R.E.D. 2: When the Elderly Satisfy

During these last two years, I have become a bigger fan of action movies after realizing that they can genuinely be funny and have interesting and quirky characters. The first R.E.D. movie challenged my preconception of action films as being formulaic. While R.E.D. 2 often feels familiar and over-the-top in terms of action and adventure, its wit and humor satirizes many stock components of espionage thrillers. Much of this film’s charm also stems from the veteran actors who channel their comic timing and intensity to play retired and extremely dangerous agents that need to save the world.

Retired C.I.A. agent Frank (Bruce Willis) wants to insulate his girlfriend, Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker), from any danger. He welcomes the quiet, domestic life. Sarah, on the other hand, is itching for some adventure. While shopping for appliances at Costco, the couple runs into Frank’s friend and C.I.A. partner, Marvin (John Malkovich), who lets them know that people are after them. They learn that a brutal CIA agent, Jack Horton (Neal McDonough), is leading a manhunt on Frank and Marvin, who were named as participants in a secret nuclear operation called “Nightshade.” They get a call from their old friend and fellow agent Victoria (Helen Mirren), who has accepted a contract from MI6 to kill Frank. She also lets them know that the US has sent a vicious contract killer named Han Cho Bai (Byung-hun Lee), much to Frank and Marvin’s dismay.

Wanted by two (and later three) countries, Frank and Marvin head out to investigate the story behind Nightshade, while Sarah tags along for the adventure. As they track down a man who knows about Nightshade, they also run into Katya (Catherine Zeta-Jones), a Russian secret agent who has a complex romantic history with Frank and wants to find out about Nightshade as much as they do. Clues point to a genius physicist: Dr. Edward Bailey (played by Anthony Hopkins, who is always brilliant) who has been locked up for 32 years.

While it does feel a little familiar and somewhat predictable, the adventure plot of R.E.D. 2 manages to be engaging. The history behind Nightshade dates all the way back to the Cold War. The crew ends up having to trace clues across the U.S. and Europe. Numerous parties and agents are involved in this nuclear scandal, and each country—whether it be the US, UK, or Russia—is looking out for its own interests. It’s also extremely hard to figure out who’s on which side, as that often changes throughout the movie. R.E.D. 2 has viewers guessing who’s on whose side and loyalties seem fluid and open to change as the story unfolds.

Paying homage to its graphic novel roots, R.E.D. 2 does not take itself too seriously and basks in its over-the-top and cheesy moments. One example is when Han positions the car so that Victoria can take out two cars with a pistol in each hand. Of course, the scene is shot in a bit of a slow-motion style so that we can marvel at what an awesome and deadly shot she is. The banter between Frank, Marvin, and Sarah manages to steal scenes, especially as Marvin tries to give Frank advice on women and as Sarah insists on being a part of their extremely dangerous operations, much to Frank’s dismay. Also, Helen Mirren crackles in her role as a fierce agent who “takes care” of people in many ways—as an assassin and sniper, a mother figure and mentor to Sarah, and a fellow team member and friend to the guys.

R.E.D. 2 cleverly satirizes the espionage genre from all angles with its goofy undercover performances, over-the-top and hyper-violent fight scenes, a hilarious rivalry between Zeta-Jones’ femme fatale and Parker’s skittish civilian-turned-spy sweetheart, and the utter self-centeredness of each national government. Overall, the movie feels more likable than most cookie-cutter espionage thrillers because of its honest dialogue and eccentric characters. It kinda reminds me of a hyper-violent version of Charade with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn that has somehow been crossbred with Ocean’s Eleven—but with quirkier female characters.

Sometimes the plot’s a little harder to follow. It would have been easier if the Operation Nightshade exposition was more concise. At one point, they have so many characters trying to solve this scandal that it gets a little confusing. The movie pulls itself out of the muck thanks to Hopkins’ mad scientist who suffers from short-term memory loss. Hopkins effortlessly smoothed over what could have been a storyline disaster—he’s an absolute master of his craft.

Instead of getting caught in the weaves of the espionage plot, the movie focuses more on the personal relationships and friendships among the agents. This makes for a great story an audience can connect with, but will leave those looking for a sophisticated spy and adventure plot unsatisfied. But, with its witty comedy, thrilling action sequences, romantic drama, and a stellar cast, R.E.D. 2 should win wide appeal with audiences.