Red

For Willis's exit from the spinning car, for Malkovich's mad Malkovich and his pig, for Helen Mirren standing in her evening gowns behind a machine gun, for Freeman in the nursing home and general's uniform, for Mary-Louise Parker's eyes, for Bruce's bloody brawl with Karl Urban, for Ernest Borgnine, for great action scenes like the one at the airport - which are both thrilling and entertaining - for the witty one-liners and the cool script, for Richard Dreyfuss's character, for Beck's music, and for the way the end credits roll... I give it all four and a half stars. Red is really great fun with many memorable moments, which should not be missed by any fan of action lightened with humor. I don't give it five stars only because of the occasional "too much comic-book-ness", which was especially evident in the actions of the commandos and special forces - they simply behaved like assholes (the beginning in Moses' house, the shootouts in the garages). (20/02/2011)

The only thing atypical about Red is that, the main roles of former special agents in this action comedy with a terribly hole-ridden script and music that, with its attempt to create a relaxed feeling, remotely resembles the lightness and elegance of Ocean’s Eleven, are played by usually non-action actors, perhaps with the exception of Willis. Some may find this cool, while others may shake their heads. But the originality of the idea with retired agents cannot be denied. Unfortunately, it does not reach the top in terms of quality, not because it is not sufficiently self-conscious or slow-paced, but because it is sterile and half of the film basically consists of generic location changes culminated by one action set-piece or another. (23/07/2015)

Red is a “costume show” with a senile plot, which is more about individual attractions than creating a coherent whole. You’ll have fun, enjoy Willis playing Willis, Malkovich reminiscing about the good old days of Burn After Reading and the regal Helen Mirren in a white dress, shooting a heavy machine gun. With a better script, this could have been one of the best movies of the year, but that sadly didn’t happen. Karl Urban might get some major roles in grade-A blockbusters. Robert Schwentke, circling around him at an intersection, elevated Michael Bay-like turning around the guy with a gun to the level of sophisticated ballet. Exactly between three and four stars; I’m giving four because I gave three to Resident Evil: Afterlife :-) (29/10/2010)

Bruce Willis delivers his usual performance, but when it comes to emotions, he's actually quite good. And clumsy. It's even more evident in the sequel. John Malkovich stands out the most, playing a great madman, paranoid Marvin, who sees agents everywhere. Well, after all, just because someone is paranoid doesn't mean they're not being followed. And when he picks up a pig, it's really a treat. The communication between the team is incredibly filled with humor, creative and interesting. Humor is the main thing that drives the movie forward, even though it also relies on the classic formula of action spy films - locations change very often, the government is somehow involved in everything, and someone we know nothing about pulls the strings. The script is sufficiently convoluted, allowing the film to truly be labeled as a spy movie. More: http://www.comics-blog.cz/2013/08/250-red-2010-70.html (27/08/2013)

I’d happily replace gaps with drawn-out verbal filler in favor of action, which Schwentke handles quite easily. Thumbs up for those moments when the retired agents are having fun over the fact that in their youth the SS (Secret Service ;-)) wasn't a bunch of old farts because the actors are having a blast with it. However, the lack of a stronger villain and a thicker plot won't let me give that fourth star. 3 ½. (17/10/2010)