RED 2 - B-

Rated PG-13, 116 minutes

Predictable but charming "RED 2" is nothing new but still fun

Helen Mirren

If you thought the spies in the 2010 dark comedy "RED" were too old to be spying, think again. A sequel to that 2010 hit and based on the graphic novels of the same name, "RED 2" is utterly predictable and hardly anything new, but these aging spies have a few good moves left in them. Retired black-ops CIA agent Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) reunites his unlikely team of ragtag elite operatives (John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker, Lee Byung-hun, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Helen Mirren) for a global quest to track down a missing portable nuclear device and stop an unlikely villain (Anthony Hopkins) who will disarm it. Calculated yet charming, "RED 2" isn't as good as "RED" but is a decent, entertaining action flick, thanks to a great cast and a few nice action set pieces. The original made fun of the fact that these spies were past their prime, this one uses their age to their advantage, with mixed results. The plotting and character motivation lacks the smarts and wit of the first film and makes you wonder how a 70-year old villain with a 30-year old bomb could outwit them all. Speaking of which, Hopkins is a solid addition to the mix, Zeta-Jones an annoying one while the most memorable is lithe South Korean action star Byung-hun (one of the few bright spots of "G.I. Joe: Retaliation"), who adds some real kick to the film with his high impact martial arts. "RED 2," directed by Dean Parisot ("Fun With Dick and Jane") has a charm that works well in spite of its outlandish plot and a story filled with way too many unnecessary characters or plot points we don't care about or need (as amusing as they are, both Parker and Malkovich are more distractions here), but it is worth the price of admission seeing Oscar-winner and grand dame Mirren brandish weapons as only she can do. Mildly entertaining and serviceable, "RED 2" should satisfy those who enjoyed the first one or simply in need a mindless yet pleasant diversion.

Wes's Grade: B-