‘RED 2’ has too much to live up to
Antiheroes are featured in this week’s new DVD releases.
• “RED 2,” C-plus: There was a playfulness to the 2010 action film “RED,” directed by Robert Schwentke, that elevated it above the standard action film offering.
Director Dean Parisot fails to find that level with this sequel. It’s still a fun action movie, but all of the aging buddy elements that made the original film such a surprise hit have been replaced with standard fight and flight sequences. Plus, the camaraderie that made the first move so much fun has given way to a disjointed mix of characters.
If there had been no “RED,” “RED 2” wouldn’t be as disappointing. In the action movie genre, it hits – and blows up – all the right buttons. It just doesn’t live up to the fun of the first.
• “Breaking Bad: The Final Season,” A: The series went out on the same high note on which it began. This tale of a chemistry teacher (Bryan Cranston) who goes from a mild-mannered father to a ruthless drug dealer is one of the finest examples of acting, writing and directing in TV history.
If you have been a fan, then this final season will fill out your collection.
The good news for those who have not watched the series is that every episode is being released in a DVD set that comes in a replica black barrel. Fans of the show will know that black barrels are the choice when it comes to hiding money.
As if you needed any other reason than just the quality of the show to buy the set, there is more than two hours of never-before-seen footage and a new documentary that chronicles the making of the final season.
Also new on DVD this week:
“Mystery Science Theater 3000: 25th Anniversary Edition”: Includes “Moon Zero Two,” “The Day the Earth Froze,” “Gorgo.”
“Jobs”: Ashton Kutcher stars in the story of the man behind Apple computers.
“Photo: A History From Behind the Lens”: Examines the past, present and future of photography.
“The Horror Show”: Even the electric chair can’t stop some serial killers.
“Bill Cosby: Far from Finished”: Bill Cosby partners up with Comedy Central for his first comedy special in over two decades.
“Getaway”: Former race car driver is pitted against the clock in an attempt to save the life of his kidnapped wife.
“Murdoch Mysteries, Season 6”: Series based on the characters from Maureen Jennings’ “Detective Murdoch” novels.
“The Snow Queen”: Animated tale based on the fairytale by Hans Christian Anderson.
“Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Series 10”: David Suchet stars as Agatha Christie’s mustachioed mystery-solver.
“Jim Breuer: And Laughter For All”: Marriage and parenthood won’t keep Jim Breuer from losing his manic sense of humor.
“Impractical Jokers: The Complete First Season”: The DVD includes all 17 episodes from the TruTV series’ first season.
“Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me”: A look at the formation of Big Star, a Memphis rock band that garnered massive critical acclaim during its brief career in the 1970s.
“JFK Assassination: The Definitive Guide”: Complexities of one of America’s most infamous tragedies are broken down.
“Old Dogs & New Tricks: Complete Seasons 1 & 2”: Series follows the friendship and tribulations of four diverse and successful West Hollywood men.
“Battle Ground”: British soldiers find themselves stranded in France after a failed charge on the German trenches.
“Knightriders”: George Romero’s film about modern-day knights who ride motorcycles instead of horses.