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Red (2010 film)

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Red
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRobert Schwentke
Screenplay byJon Hoeber
Erich Hoeber
Produced byLorenzo di Bonaventura
Mark Vahradian
StarringBruce Willis
Morgan Freeman
John Malkovich
Mary-Louise Parker
Richard Dreyfuss
James Remar
Helen Mirren
Karl Urban
Brian Cox
Ernest Borgnine
CinematographyFlorian Ballhaus
Edited byThom Noble
Music byChristophe Beck
Production
companies
di Bonaventura Pictures
DC Entertainment
Distributed bySummit Entertainment
(United States)
E1 Entertainment
(United Kingdom)
Release date
  • October 15, 2010 (2010-10-15)
Running time
111 minutes
CountryTemplate:Film US
LanguageEnglish
Budget$60 million (after tax credits)[1]
Box office$28,483,269

Red is an American action-comedy film loosely inspired by the three-issue comic book limited series of the same name created by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner, and published by the DC Comics imprint Homage. The film stars Bruce Willis with Robert Schwentke directing a screenplay by Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber. The film was released on October 15, 2010.[2]

In the film version, the title of the film, "Red", is derived from the stamp on agent Frank Moses' (Bruce Willis) file, meaning "retired, extremely dangerous".[3][4]

Plot

Frank Moses (Willis), a former black-ops CIA agent, is now living a quiet life in retirement. However, he begins to feel lonely and often chats on the phone with Sarah (Parker), a customer service agent working for Frank's pension office in Kansas City.

His life is disrupted when a hit squad raids his house in the middle of the night. Frank kills the assassins and, knowing they would have tapped his phone, goes to Kansas City to protect Sarah. She becomes Frank's reluctant companion while he tries to find out who is trying to kill him, and track down his old black ops team for help. Meanwhile, CIA agent William Cooper (Urban) is assigned to hunt and kill Frank.

Frank first goes to New Orleans to find his mentor Joe (Freeman), currently living in a retirement community and terminally ill, who tells him that the hit squad Frank killed were also responsible for the murder of a news reporter. While avoiding Cooper, Frank and Sarah find clues left behind by the deceased reporter, which leads them to a hit list. They then track down Marvin (Malkovich), a paranoid conspiracy theorist, to provide more information. Marvin tells them that the names on the list were all connected to a secret mission in Guatemala that Frank participated in in 1981, and that one name, Gabriel Singer, is still alive. The trio track down Singer, who tells them that the mission involved extracting a person from a village and that everybody on the list have been killed to silence them. Singer is then assassinated by a sniper, and the team makes their escape as Cooper closes in. With the help of Russian secret agent Ivan Simanov (Cox), Frank and Sarah infiltrate the CIA headquarters to steal the file but Frank is injured in the process. Joe, having escaped an attempt on his life, helps extract the team and joins them. The team hides out in Victoria's (Mirren) house for first aid. Victoria, who misses her old life as a wetwork agent, joins the team as well.

After reviewing the file, all the team can figure out is that the only man involved not on the list, Alexander Dunning (Dreyfuss), has some way of protecting himself. The team arrives at Dunning's house, where he reveals under interrogation that the mission was to extract Vice-President Robert Stanton, who at the time was a young lieutenant that experienced a breakdown and massacred the village. It becomes apparent that Stanton is trying to erase all the loose ends as he plans to run for president. At that moment, Cooper and the FBI surround Dunning's mansion. Cooper tries to negotiate Frank's surrender, but Frank tells Cooper about the vice-president's treachery, which shakes his faith. Joe sacrifices himself by taking Frank's place and pretending to give up. An unknown sniper kills Joe as he leaves the mansion, despite Cooper ordering his own men to hold fire. The confusion buys the team enough time to escape, but Sarah is captured. Frank calls Cooper and threatens to kill his family if Sarah is harmed, and that he intends to kill Stanton.

