If there is one thing that action cinema over the years has taught us, it is that you are never too old to break some limbs or pump someone full of lead.

Whether it is the likes of Sylvester Stallone, Harrison Ford or even Clint Eastwood dishing out some much-deserved retribution, on-screen mayhem has often been a veteran's game.

But that mantra seems to be getting an even bigger airing at the movies in 2010, thanks in part to the Expendables and now RED, which revels in ageist gags and in-jokes.

I must admit I approached this one with high hopes, having lapped up the Warren Ellis graphic novel back in the day.

And although, sadly, the tone of the film is far removed from the hard-hitting action on the page, there is still plenty to enjoy.

In case you are wondering, RED stands for Retired, Extremely Dangerous and is a title bestowed on former CIA special ops who are now living a life of leisure but can still very much handle themselves in a fight.

That point is hammered home in an explosive opening that sees recluse Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) dispose of a team of agents who arrive at his home to take him out.

Moses then finds himself up to his neck in conspiracy theories that involve politicians, black ops and arms dealers, all tied to a mission he and his team carried out many moons ago.

Determined to both survive and clear his name, Moses decides to reassemble his old team and set about uncovering the truth.

And this is where the humour comes in, as the films unspools as a series of set pieces that allow each member of the team to take centre stage.

And what a cast they have managed to put together here, as we get to see John Malkovich, Morgan Freeman and even Helen Mirren tool up to dish out some justice.

Obviously we know Willis can do this kind of stuff in his sleep but to see the likes of Mirren brandishing a sub-machine gun is a real joy.

The cast was obviously having a great time and that chemistry shines on screen.

And the acting prowess does not stop there, with the likes of Brian Cox and Richard Dreyfuss also joining the fray and soon to be Judge Dredd Karl Urban providing some menace as a CIA agent hot on their tails.

There is no doubting that the film is entertaining and the big-budget action sequences certainly deliver.

But throughout the pacy jaunt I had a funny feeling something was missing and days later writing this review I still feel that way.

Perhaps it was the smoothing of the more violent edges of the graphic novel that perturbed me, or maybe I was simply not in the mood.

But, whatever the reason, I consider RED to be a good movie rather than a great one.