Writer: Anne Jamaludin

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Watch this if you liked: “A-Team”, “Get Smart”, “Date Night”, “Knight & Day”

Inspired by a three-issue comic book series, this action comedy directed by Robert Schwentke ("The Time Traveler's Wife", "Flightplan") boasts a star-studded ensemble of exceptional casts.

Frank Moses (Bruce Willis), a retired CIA agent enjoys living a normal life while trying to pursue romance (using his skills as a former Federal Agent in the process) with the hopeless romantic Federal Pensions Department staff, Sarah Ross (Mary Louise Parker). But after a mysterious assassination attempt made towards him, Moses is forced to head out in search for some answers while dragging Sarah along in his pursuit. Later on, his past is revisited when he reunites with fellow CIA teammates Joe Matheson (Morgan Freeman), Marvin Boggs (John Malkovich) and Victoria (Dame Helen Mirren), who are also being targeted for unknown reasons. Together with the help of a Russian Secret Agent, Ivan Simanov (Brian Cox), they try to unravel all the secrets and conspiracies. With a younger CIA agent (Karl Urban) hot on his trail, the four forced retirees proved that seasoned agents still have game as they fight for their survival.

Despite using the same ol' retired-Federal Agent-forced-to-reactivate theme and plot, fans of the action comedy genre would not want to miss this hilarious movie mostly because of the assembly of actors. Willis, after making a memorable cameo in Slyvester Stallone's recent action flick, "The Expendables" delivered a prominent portrayal as Moses. He managed to exhibit humour without losing his machismo while his chemistry with his on-screen love interest is moderately sweet. There are some memorable scenes that will get the audience laughing as well apart from John Malkovich's rather antsy character and Mirren's portrayal as 'one-of the-boys' in the movie.

"Red" had managed to successfully rope in an estimated total of US$22.5 million on its weekend opening in the States and this reviewer believes that moviegoers will find this movie enjoyable and entertaining nevertheless!

Cinema Online, 20 October 2010