John Malkovich

John Malkovich

Red (2010)

What Worked?

Like classic rock stars doing a reunion concert, Red works in giving the audience a great show. Director Robert Schwentke takes the graphic novel, by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner, and turns it into a satisfying piece of mindless, slick action. The veteran cast fit into their roles perfectly, and it is a pure blast to watch them crack jokes and kick ass.

 

 

Schwentke shoots the action scenes with a glossy and neat style, and the action is choreographed in the same manner. Sometimes they're dripping with cheesiness, but it's always all in good fun. However, there is one gritty, blood-drenched fight that mixes things up for one scene, just for good measure.

 

 

Bruce Willis plays Frank Moses, a former black-ops agent, and does what he does best: beat the baddies while commanding his coolness. The rest of the cast, including Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, and John Malkovich are all comfortable in their roles. Mary-Louise Parker, as the love interest, Sarah Ross, is likable as the everyday girl drawn into a dangerous mess. The champ amongst champions in the flick is definitely John Malkovich as Marvin Boggs, the eccentric, paranoid and entertainingly awkward ex-black ops agent. Malkovich plays Boggs to perfection, as he is so odd that he steals every scene he's in, even amongst other entertaining performances.

 

The theme of the film is obviously how to deal with getting old, and this film handles it well in the few quiet moments it has. Each veteran ex-agent plays upon their lack of youth with often times hilarious and cheer-worthy results.

Potential Drawbacks:

 

 

The plot is completely over-shadowed by the urge to just want to see the cast kick some ass. This film is almost completely mindless fun, and one shouldn't attempt to watch it unless he/she leaves logic at the door. Red is a pop-corn action flick with crowd-pleasing scenes and nothing more.

 

 

Some might say this is a film where top-notch actors sell-out, while others might say it's a chance for them to just have a good time.

About the Author

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What did John Malkovich say about raising the debt ceiling?

I cant bowl. I have a horribly deformed lower torso that makes nearly any physical activity impossible. That's why I spend so much time on YA. Thanks for bring up such a painful subject.

JK

I don't know, but he might have something to say about the low ceiling on the 7 1/2 floor.

Being John Malkovich