Trailer Trashin’: Everyone Old Is Cool Again in Red 2

We’re definitely in the early-year doldrums now, with guilty pleasures being the most we can usually expect from our new movies. On the plus side, there are still some good trailers coming out. This week’s Trailer Trashin’ takes a look at the teaser for the action-comedy sequel RED 2.

Premise: Retired CIA officer Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) and his motley crew of friends use their old-school methods to face new enemies across Europe.

My take: The action-comedy RED (2010) was an unexpected pleasant surprise when it came out a few years ago. It took what could have been a one-note joke of a concept – elderly spies having to come out of retirement – and turned it into a fun, entertaining movie. And thanks to the film’s financial success and positive critical reception, it’s gotten a sequel, something that not very many adaptations of obscure comic books can say. The first teaser for RED 2 has arrived, and it looks like a worthy follow-up.

One of the biggest factors in why RED worked so well was the excellent cast, and fortunately, most of the key players are back again. Returning for the sequel are Bruce Willis as Frank Moses, John Malkovich as Marvin Boggs, Mary-Louise Parker as Sarah Ross, Helen Mirren as Victoria, and (not seen here) Brian Cox as Ivan Simanov, and they all seem to have comfortably slipped back into their roles. There are also plenty of new faces. Catherine Zeta-Jones plays Miranda Wood, who seems to be an old flame of Frank’s. Lee Byung-hun, probably best known stateside as Storm Shadow in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009), plays a yet-unnamed villain. We briefly see the great Anthony Hopkins as Edward Bradley, who is supposed to be another villain. Not seen here are Neal McDonough as another yet-unnamed character, and David Thewlis as an information dealer nicknamed “The Frog.”

The main behind-the-camera talent also gives me reason for optimism. Jon and Erich Hoeber, the duo who wrote the first film, have both returned to pen the sequel. Taking over the directing duties this time is Dean Parisot, who is probably best known for helming the cult sci-fi comedy Galaxy Quest (1999). Parisot seems like the ideal director for this mixture of comedy with another genre, and I think he’ll do good work here.

The action also looks quite good so far. We’ve got multiple fistfights, including one between Willis and Lee inside what looks like an airplane hangar. There are several car chases, in a variety of locations. My favorite bit so far is the scene of Lee tearing up parked cars with a Gatling gun. And since this is just the teaser trailer, I’m sure there’s plenty they haven’t shown us yet.

Overall, I’m happy with what I see here. So far, it looks like the filmmakers have managed to recapture the same tone and the mix of action and comedy that made the first movie so much fun. As long as they can maintain that tone, I think we could have a very good sequel on our hands. When the beginning of August rolls around, I will certainly be checking out RED 2 at my local theater.

ANTICIPATION: I’d definitely shell out some “green” to see it.

Release Date: August 2^nd, 2013

Starring: Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Lee Byung-hun, Helen Mirren, Brian Cox, Anthony Hopkins, Neal McDonough, and David Thewlis
Director: Dean Parisot
Writers: Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber