There wasn't enough of the good stuff and a little too much of the bland stuff.
I'm currently in an English Composition class, and let me just say, that first sentence just wouldn't fly. So I will revise my statement. "Red" is a film that observes nuances very well. Bruce Willis' character stands in his front lawn and glances up and down the street. He notices something is lacking, causing his house to stand out. After remedying the oversight, a look of satisfaction comes over his face. It is details like this that make "Red" an enjoyable little movie. Unfortunately the subject matter, retired CIA agents, seems like a retread. One cliché leads to another. Tired, worn-out elements overwhelm the fresh, quirky humor. There are plenty of laughs, quite a few entertaining moments, but overall there's nothing new here. I think that Morgan Freeman, Bruce Willis and John Malkovich make movies better by just being present. This movie had a lot going for it, just not enough to make it better than 'just OK'.
I wrote that review almost a month ago, I just realized that it has been sitting waiting to be posted...
I saw "The Pirates of Penzance" around the same time, but this review is fresh off my brain:
There are many ways I could approach "The Pirates of Penzance". Unlike some in the family it has probably been 10 years since I last saw this movie. Mom had a good point though, the film transfer make it a completely different experience no matter how recently or often (frequently) you've seen the movie. The colors are vibrant, the full screen is there and the sound is wonderful. For our family the nostalgia of this movie is unavoidable (and even if it was avoidable, why would anyone want to avoid such a great movie?) I sat down and watched it with Jude one evening, and it is interesting to share the experience with the next generation. Of course I love the movie because of the good memories it stirs up. Even the corniest, most ridiculous lines and moments are hilarious to me. Yet, as a self-proclaimed critic, I believe that I am able, on some level, to analyze the movie somewhat impartially. But honestly, as I sit here, I cannot think of one thing I would change about the movie. Sure, some of the musical numbers are not as strong as others, but they are are so interwoven that the film would be seriously lacking with any omissions. I seem to remember some dislike for the "Hail Poetry" interlude. I would argue that without that song, "The Pirates of Penzance" would cease to exist. It might not be as cherished as "I Am A Pirate King" or "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major General", but when those characters, stop at the moment they do, and in one voice proclaim "Hail Poetry", it sends shivers down my spine. Jude liked the movie. He especially (spoiler!) liked that Frederic is only five years and a little bit older. Of course even a month later I sing that I am a pirate king at least 17 times every day, but hey, there's worse things I could be singing right?
