Red (2010)

“Red” is actually, apparently, “R.E.D.” – as in Retired Extremely Dangerous. Or something like that. It’s a comic book movie without the tights and powers, but with plenty of over-the-top action that makes “The A-Team” seem as tame as “Jane Eyre.” The catch – the raison d’etre -- is the casting. Not Bruce Willis in the lead. We’ve all seen him mow down 106 bad guys and blow-up office skyscrapers. Yawn. But Helen Mirren with a sniper rifle? John Malkovich with a grenade launcher? Morgan Freeman slapping people? Wee! It’s The AARP Team. Plot: Mirren, Freeman and Malkovich help Willis’ newly retired CIA killer avoid being hunted by his former employer (led by Karl Urban of “Star Trek.”) over a massive government whoops. The flick is a goofy blast when the guns are blazing and fireballs booming. It’s a snore when anyone opens their mouth to talk. The director, whoever that is, enjoys throwing up juvenile CGI postcards to help the pace. Dumb idea. Bonus points: Ernest Borgnine plays word games as a vault keeper, and is a blast of fresh air. At age 93. All hail McHale! B-