These are great, mild-action films. There is just enough action and violence that keeps the adults entertained, but mild enough to keep it at a PG-13 rating!
In the first film we learn about Frank Moses, played by Bruce Willis. A retired CIA agent, who is living a quiet, but lonely life. He would tear up his pension checks as an excuse to call Sarah, played by Mary Louise-Parker, at customer service to claim he didn't receive them. Really, he just wanted to chat with her again.
Suddenly, every former agent classified as RED are under attack. Frank knows they've been watching him so he goes to find Sarah, kidnaps her to protect her, and calls up some old friends to help investigate what is happening to them. John Malkovich is a whimsical Marvin Boggs, who is also as skilled as Frank with choice weaponry and tact. Helen Mirren at one point uses a standing gatling gun while wearing a dress and heels! She plays her character Victoria, as a classy English lady who is just as skilled as any man, or better. Morgan Freeman doesn't fight at all, which is enormously disappointing. This would've been a great film for him to show his tough side! By the end of them film Sarah realizes Frank sacrificed himself to protect her. How romantic.
The action and comedy is what makes this film float! It is just beautiful!
RED 2 is the sequel. The films begins with Frank and Sarah at a Costco-like store, shopping, being almost normal. Marvin tried to convince Frank that there may be more people after them. Frank wants to live a normal life and ignores Marvin's paranoia. After one of Marvin's attempts at getting Frank's attention, Frank is approached by several government agents and is arrested and taken for interrogation. No one really understands what is going on at this point. Neal McDonough plays Jack Horton, a great villain! Jack confronts Frank about a former operation called Nightshade. The villains want a product that is nuclear. The only one who knows about Nightshade now is the one who created it. Dr. Edward Bailey, played by Anthony Hopkins, who is being held in a mental institution, without much human interaction. It seems hopeless since Dr. Bailey seems to have lost his mind since being admitte. The hunt for answers takes them to various part of Europe, even picking up Russian agent Katya, played by Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Katya's character seemed unnecessary, and pointless. "The Frog" played by David Thewlis (Prof. Loopin from Harry Potter, Prisoner of Azkaban) had such a small part it could've been skipped and no one would notice. This film is only credited for action, comedy and creativity. We forget about the plot about halfway through the film when it gets a bit convoluted.
Fun action comedy. Fun for the whole family!
Fun fact. This series is based on a DC comic of the same name.
What makes these films is the cast. I really enjoyed John Malkovich.
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