Red

The image of Helen Mirren brandishing an automatic weapon does not evaporate easily, and it’s just one of the highlights of Red—albeit the only one that veers off the well-traveled paths of its stars. The title is G-man code for “Retired Extremely Dangerous,” used specifically to indicate Frank Moses (Bruce Willis), who is sought out by his former employers at the CIA after he has settled into a quiet, boring life in Cleveland. Once he realizes the government is out to get him for reasons that aren’t immediately clear, Frank calls in a few favors to old friends (Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich and a seriously strapped Dame Mirren). The plot is silly spy-revenge stuff; it couldn’t matter less. But the CIA backdrop offers the actors a chance to blow up plenty of scenery, figuratively and literally. Sometimes, that’s enough for your $10.