Red 2

Cast of Characters:

Frank Moses - Bruce Willis

Marvin Boggs - John Malkovich

Sarah Ross - Mary-Louise Parker

Dr. Edward Bailey - Anthony Hopkins

Victoria Winters - Helen Mirren

Katya - Catherine Zeta-Jones

Han Jo-Bae - Byung-hun Lee

Ivan Simanov - Brian Cox

Jack Horton - Neal McDonough

Director - Dean Parisot

Screenplay - Jon Hoeber & Erich Hoeber

Based on Red characters created by Warren Ellis & Cully Hamner

Rated PG-13 for pervasive action and violence including frenetic gun play, and for some language and drug material

      Bruce Willis, Academy Award nominee John Malkovich, Mary Louise-Parker and Academy Award winner Helen Mirren team up again for the sequel to 2010 hit comic book adaptation, Red 2.

       While trying to lead a normal life with his girlfriend Sarah Ross (Mary Louise-Parker), Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) is approached by Marvin Boggs (John Malkovich), who is afraid that there are people after them. Frank shrugs him off, and continues to do so, despite a second appeal from Marvin. Marvin doesn't sound so crazy once Frank is taken in to be interrogated at a Yankee White Facility. It is there that government agent Jack Horton (Neal McDonough) tells Frank that he will torture Sarah in order to get information out of him. Frank manages to escape with the help of Marvin and they go on the run with Sarah. Marvin explains that he and Frank were being hunted down because they were listed as participants in a secret operation codenamed Nightshade. The operation was conducted during the Cold War in order to smuggle a nuclear weapon into Russia piece by piece. Meanwhile, Victoria Winters calls Frank to tell him she has accepted a contract from MI6 to kill him. She'll have to get in line as top contract killer Han Jo-Bae (Byung-hun Lee) has also been given a contract by Horton to kill Frank as well.

      Frank, Marvin, and Sarah then travel to Paris to track down a man nicknamed "The Frog". The Frog possesses a key to a secuirty box which may or may not contain documents pointing to a Dr. Edward Bailey (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant physicist and creator of the bomb involved with Operation Nightshade. As they arrive in Paris, they are stopped by Katya (Catherine Zeta-Jones), a Russian secret agent who Frank had a relationship with earlier in his career. Katya is in search of Nightshade as well, and teams up with them to find The Frog, which comes at much obvious displeasure to Sarah.

      You could say I was looking forward to this. I really enjoyed Red in all its witty ridiculousness, and the cast that was involved made it even better. Then I finally watched Red 2, and damn it all, it's just meh. The performances are there, and of course, Malkovich once again proves to be the scene stealer. I was kinda hoping Hopkins would play his role a bit more over the top. The story certainly would've allowed for it, but he kinda plays it more and more straight as the film goes along. The problem here is that there isn't much going on, even during the action packed moments. In fact, oddly enough, it's the action packed moments that seem to be the most lifeless. I just sat there and wondered why is it when the guns are going down in a blaze of glory, I'm the most bored? There really was no thought or creativity put into any of the action sequences. All the goofy fun (save Malkovich and Parker) that we saw in Red is mostly gone, and overall I found they tried to cram too much story and too many characters into the film. One moment we're in Russia, then in London, then in Paris, then back to Russia, and then back in the States. Even at just under a two hour running time, it felt like there was way too much going on and at times the pacing just lagged. Plus, Costco must love the advertising spot; especially the part when a car explodes in their parking lot. That's right, folks. Come on down to Costco! We're blowing up prices... and your car.

      It's really a shame. I enjoyed Red and was hoping this would add on to what could be an entertaining film franchise. Unfortunately, the end result is nothing more than a tedious, obligatory sequel. Red 2 is not horrible by any means, nor is it good. It certainly has its moments, but not enough to where I can recommend seeing it. Instead, look up the first film, Red. I give Red 2 a C- (★★).

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