A surprise hit three years ago, “Red” hardly seemed like the kind of film that demanded a sequel. Truthfully, I can’t say that I even remember the original particularly well. Warranted or not, a sequel has been produced. And while it also seems unlikely to stay in the brain for much longer than its running time, it should entertain those who have been waiting with baited breath for a follow-up.
“Red 2” introduces a completely domesticated, retired black ops agent Frank Moses (Bruce Willis). Much to the consternation of friend Boggs (John Malkovich) and girlfriend Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker), Moses seems more interested in “playing house” than living a life of danger and intrigue. His situation changes when he’s accused of being an international terrorist by a power hungry CIA operative (Neal McDonough). Of course, the antagonist has an ulterior motive; he wants to claim a lost, cold war-era weapon of mass destruction. To locate the WMD first, Moses and his team must find and release its inventor, an unpredictable, crackpot weapons designer named Bailey (Anthony Hopkins).
It’s a hectic, globe-trotting journey, as Moses must contend not only with a large primary threat, but deal with an antsy Sarah, who seems a little too eager to prove herself a valuable partner. He must also fend off the advances of an ex-flame (Catherine Zeta-Jones) and avoid a hired Korean assassin (Byung-hun Lee) as well as another old friend/hit woman (Helen Mirren) who are both out to kill him.
If this already seems silly, it should be noted that this sequel is even lighter and more escapist in fashion than the original film. When a secret passage to the Kremlin is located within the bathroom of a Papa John’s pizzeria near the Red Square, one knows not to take anything with even a hint of seriousness. This sequel is more of a throwback to 80’s action cinema, with Moses and his crew gunning down hundreds of bad guys in a blasé manner while bickering about their seemingly inconsequential personal problems.
There are a lot of car chases, shoots out and hand-to-hand battles in various locals. Yet it doesn’t feel like a movie that cares to emphasize visceral thrills. While it is capably shot, the action itself is not overly exciting. In fact, many of these sequences are interlaced with so much humor that they seem invented solely to justify a joke or two.
It’s a good thing that the cast are so capable. In particular, Malkovich and Willis are great together and have the bickering buddy dialogue down, emphasized with some great double takes and exasperated expressions. Whether a character is insulting and poking a corpse at a funeral in disbelief of their passing, or the many killers turn therapist and offer romantic advice, as long as the actors are given decent verbal jabs, they nail them.
“Red 2” is certainly not a great film and is only slightly more memorable than the first. Still, it’s amiable and breezy, ultimately earning a passing grade from this critic solely because of the entertaining interplay between the reliable leads. It sets its sights low, but hits its target more often than not. Compared with the many other “old school” action flicks this year (one even starring Willis), this is one of the better efforts.