Red Parent Guide
The average age of this all-star cast makes it unlikely that most teens or even young adults will be rushing out to catch this movie. Yet older audiences might appreciate this action adventure.
Parent Movie Review
It seems that putting spies out to pasture is one thing. But ridding them of their lust for action is another. While most of the retired agents in Red attempt to adapt to civilian life, it is often an unsuccessful struggle. Still Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) tries. He’s even fallen in love with a mousy cubicle worker in the agency’s payroll department. And each month when his paycheck from the U.S. Government arrives in his mailbox, he calls into the office with a complaint as an excuse to talk to Sarah Ross (Mary-Louise Parker).
But his transition to a normal existence is interrupted when he discovers someone has put a price on his head. Not knowing who or why, he recognizes that Sarah’s life may be in danger as well because of their frequent phone calls. Though he’s never met her face-to-face, he slips into her apartment, kidnaps her and then takes her on a wild road trip where they meet up with three of his former cohorts, Joe Matheson (Morgan Freeman), Marvin Boggs (John Malkovich) and Victoria (Helen Mirren).
Although these seasoned agents might be on the pension plan, they haven’t lost any of their skills when it comes to killing. With a host of young CIA and FBI agents on their trail, these aging undercover operatives pull out all their tricks to avoid being shot while they track down the person who issued their death sentences. And though Frank and his friends suffer some bloody injuries during their shoot-outs, they are far more capable of hitting their targets than are the newer recruits at the agency. Most of those guys aren’t so lucky and, as a result, the body count in this film is huge. Unfortunately, this violence often has a flippant feel to it, especially when these highly trained assassins make jokes about the impact of their bloody careers.
Based on the comic book Red, this film adaptation (which takes several liberties with the original story) may be disappointing to fans of the series. As well, the average age of this all-star cast makes it unlikely that most teens or even young adults will be rushing out to catch this movie. Yet older audiences (those who can stomach the violence and often unbelievable stunts pulled off by these more mature characters) might appreciate this action adventure. At least they’ll see veteran actors having a great time playing characters who demand the respect their years of service deserve.
Directed by Robert Schwentke. Starring Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker. Running time: 112 minutes. Theatrical release October 15, 2010. Updated July 17, 2017
Red
Rating & Content Info
Why is Red rated PG-13? Red is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for intense sequences of action violence and brief strong language.
Violence: Characters in this film are shot, blown up, beaten and frequently threatened with weapons. A man attacks and kills three intruders, one with an apparently lethal injection. He later kills a large group of men by booby-trapping his home. A woman is kidnapped and tied up. Government agents later capture and interrogate her. A man is hanged. A character is given an envelope of severed fingers. A bloody crime scene is shown. A number of characters suffer bloody injuries. Two men engage in a brutal fistfight and both receive serious injuries. Characters are tasered.
Sexual Content: A woman comments about her sexual orientation. Couples embrace and kiss infrequently. A woman wears a low cut top. Brief, mild sexual comments are made.
Language: The script includes a strong sexual expletive used in a nonsexual context and crude hand gesture, along with over two-dozen vulgarities, some scatological slang and terms of Deity.
Alcohol / Drug Use: Comments are made about a man who was repeatedly subjected to illegal drugs during a government experiment. Characters drink socially on several occasions.
Other: One character bemoans the fact that he hasn’t killed anyone for years. A poster of a pinup girl is seen in a government building. A cracking sound is heard when a character has a dislocated bone put back in place.
Page last updated July 17, 2017
Red Parents' Guide
One character comments that some things become less important as he grows older. What things have become more or less important for you over time? Why do we often view things differently with age?
What adjustments come with retirement? How can a person prepare for this time?
What does this story say about the importance of older people? Do you think this segment of society is undervalued? What does this group have to offer?
Home Video
The most recent home video release of Red movie is January 24, 2011. Here are some details…
Red: Special Edition releases to DVD and Blu-ray on January 24, 2011, with the following bonus extras:
- Deleted and Extended Scenes
- Access Red: Immersive 6-part interactive feature including pop up trivia, videos, interviews and more
- CIA Exposed
- Audio Commentary with retired CIA Field Officer Robert Baer
Related home video titles:
Ernest Borgnine, who stars as the agency’s secret record keeper, won a 1956 Leading Man Oscar for his role in the romantic comedy Marty. He also plays a detective in the 1972 film The Poseidon Adventure. Bruce Willis takes on another character who has limited personal relationships because he, and others in his society, experience life through their Surrogates.