Review of Red (1996) by Jonathan R — 10 Aug 2013

Nothing against this film but I'm starting to become a little bored of films which centre around who has the best gun, and who can make the biggest explosion. This was a typical action film but starring a cast of legendary oldies.

It kind of follows the 'Expendables' route of pitting as many famous faces into one film as is possible, but just like I have no burning desire to see that, this wasn't that super either. The basic concept is centred around these all stars having to come out of their retirement as assassins if only to protect themselves against the government, who are trying to have them eliminated for what secrets they learnt whilst in employment.

Of course there is the traditional internal conspiracy that becomes unravelled as we progress through all the gunfire and action sequences, which reminds me of the type of concept that the 'Bourne' films gave us.

As much as I can enjoy these series, they never amaze me and I always feel that once you have seen one, you have seen them all. I'm happy to watch them but I'll never go out my way to view it, and I'd certainly never pay to see them.

I do think this may have been the first Bruce Willis film I have ever seen, and given the stereotypical role he always seems to perform, I'm not exactly a step closer to becoming a super fan of his on this attempt.

It merely cements my preconceptions that I would never be a 'die hard' admirer of his work.