Red

Schwentke would have to be more than just a learned craftsman to make RED more than just a solid film. It's pretty dynamic, but the style is taken from somewhere else, so it's definitely not consistent. The story is comic-book exaggerated, and in the film narrative it is terribly banal. But the old boys are great and are good at their jobs. In the end I had a great time, and I left with the belief that if an inventive helmsman got his hands on it, this cruise could give a lot. The way it is, it "just" entertains. (01/11/2010)

A perfect cast in a brisk action comedy, which definitely does not mean that if you are old, you are immediately written off, because even "grandpas" and "grandmas" can have a good time. The premise is a bit simplistic and the denouement a bit predictable, but the concept of the action sequences is amazing. John Malkovich is properly wacky, Morgan Freeman and Bruce Willis have charisma, Helen Mirren is grace itself with all the right stuff and Mary-Louise Parker is a natural comedian. All in all, a refreshing respite for an afternoon and I wasn't bored for a moment. (24/07/2011)

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)

Finally, Bruce is acting! in a good film. Red is primarily a family movie with something for everybody - granny, grandpa, mum, dad and for big and little kids alike. The plot is as old as the genre itself, and that goes for most of the cast, but it’s enough for a series of pleasant escapades for one dusty team of agents. The best portion of gags were delivered by John Malkovich who is an expert at paranoid smegheads… and this model is one of his best, by the way. Cute Karl Urban is used mainly in the action/battle passages and Schwentke’s now certainly already patented 720°shot comes off really well. Certainly a very pleasant surprise. (08/01/2011)

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)