Red - 3 smiles

If you want to really enjoy yourself, see “Red,” an action/comedy starring a bunch of A-list actors. Like “The Expendables,” this is fast-paced, often humorous entertainment for the more ‘mature’ audience and it doesn’t take itself too seriously, which makes it all the more enjoyable. Bruce Willis, in his mid-50s, is in his element as a retired CIA operative who knows how to out-think, out-shoot and out-fight anyone who comes at him. And his supporting crew is inspired casting. It’s worth the price of admission just to see Helen Mirren shooting a huge gun with empty shell casings pouring onto the floor. And John Malkovich, who plays a paranoid ex-CIA agent, steals the show.

Frank Morse (Willis), bored with retirement in Cleveland, strikes up a phone relationship with Sarah Ross (Mary-Louise Parker), a claims officer in Kansas City who is handling problems he’s having with his pension checks. His life gets more interesting when a hit team sneaks into his house under the cover of darkness and proceeds to try to kill him. Soon, he’s on the run with his main pursuer being CIA agent William Cooper (Karl Urban), who’s ruthless but unaware of Frank’s abilities. Worried about Sarah, Frank travels to Kansas City, kidnaps Sarah (for her safety, of course), and begins rounding up members of his old team: 80-year old Joe Matheson (Morgan Freeman) who still has his wits about him despite stage 4 liver cancer; Marvin Boggs (Malkovich), whose extreme paranoia is not without merit; Ivan Simanov (Brian Cox), former KGB bigwig; and former MI6 agent Victoria (Helen Mirren), whose retirement isn’t as tranquil as it appears. Their goal is to try to find out why people are trying to kill them. “Red,” retired, extremely dangerous, is fast paced, energetic, and offers a fun two hours. If you see it, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. 10/15/10