RED 2 Review: Bruce Willis’ Best Action Comedy in a Decade

How many people would want to buy a ticket to see a cast of actors in their fifties and sixties attempting to deliver the goods at a somewhat absurd comedy/action movie based on a comic book? Well, contrary to my expectations, it paid off. RED 2 has all the good spices to make a rich and tasty action comedy.

From beginning to end the movie is a rollercoaster. Its seasoned stars will take you by storm in an awesome ride that will leave you thrilled and asking for more. It has beautifully choreographed action scenes, no shortage of building and car wreckage, fist fights and high tech weaponry. But also a very smart and twisty plot to entertain you every step of the way.

Performances are top of the line and you can’t help but to empathize with every one of these characters. They’re absurdly funny but at the same time so touchingly human that the connection with the audience is real. The filmmakers don’t only kept Frank Moses’ girlfriend (a brilliant Mary-Louis Parker) around but made her a new member of the team. That brings a refreshing element to the mix and shows a more tender and complex side to Bruce Willis’ character that balances off with his tough and cut-dry portrayal of a retired CIA agent. Other characters also participate in a relationship that is both comedic and relatable for those who have been part of long time commitments.

The jokes are not driven by a particular funny actor doing the classic “comedy relief in a action flick”. Humor flow out from every situation, which speaks tons of a very well crafted piece of comedy. The director did a superb job getting excellent performances from all the players. Willis, as opposed to another instances, really brings it. John Malkovich is relentlessly funny and there’s nothing Helen Mirren can’t do. Anthony Hopkins deserves an award just for his first 5 minutes on screen.

Lines are smart and not one single scene wastes time. The story is so dynamic that you don’t really have time to analyze if there are major holes in the plot. But if that was the case, who cares? You’re traveling with these extremely likable characters across the globe, played by the most talented people in the business, in a very well crafted piece of entertainment. I hope that this team never retires.

In theaters July 19, 2013. Watch Bruce Willis react to our Lex Luthor suggestion here.