Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action violence and brief strong language.
The new action movie RED is pure popcorn entertainment and not worthy of a proper review. Don't get me wrong, I'm a sucker for movies where lots of things blow up and boy do things blow up in this thing. And I must admit, the sight of Dame Helen Mirren firing high powered automatic weapons in anger was worth the price of admission. But it's one you can just as easily get on Netflix for a snowy day. I could argue that with this good a cast RED is a bit disappointing; what with less character development than Rug Rats in Paris and a plot that seems like they made it up as they went along, but why spoil the fun? Did I mention a lot of things blow up? And that Dame Hellen fires one of these M2 Brownings that's bigger than she is?
Anyway, the big conceit in the movie is that the main characters are retired CIA, MI-5 and KGB agents who are board with nothing to do. The Cold War is over and the world just isn't the same (the Cold War is never mentioned, but it's pretty much understood). Our heroes are finding it hard to adjust to the new reality. Well, in 1992 this would be fresh, but today it seems stale at best, and out of touch at worst. There is a global conflict going on where covert agents are playing a key role. Why is Hollywood afraid to acknowledge it, accept when it's to be critical of it? (one of the trailers was for the new movie about Valarie Plame) And wouldn't a plot involving recruiting these old pros back into action for this fight have been more relevant and had more creative possibilities than this half baked anti-business /government conspiracy yarn that never really has any clarity, focus or real originality? I'm just asking.
No comments:
Post a Comment