RED 2

The best never rest. Everyone’s favorite Goldie Oldies (Bruce Willis, Hellen Mirren, John Malkovich, Brian Cox and newbie Anthony Hopkins) return for a second round of cars racin', bullets flyin', and....arthritis yet anyone?

Frank Moses is just trying to live a normal life with his girlfriend, Sarah Ross; grilling some hot dogs, shopping at Coscos, being blamed for the top secret Operation Nightshade.... wait, except that last part. Unfortunately for Frank, that last part is no joke. His old pal Marvin shows up to say thanks to a Wiki Leak, he and Frank have been named in conjunction with Nightshade. A lot of people and governments now want Frank, Marvin, and Sarah dead or the nuclear bomb that Nightshade was all about. Some want both. Down the comedic, spy thriller, globetrotting rabbit hole the pack goes, tracking clues to why Nightshade is so important and why everyone wants it...besides the apparent fact that its a nuclear bomb.

RED 2 is a ridiculous sequel to a ridiculous original. I loved the original and had high hopes for the follow up and potential franchise. Unfortunately RED 2 flounders where the first one flourished: humor. This sequel’s super serious (and surprisingly smart) spy thriller theme is a bad environment for really funny jokes. John Malkovich does not have nearly enough opportunities for conspiracy theories, government jokes, and outlandish schemes. Anthony Hopkins pretty much steals this show with his more-than-meets-the-eye-but-still-entirely-insane act. RED 2 isn't nearly the fun ride RED was, but it still has enough momentum to be an entertaining night at the movies.