It’s funny how some sequels seem to think they know what audiences want in new installments; bigger explosions, more chaos, more laughs. The latest to hit the big screen: “Red 2” which never comes close to it’s predecessors brilliance, nor does it come up with anything truly exciting itself.
Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) is living the quiet life with Sarah (Mary Louise Parker), just trying to take things slow, when wouldn’t you know it, Marvin (John Malkovich) appears stating that he and Frank are involved in an old conspiracy from the Cold War involving a massively powerful weapon. Now, Frank and Sarah are caught in an international race against time, and must find the weapon, save the world, and maybe get a proper date in there too.
One of the best parts of the first film was the ensemble cast, watching them squabble, interact and fight was tons of fun, with actors like Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren and Brian Cox bringing much to the table. Since the majority the film is left to Malkovich, Parker and Willis, the zest of the first flick is forgotten. However, in their minimized roles Mirren and Cox do get some of the film’s best moments, including a spectacular action sequence featuring Mirren, a fancy sports car and a giddy sense of recklessness the rest of the movie is sorely lacking.
Other newcomers fare so-so; Anthony Hopkins plays a delusional scientist well, but this is the rare film that could’ve been improved with more well known actors; the likes of Christopher Plummer or Dustin Hoffman would’ve been more exciting to see than shoehorned characters played by Catherine Zeta-Jones and Byung-Hun Lee, neither of which serve the shoddy script at all. Speaking of which, the script here is all over the place, with overlong fight scenes and an odd lack of fun that just sinks the film further. Plus, the finale, despite the aforementioned thrill of seeing Helen Mirren in a great car chase, is convoluted and stupid, with a resolution that bamboozles more than it satisfies.
The potential for some great summer fun was here, but by having a poor script and a terrible sense of pacing, “Red 2” fails to come up with anything really involving. Thank goodness for great actors like John Malkovich, Brian Cox and Helen Mirren, who bring exhilaration and happiness the film is sorely lacking. It’s got the chaos, explosions and occasionally successful laughs, but “Red 2” still is an underwhelming movie.
