RED

4 Stars out of 5
The plot is gossamer, the dialog often silly, the action scenes over the top. No scenery went unchewed in the production of this movie. And yet I give it four stars. This has to do solely with the cast. It is such an unalloyed pleasure to see actors over the age of 30 totally dominate a film. This one features Bruce Willis,  Mary-Louise Parker, Morgan Freeman, Ernest Borgnine, John Malkovich, Brian Cox, Helen Mirren and Richard Dreyfuss (in credit order). While Dreyfuss only has what amounts to a two-scene cameo, he plays it to the hilt. Ditto Ernest Borgnine. The RED of the title refers to "Retired, Extremely Dangerous," which is what the Bruce Willis character is considered. Willis, Freeman and Malkovich are retired CIA, Mirren MI5 and Cox KGB. Parker is the love interest. Mary Louise Parker, untouched both by callow youth and the plastic surgeon's knife. I am so amazed.  How on Earth anyone in Hollywood managed to make a film about retired spies that did not cast 20 year olds in the lead roles is beyond me. But just because I can't understand it doesn't mean I'm not grateful. This film is fun to look at, fun to watch, and silly beyond description. If you don't go, you are personally responsible for the fact that Hollywood only makes movies for 13-year-old boys.