RED (2010)

January 9, 2024 11:04 AM

[TRAILER] After surviving an assault from a squad of hit men, retired CIA black ops agent Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) reassembles his old team for an all-out war. Frank reunites with old Joe (Morgan Freeman), crazy Marvin (John Malkovich) and wily Victoria (Helen Mirren) to uncover a massive conspiracy that threatens their lives. Only their expert training will allow them to survive a near-impossible mission -- breaking into CIA headquarters.

Also stars Mary-Louise Parker, Karl Urban, Richard Dreyfuss, Brian Cox, Rebecca Pidgeon, Julian McMahon, James Remar, Ernest Borgnine.

Directed by Robert Schwentke. Screenplay by Erich Hoeber, Jon Hoeber, Cully Hamner, loosely inspired by the DC Comics limited series of the same name by Warren Ellis.

72% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Currently streaming in the US on Amazon Prime and Tubi. Also available for digital rental. JustWatch.

posted by DirtyOldTown (12 comments total)

There were always two Bruce Willises during the good years: the Bruce who was a terrific actor; and the Bruce who was an irresistibly charming star. If Looper was the first Bruce's last hurrah, this movie (or if you're feeling generous, its sequel) was the second Bruce's last.

This is the kind of silly popcorn movie where they've put together an impossibly top tier collection of stars who are all having a blast to such an extent that it elevates the material considerably.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 11:06 AM on January 9 [8 favorites]

Saw this in the theatre when it came out. I remember very, very little of it but I recall having a good time.
posted by jzb at 11:15 AM on January 9 [1 favorite]

I read somewhere that Helen Mirren played Victoria as if Martha Stewart was a super-spy. Which might explain my being totally crushed out.
posted by whuppy at 11:17 AM on January 9 [3 favorites]

God I remember watching this movie and loving it. Now I have to rewatch it. Thanks DOT!
posted by miss-lapin at 1:49 PM on January 9

A fun romp, don't read up about it the twists are just plain fun and hilarious, it's what we all wish the spies were really like, and we could hang with them ducking bullets and tossing things over a wall that go bang. Red2 was even better.
posted by sammyo at 3:27 PM on January 9

That's for posting, it's a good reminder to watch this again!

It does what it says on the tin: it entertains you, with great acting, good dialogue, and a plot/story that lets the fantastic cast shine.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:16 AM on January 10 [3 favorites]

What Brandon Blatcher said.

Ever since it came out, I have referred to Helen Mirren as Helen Fucking Mirren, because who knew she was such a badass?
posted by adamrice at 10:23 AM on January 10 [3 favorites]

I was wondering where the DoT posts had been, glad to see them back.
posted by Pantengliopoli at 12:40 PM on January 10 [1 favorite]

I enjoyed this way more than I expected. I’m kinda shocked it hasn’t been covered here yet.
posted by Thorzdad at 4:59 PM on January 10

Rebecca Pidgeon! Well, dog my cats!
posted by oldnumberseven at 7:06 PM on January 10

Saw a chunk of this on TV last night or the night before, and it seemed like a fun ensemble!
posted by rhizome at 1:32 AM on January 14

Two things about this movie. First, Mary-Louise Parker is the most MLP-ist she can be. The moment Parker's Sarah Ross says that it wasn't her worst date and smirks has free rental space in my mind.

Second, the actor Brian Cox is in the 2010 film entitled "Red" and in the 2008 film also entitled "Red". Different plots, but both feature guns.
posted by bacalao_y_betun at 3:23 PM on February 13