The team, along with Ivan (revealed to be Victoria's former lover), infiltrate Stanton's fundraising gala in Chicago and successfully kidnap him despite Cooper's best efforts to stop them. Frank calls Cooper and says he is willing to trade Stanton for Sarah. At the meeting point, Dunning arrives and reveals that he is the mastermind behind the assassinations and that Stanton was merely a pawn and scapegoat. Cooper's handler, Cynthia Wilkes, is also in on the plot. Disgusted with Dunning and Wilkes' greed and corruption and being used by her and Dunning, Cooper gives Moses the key to his handcuffs and shoots Wilkes while Marvin and Victoria kill Dunning's bodyguards, and Frank kills Dunning. Cooper agrees to let Frank and his team go. As they leave the scene, Frank and Sarah are eager to start a new life together.

The final scene shows Frank and Marvin in Moldova, fleeing from Moldovan Army troops with a stolen nuclear device, in a wooden wheelbarrow with Marvin wearing a dress being pushed by Frank, as part of returning a favor to Ivan for his help.

Cast

Production

In June 2008 Summit Entertainment announced plans to adapt Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner's Red. Red was adapted for the big screen by brothers Erich and Jon Hoeber, who also wrote the adaptations of Whiteout and Alice. The project was being produced by Lorenzo di Bonaventura (GI Joe, Transformers).[13]

By April 2009, Bruce Willis was reportedly in discussions with Summit to take the starring role of Frank Moses.[14] It was reported in July 2009 that Morgan Freeman is in talks to co-star alongside Bruce Willis in the film.[15] Also in July 2009, Robert Schwentke, the director of The Time Traveler's Wife, was in negotiations to direct Red.[16] In August 2009 Schwentke confirmed to MTV News that he was onboard. He stated that he loved the script but there are differences between the comic and the movie stating; "It's very funny, which the comic book isn't ... It's not as violent as the comic book," and that "The script that I've read is obviously different from the comic, because I don't think the comic gives you enough for a two-hour movie,".[5]

In November 2009 it was reported that Helen Mirren will work alongside Freeman and Willis in the film.[6] It was also reported in November 2009 that John C. Reilly and Mary-Louise Parker are in negotiations to join the cast. Reilly would play a retired CIA agent who is paranoid that everyone is out to kill him. Parker would play the romantic interest, a federal pension worker who becomes embroiled in the Willis character's struggle to stay alive.[17] In the same month Julian McMahon, Ernest Borgnine, Richard Dreyfuss and Brian Cox entered negotiations to join the cast. McMahon would play the Vice President with a dark side who is at the center of a shadow conspiracy. Borgnine will play the keeper of the CIA’s darkest records, while Dreyfuss will be a wealthy man who builds a fortune out of lucrative government contracts. Cox is a former Cold War spy and nemesis of Willis.[10]

In December 2009 creator Warren Ellis stated on his mailing list that "(I) Read the RED script. Not bad. Not the book, but not bad. Funny. Especially when you know the casting. Very tight piece of work. Talked to the producers last week. They're all kind of giddy over the casting coups. Who wouldn't want to see Helen Mirren with a sniper rifle?".[18] Also in December 2009 Summit Entertainment announced a release date of October 22nd 2010.[19] The same month James Remar had been cast in an unspecified role.[12] Karl Urban plays the role of "Cooper".[9] In January 2010 it was reported that John Malkovich has signed to star opposite Bruce Willis in Red. Malkovich is stepping in for John C. Reilly, who exited the role in late December. The part will allow Malkovich to exercise his comic sensibilities.[8]

Principal photography began on Red on January 18, 2010 in Toronto, Canada. Red was filmed in and around the Toronto metropolitan area for nine weeks before moving on to the road and ending in New Orleans in late March for the final two weeks of principal photography.[2] Filming in the French Quarter of New Orleans commenced in March 2010.[20] Additional photography was shot for a post-credits scene in Louisiana in August 2010.[21] The film was released worldwide on October 15, 2010.

