In Red, Frank Moses (Willis) is a retired CIA operative who just can’t kick his gun powder habit. He practices his smirk, waiting for a slew of gunmen to invade his home and deliver bullets like confetti. He then mows them down when they do, kidnaps a government worker and reunites with fellow geriatric assassins (Mirren, Freeman and Malkovich). Together they drop one–liners and bombs, fighting for the dignity of maligned, violent oldies everywhere.
The movie constantly squawks, “Old people are awesome!” This is true, especially when they carry automatic weapons and bounce around like ninjas. This brand of senior citizen is both agile and wrinkle-free, and since Botox is now a fact of life, their porcelain faces almost add a touch of realism.
Red follows the “assassin romp” formula so loyally, it’s hard to know if it’s a genre film or a parody. The movie may be a winky satire that teases cinematic conventions, or the Russian spy may be unironically giggling about his murders as he sips straight vodka in a brocade blazer.
There are hints of self–consciousness, like the clunky rock music that stops for a “surprise” shooting. Or the dizzying camera twirls intended to highlight jokey bits. A character doesn’t finish the word “Chinatown” before a gong sounds out of nowhere.
But the script of Red delivers laughs and explosions in such an appealing ratio that the movie is enjoyable even with all these over-stylized elements. It’s engrossing and effective through the constant plot contortions.
Though the characters mutter ponderous lines about the nature of aging, they’re more interested in indiscriminately kicking ass. Red is a movie about spies who’ve grown old but haven’t matured. Red Directed by: Robert Schwentke Starring: Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich Rated PG-13, 111 min.
