RED 2 Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "RED 2" in AVC encoded 1080p transfer at a 2.40:1 aspect ratio, provided by Lionsgate Films and Summit Entertainment, showcases a filmic quality that enhances its visual appeal, attributed to its shoot on film. The sharpness akin to a digital-like clarity, with minimal grain, elevates the detail in outdoor settings of Paris and London remarkably. Notably, the vibrancy of colors, such as the deep saturation seen in exterior scenes and the lifelike flesh tones of the cast, stands out, ensuring the visuals leap off the screen with dynamic intensity. The contrast, however, exhibits some inconsistency, particularly in darker indoor scenes like those set in the Kremlin's interiors, which tend to appear softer and affect the distinction of shadows.

Despite these few moments of softness and variable black levels, the Blu-ray manages to avoid major pitfalls like artifacting or edge enhancement, maintaining a consistently clean and precise presentation across varied scenarios. A minor point of contention arises with certain scenes evidently shot against green-screen backdrops, where the compositing slightly disrupts the otherwise seamless realism due to color timing issues and visible outlines indicating green-screen utilization. Yet, these moments are few and do not significantly detract from the overall high-quality video experience.

In essence, "RED 2" shines on Blu-ray with its striking sharpness and depth of detail that enhances both the urban landscapes and the intimate close-ups of characters. The presentation flawlessly conveys the texture of the film’s dynamic environments and maintains the authenticity of its action sequences. Lionsgate's efforts in delivering this visually sumptuous experience are commendable, making it an impressive showcase for fans and enthusiasts looking to enjoy "RED 2" with exceptional video quality.

The audio experience of "RED 2" on Blu-ray, delivered through its DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 mix, constitutes a forceful auditory journey marked by an exceptional level of detail and a wide dynamic range. The soundtrack storms through with a relentless barrage of action-packed sequences, balancing over-the-top effects, such as the thunderous roar of Lee's repeating cannon, with subtler sounds, including the sinister hiss of acid dissolving a body. Noteworthy is how the LFE channel brings life to the film's explosive moments—helicopters bellowing overhead, cars zooming down freeways—ensuring that each rumble and shock wave is not just heard but felt. Despite the occasional loss of dialogue clarity due to overlapping conversations, fidelity remains uncompromised, accentuating every whisper and scream with vivid clarity.

However, the track exhibits a slight restraint that prevents it from achieving the immersive experience expected from such an action-heavy title. This results in a technically proficient yet marginally lacking 'oomph' in the lower frequencies and a somewhat predictable activation of the rear channels. Only during quintessential action scenes do these elements noticeably kick into gear, creating a sense of missed opportunity for envelopment outside these moments. This doesn't detract significantly from the overall proficiency of the audio presentation but rather suggests a demure approach to an otherwise dynamic mix.

Accompanying the main 7.1 track, the Blu-ray offers a Dolby 2.0 option optimized for quieter night-time viewing, along with an English Descriptive Audio track and a Spanish Dolby 5.1 track, ensuring accessibility and convenience for a variety of listening scenarios. Subtitles in English SDH, English, and Spanish further enhance the viewing experience, making "RED 2" not only DEMO-worthy but also remarkably inclusive in its audio offerings.

The extra section of the "RED 2" Blu-ray edition, while filled with standard offerings, has its moments of intrigue and amusement. The highlight is "The Red 2 Experience", encompassing a series of behind-the-scenes featurettes that, albeit EPK-like, provide a decent insight into the film's production aspects such as cast insights, stunt choreography, and weaponry. Despite the potential for laughs, the Gag Reel disappoints with an overemphasis on Bruce Willis's antics and a barrage of unnecessary foul language, which seems out of sync with the film's PG-13 rating. The Deleted Scenes offer a few extra moments with the cast, notably Helen Mirren, but they ultimately do not contribute significantly to the overall narrative. Additionally, a promotional segment titled "Also from Lionsgate" offers another opportunity to view the film's trailers but adds little value to the package. Overall, while the extras might not dazzle, they provide a fitting enough complement to the main feature for fans and completists.

