Tonight's Movie: RED 2 (2013)

Last summer I enjoyed an action movie marathon which included RED (2010), about a group of one-time spies forced out of retirement.

RED 2 (2013) is more of the same, and in fact I might have found it even funnier than the original.

Former CIA spy Frank (Bruce Willis) and his girlfriend Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker) are living a quiet life in suburbia when Frank's wacky former colleague Marvin (John Malkovich) shows up at their local Costco. The trio don't make it out of the parking lot before their lives are turned upside down once more, and before you know it they're traipsing all over Europe, with one or two hit men -- or women -- on their heels.

British killer Victoria (Helen Mirren) is one of those asked to bump off Frank and Sarah, but being Frank's pal she gives him fair notice. Han Cho Bai (Byung-hun Lee) is also after Frank, adding an interesting new character to the mix.

And speaking of new characters, Frank's old flame Katja (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is around, trying to make Sarah jealous, and Brian Cox returns as Victoria's Soviet spy beau Ivan. Anthony Hopkins, Tim Piggott-Smith, and effectively creepy Neal McDonough are also in the cast.

The plot could have been tightened up, as its 116 minutes go on a little long, but for the most part it's quite enjoyable and entertaining. The interplay between Willis, Parker, and Malkovich is especially good, as Frank tries to keep Sarah away from the action but the giddy, willing Sarah is all too happy to learn the spy trade from the wild and crazy Marvin. Her reaction when Frank presents her with a gun near movie's end is delightful.

Everyone on screen seems to be having a good time, and this viewer did as well.

RED 2 was directed by Dean Parisot and filmed by Enrique Chediak. The score was by Alain Silvestri.

Parental Advisory: RED 2 is rated PG-13 for action including "frenetic gunplay" (really?) and some language. It's about what you'd expect, not for the little ones but at the same time it's strictly non-bloody cartoon violence.

RED 2 is available on DVD, Blu-ray, and via Amazon Instant Video.