Review of RED 2 (2013) by Jc E — 10 Apr 2014

I'll just start off by saying that this isn't nearly as satisfying as the first one. However, it's still got enough punch to be entertaining. Bruce Willis (G.I. Joe: Retaliation), John Malkovich (Warm Bodies), Mary-Louise Parker (R.

I.P.D.), Helen Mirren (Hitchcock), and Brian Cox (The Campaign) all return to their roles, and are joined by new blood like Catherine Zeta-Jones (Rock of Ages), Anthony Hopkins (Thor: The Dark World), Neal McDonough (Captain America: The First Avenger), and the dexterous Byung-hun Lee (G.

I. Joe: Retaliation). Honestly, it's Mirren, Zeta-Jones, and Hopkins that steal the show, but only in bit parts. Lee's definitely got skills, but I would've liked to have seen Jackie Chan in his role, just for grins.

Willis, Malkovich, and Parker are apt, but never really jive. It's fun in parts, drags in others. It may not be the best sequel to a surprise hit (though, the fact that there was a sequel was no surprise), but it's serviceable enough to warrant at least one viewing.