Release

Marketing

Mirren and Willis at a panel for the film at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2010

A teaser trailer for the film was released in June 2010.[22] The first full trailer debuted in July 2010 at the San Diego Comic-Con International.[7]

Critical reception

Reception for the film has been mostly positive. Red has a 71% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 140 reviews with an average rating of 6.4/10.[23] Metacritic gave the film a score of 60% based based on a normalized rating of 34 reviews.[24]

Justin Chang of Variety stated Red is "An amusing, light-footed caper about a team of aging CIA veterans rudely forced out of retirement".[25] John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter stated "Although tailor-made for genre fans, it benefits from flavors of humor and romance that keep its appeal from being fanboy-only".[26]

Critics of the film include Roger Ebert who gave the film two stars out of four, stating that it's "neither a good movie nor a bad one. It features actors we like doing things we wish were more interesting."[27]

Box office

In its weekend opening Red earned an estimated $22.5 million on around 4,100 screens at 3,255 locations, coming in second behind Jackass 3-D.[28]

References

  1. ^ Fritz, Ben (2010-10-14). "Movie Projector: Bruce Willis gunning for Johnny Knoxville as 'Red' opens against 'Jackass 3-D'". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved 2010-10-16.
  2. ^ a b c d "Red Begins Principal Photography". /Film. 2010-01-18. Retrieved 18-01-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  3. ^ ""Collider Goes to the Set of RED (Retired Extremely Dangerous) – Plus Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura On Set Interview"". Collider.com. 2010-05-7. Retrieved 2010-08-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ Wallace, Lewis, "Malkovich, Mirren Go for Explosive Laughs in Sleeper Spy Movie Red", Wired, July 24, 2010
  5. ^ a b "EXCLUSIVE: Robert Schwentke's 'Red' Adaptation To Be A 'Funny' Take On Warren Ellis' Story". MTV Splash Page. 04-08-2009. Retrieved 20-01-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ a b "Casting Notes: Alan Cumming in Burlesque; Mirren Does Espionage; Dempsey Steals Laughs; Weaver and Shawkat Hit Cedar Rapids". /Film. 04-11-2009. Retrieved 19-01-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  7. ^ a b c Kellvin Chavez (2010-07-22). "SDCC 2010: New RED Trailer". Latino Review. Retrieved 2010-07-23.
  8. ^ a b "John Malkovich signs on for 'Red'". The Hollywood Reporter. 10-01-2010. Retrieved 19-01-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help) [dead link]
  9. ^ a b Rob M. Worley (2009-12-21). "TREK Doc cast in RED". mania.com. Retrieved 20-01-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  10. ^ a b c d e "Julian McMahon sees 'Red'". The Hollywood Reporter. 12-11-2009. Retrieved 19-01-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help) [dead link]
  11. ^ RorMachine (2010-08-24). "First Look At Brian Cox In Red". Comic Book Movie. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
  12. ^ a b Justin Kroll (2009-12-14). "James Remar". Variety. Retrieved 20-01-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ "Warren Ellis' Red and Ocean Headed to the Big Screen". /Film. 12-06-2008. Retrieved 19-01-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help)
  14. ^ "Bruce Willis is living hard". Risky Business. 2009-04-29. Retrieved 20-01-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)[dead link]
  15. ^ "Morgan Freeman Joins The Big Screen Adaptation of Warren Ellis' Red". /Film. 2009-07-19. Retrieved 19-01-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  16. ^ "Director closes in on 'Red'". The Hollywood Reporter. 2009-07-28. Retrieved 20-01-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help) [dead link]
  17. ^ "John C. Reilly, Mary-Louise Parker seeing 'Red'". The Hollywood Reporter. 04-11-2009. Retrieved 19-01-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help) [dead link]
  18. ^ Warren Ellis (2009-11-30). "BAD SIGNAL Ungh". Retrieved 19-01-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  19. ^ "Red Gets 2010 Release Date". /Film. 2009-12-17. Retrieved 19-01-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  20. ^ "RED Movie Set Pictures". ComicBookMovie.com. 2010-03-31. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
  21. ^ "Willis, Malkovich head south for quick 'Red' shoot (exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. 2010-08-19. Retrieved 2010-08-23. [dead link]
  22. ^ "Exclusive Teaser Trailer". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2010-06-24.
  23. ^ "Red Movie Reviews, Pictures". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
  24. ^ "Red (2010): Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 2010-10-15.
  25. ^ Chang, Justin (2010-09-29). "Red". Variety. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
  26. ^ John DeFore (2010-09-29). "Red -- Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
  27. ^ Roger Ebert (2010-10-13). "Red". rogerebert.com. Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
  28. ^ Gray, Brandon (2010-10-17). "'Jackass' Crashes Into Fall Record". Box Office Mojo. Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-10-18.
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