In 2010, Red hit theaters with few expectations. But after a stellar opening weekend and a healthy set of legs, it wound up with nearly $100 million at the domestic box office and a slew of fans. Now, three years later, we are getting a second helping of the Retired Extremely Dangerous"”though the return trip doesn't prove quite as tasty as the original offering.
Hindered by a strong sense of ridiculousness, Red 2 is unable to recapture the magic that allowed so many to fall in love with it the first time around. Trying too hard to be cool and hip, the film gets lost within itself, relying heavily on witty banter and crazy scenarios. Unfortunately, neither distract the audience from its mindless story, leaving them in a state of discomfort as the entire film falls flat time and time again.
The film picks up some time after the conclusion of Red. Retired black-ops CIA agent Frank Moses has given up killing and is attempting to lead a normal life with his girlfriend Sarah (Mary Louise-Parker). But life on the down-low is short lived as Moses is forced to reunite his team of elite operatives and clear his name by finding a missing portable nuclear device.
Gone are the clever moments of discovery. The chemistry that was so prevalent in the first film fails to show its face as the series makes a swift change in direction, focusing heavily on the budding relationship between Willis' Moss and Parker's Sarah Ross. The new focus puts John Malkovich in the background, ultimately abandoning the most charismatic (and addicting) aspect of the entire first film.
Anthony Hopkins, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Byung-hun Lee join the high profile cast, none of whom are used to the full extent of their talent as they each attempt to fill a hole within three different sectors of the story. My distaste for Zeta-Jones in anything meant to be remotely funny continues after experiencing her performance here, though I consider myself fortunate for not having to put up with her presence for too long.
While the film misses on nearly every occasion, it is hard to deny the simplistic story and appealing visuals. There are rare moments of straight-up entertainment, but most are filled with repetitive faults that are nearly impossible to overlook. For some, there will be enough there to enjoy, but for most (especially those who fell in love with the original film), you will be disappointed. This time around Red 2 is anything but a sleeper hit.
