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Red (2010)

Director: Robert Schwentke

Time Out rating

Average user rating

20 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Pension-age suburbanite Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) wakes up to a volley of fire from masked hitmen, and as he deals with them one by one, realises his retirement is going to take a violent detour. The title stands for ‘retired, extremely dangerous’, and this knockabout action comedy is a boisterous, getting-the-band-back-together movie as Frank assembles a crew of trigger-happy oldsters (John Malkovich, Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, Brian Cox) to uncover why his distinguished, black-ops past is coming back to haunt him. It’s a charming mess, rescued by the knowing gusto of the acting. Beneath its light exterior is not only a neat, if unsubtle, political undercurrent but a rebellious streak about how the allure of firing an RPG outweighs the prospect of retirement.

Author: David Jenkins

Time Out London Issue 2096: October 21 – 27m 2010

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User reviews of this film

Thriller said...

Posted on Mar 29 2012 17:37 Some people dont realize that certain movies are meant to be watched by certain people..if you dont like this kind of movie then go and watch the movies of your choice..i for one am a big fan of Bruce Willis. I have watched every movie of his and have been satisfied. This movie is a funny and action filled movie about retired CIA and Black Ops agents who had to come out of retirement to save themselves from being murdered. Its a movie. Not a Reality TV show. I like these kind of movies. Doesn't mean i will learn from it and join the CIA or go commit a crime. I just like the storyline and action in this movie.

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Ricky said...

Posted on Apr 02 2011 12:44 Ugly movie again repeating the lie that kiiling people and engagng in violence is a fun career choice.
These great actors should be ashamed to add their names to such ugly attitudes just to make more money and keep in the public eye.

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blablablablablablabla said...

Posted on Mar 13 2011 16:08 it was really good so all you haters you should have watched better or you were just unlucky when God was handing out taste!!!!! LOVED IT ABSOLUTELY HILARIUOS!!!

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Thomas Noctor said...

Posted on Feb 26 2011 13:17 After the letdown of 'The Social Network' I needed a good laugh! Great movie, really enjoyed it! It's not a serious film, yet some people treat it as one! If you like action and a bit of fun, then get this and 'The Expendables'! Great casts too!

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stevhors said...

Posted on Nov 21 2010 09:50 Reminded me of the Bourne Identity on Prozac, a comedy caper without anything funny in it, thoroughly boring after the third shoot 'em up, the only amusement I got from this was looking for the many continuity errors, just check out Brucie's amazing mobile facial wounds if you want something to do until it thankfuly finishes.

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Mel said...

Posted on Nov 19 2010 23:23 I really loved this film, one of the best I have seen in ages. After reading reviews I was reluctant to go an see it but decided that films with Bruce Willis or Morgan Freeman never dissapoint, and this one certainly didn't. Fantastic action, great humor, and a wonderfull range of actors. Definitely worth seeing.

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blib said...

Posted on Nov 15 2010 05:27 Truly awful, matched only in it's awfulness by Knight and Day which was also truly awful.

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Mike said...

Posted on Nov 09 2010 23:28 Somewhere - under the mountain of spent bullet shells - there’s the not bad idea of a film hidden away in here. But the execution’s poor. In the way the chemistry of a collection of seasoned actors can work, here it doesn’t, which is a shame as I like most of them. Great film if you don’t want anything too taxing. Bad choice if you get bored easily. Two stars.

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roger rabbit said...

Posted on Nov 06 2010 18:54 Well ill say this,my sister works p/t in cinema and had to wake 8 people at end of night, 4 walked out & 4 went to see another movie after this was on 15mins ...yes i was one that fell asleep !! Comfy chairs but

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Dick said...

Posted on Nov 03 2010 10:13 Diehard 113 (minus the T-shirt). Unoriginal, unbelievable. Helen Mirren must have done this for abit of a lark - don't waste you time and money!

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scrumpyjack said...

Posted on Oct 29 2010 18:26 Good fun, though Parker Over does the kookyness. A "once only" film? yes...but a fine example of one. 6+/10

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Mike said...

Posted on Oct 25 2010 14:10 Thanks, Archgate. Will try to see one of the three you recommend, though have seen Social Network once - like you, I rate it. I agree, Arbour looks good - let's see.

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ARCHGATE said...

Posted on Oct 25 2010 12:33 Mike - Nice.
Yes, Helen Mirren - she scares me. Probably would make a real good kickass Prime Minister. Anyway ... you may like to consider from 3 good films I have seen recently:
The Social Network
Easy A - Great fun. very smart dialogue.
Africa United - delightful performances
Today I see the Arbor

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mike said...

Posted on Oct 25 2010 12:00 Thanks for clarification, Archgate. We've agreed on a number of movies in the past, so thought your comments relevant. In my opinion, Helen Mirren's yet to improve on her role/acting in "The Long Good Friday", nearly 30 years ago. "The Last Station" from 2009 should have been retitled "The Last Resort" - it was terrible, and so was she - much wringing of hands and angst. Thanks for the update.

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Paul said...

Posted on Oct 24 2010 22:42 car chase + car crash + gun play + shooting + fighting + explosions + A-list celebs + fbi + cia + secret service = zzz zzz

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