the comedy theme of age (these lot certainly aren't too old for this crap), as Bruce and co kick butt, is sure to keep the smile on Mam & Dad's face.
A super charismatic cast (some nice cameos too) deliver a movie, which given its familiar plot and aged thematics, is a surprisingly refreshing option at the multiplex. 8/10