The action comedy Red 2 comes to theaters, but its Catherine Zeta-Jones and Helen Mirren that command the screen.  While the whole crew is back for a second dip into the world of International Crime while on the run from their former CIA bosses, it’s these two ladies that make an impact. For a fun romp around Europe from London to Moscow this shoot’em up’s an optional choice for action lovers.

In this episode we find retired CIA agent Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) being contacted by his pal Marvin (John Malkovich). He tells Frank that they are being accused of being part of “Night Shade”, a sinister plan that involves a mega bomb. Coincidentally Frank gets a call from Victoria (Helen Mirren) informing him that she has accepted a hit contract from London’s MI6 because he has been put on Interpol’s most wanted. Before she gets off the phone she tells Frank that the USA has hired Han Cho Bai (Byung-hun Lee) the most feared contract killer in the world who also has a grudge to repay. So begins a story of evasion, conflict, chaos and mayhem in the midst of tracking down a weapon of mass destruction.

Helen Mirren stars as Victoria in RED 2

The girls are the winners here with some very nice script writing.  Director Dean Parisot (Fun with Dick and Jane) makes tthe ladies the center of the conflict with Sarah (Mary Louise Parker) handling a pistol with surprising ease, Russian spy Katja (Catherine Zeta-Jones) who’s as dangerous as a black widow and Victoria who can make use of any weapon put in her hands. The three make the film a lot of fun to watch while they steal scenes left and right.

Bruce Willis as Frank and Byung Hun Lee as assassin Han Cho Bai

Parisot lets his cast ad lib a lot in many scenes, but what he fails to do is make Bruce Willis’s character lively and thrilling.  Not like the spry John McClane in Die Hard or even the previously exciting Frank in Red Willis seems to be sluggish and weary, just walking through even the most action driven scenes.  It’s not like Willis to play second fiddle to the action let alone Malkovich, Zeta-Jones and Mirren who are the lively focus in Red 2.  My first impression is that he’s tired of being Frank, but unless he’s on Nyquil here it looks like there will not be a Red 3.

Catherine Zeta-Jones takes a shot as Katja in RED 2

The cinematography ramps up the action with a lot of green screen, CGI and special explosive effects. The most amazing scene features Han Cho Bai shooting a power generated machine gun that spews out bullets cutting a van in half, pummeling buildings with hot lead and making a pile of bullet shells that mounts in the hundreds. There are many scenes that feed on exciting conflicts of which the CGI wizards become the winners  in saving the film from sliding into boredom.

Red 2 has been rated PG-13 for pervasive action and violence including frenetic gun play, and for some language and drug material.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A lot of action, but the exciting Willis goes missing. (C )  

Additional Film Information:
Cast: Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren, Mary Louise Parker, Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Byung-hun Lee and Brian Cox
Directed by: Dean Parisot
Genre: Action, Comedy, Espionage
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for pervasive action and violence including frenetic gunplay, and for some language and drug material     
Running Time: 1 hr 56 min
Opening Date: July 19, 2013
Distributed by: Summit Entertainment