Extras included in this disc:

• The Red 2 Experience: A compilation of behind-the-scenes featurettes covering various aspects of production.
• Gag Reel: A collection of bloopers and humorous on-set moments.
• Deleted Scenes: A selection of scenes not included in the final cut of the film.
• Also from Lionsgate: Promotional trailers for "RED 2" included as part of the Blu-ray release.

"Red 2" strides back into the world of retired, yet extremely dangerous operatives with a blend of action and comedy that somewhat misses the high mark set by its predecessor. This time, the merry band of former agents finds themselves tangled in a convoluted plot revolving around a secretive operation known as Nightshade. The charm and novelty of the original "Red" are somewhat diluted here, burdened by an overambitious script and a barrage of action sequences that, while impressively orchestrated across glamorous European locales—such as Paris, London, and Moscow—sometimes feel more exhausting than exhilarating. The addition of new characters like Catherine Zeta-Jones's Katya and Anthony Hopkins's scientist veers unevenly between adding depth and cluttering the narrative.

At the heart of "Red 2" remains its stellar cast, who bring their A-game despite the film's inconsistencies. Bruce Willis reprises his role as Frank Moses with his characteristic blend of stoicism and wit, while John Malkovich delivers another delightfully off-kilter performance as Marvin. Helen Mirren once again steals the show with her blend of elegance and deadliness, proving that age is but a number when it comes to action heroics. Mary-Louise Parker's Sarah brings a refreshing normalcy to the spy jinks, providing grounding moments of humor and heart amidst the chaos. The film tries to balance its comedic and action elements with varying degrees of success, at times capturing the quirky spirit of the original while at others seeming to try too hard to replicate its formula.

Technically, "Red 2" shines with its on-location shoots adding authenticity to the globe-trotting adventure and its action sequences buzzing with energy. Yet, the film's pacing occasionally stumbles under the weight of its complex plot and frequent shifts in tone. Despite these misgivings, there is undeniable fun to be had watching this ensemble cast play off each other, even if the script doesn't always provide them with solid ground. "Red 2" might not recapture all the magic of its first outing but offers enough laughs and thrills to warrant a watch, especially for fans eager to spend more time with these beloved characters.

"Red 2," while striving to mimic the charm and action-packed sequences of its predecessor, lands in a realm of mixed emotions with its sequel attempt. While it doesn't quite capture the original's magic, the film delivers enough entertainment to keep viewers engaged even as it wavers under the weight of its own ambition. The ensemble cast shines, particularly in moments of unforced humor, such as Helen Mirren's memorable bathtub scene or John Malkovich's eccentricity, providing a strong backbone to a storyline that sometimes feels overly convoluted. The dynamic action set pieces, featuring commendable location shoots in Paris and London, will undoubtedly satisfy action aficionados. However, the Blu-ray release leaves something to be desired in terms of supplemental material, though it excels with outstanding video and audio quality that showcases the film’s technical achievements remarkably well.

Critics have noted that "Red 2"'s overreliance on extended action sequences and a complex plot detracts from its footing as a comedy-centered action movie. Bruce Willis's performance has also drawn attention; his somewhat lackluster presence contrasts sharply with the vibrancy brought by the supporting actors, who appear to relish their roles with greater enthusiasm. This dichotomy points towards a sequel that could have surpassed its original if not for a palpable sense of trying too hard to recapture the original’s spark without embracing its own identity fully.

In conclusion, "Red 2" stands out for its high-caliber production values, with demo-worthy video and sound qualities that make it a technical delight. Nevertheless, the film strays into territories of redundancy and underutilized potential, overshadowed by a complex narrative and lengthened action sequences that muddle its comedic essence. Fans of the franchise may find moments of enjoyment and nostalgia, but newcomers and those looking for a coherent blend of laughs and thrills might find it lacking. Despite these misgivings, the quality of its Blu-ray presentation warrants attention, making it a mixed bag worthy of consideration for aficionados of genre and technical enthusiasts alike.