So ? last might I was invited to an early screening of the new Footloose remake film and, to be honest, I was very resistant to the idea of even seeing the film. I am SUCH a big fan of the original 1984 film, which stars Kevin Bacon in his break-out role, that I had pretty much convinced myself that any remake would be terrible ? and outright pointless. So many other remake films are so disappointing, I assumed the same would be true for Footloose. But, I decided I should prolly see the film before I formed an opinion in order to be fair. I have to tell you, I am so glad I saw the movie because I actually liked the remake ? a lot! I know, I wouldn?t believe it either if I heard this from someone else but it?s true. Click below to read why I loved the new version of Footloose ? and why you may love it, too.
Spoiler alert ? the original Kenny Loggins version of the song Footloose opens the film. Like the original film, there are many shots that are focused on dancing feet in order to set the tone of the film. The message is loud and clear ? this new Footloose is very much like the original Footloose ? and therein lies the inherent charm. As much as I love the original film, there is no denying that there is a huge cheese factor about the film. I mean, we?re talking about a town where dancing is illegal ? and kids have to dance illegally in order to rebel. In the original film, we hear why that silly law was put into place (a group of teenagers got drunk, went dancing and died in a car crash) but in this remake we actually see the accident take place. The scene is very jolting ? and it makes the audience understand why the city went overboard with all of the laws. It was at this point, after I danced around in my seat to the familiar sound of Kenny Loggins singing, that I started to warm up considerably to this film. One of the things I love about watching the old Footloose is that I can quote the lines ? well good news, for those of you who like to do the same ? much of the dialogue and many of the scenes are exact replicas of the original. This may turn off some viewers but for me, it just made the movie feel all the more comfortable. I will say that the new film prolly didn?t need to be quite so faithful with the duplicate scenes (I?d say about 75% of the film is based on the original) and if I have one complaint about the film it?s that the duplication might be too heavy-handed ? but not enough to turn me off. It was very smart to cast dancers in the lead roles. Kenny Wormald as Ren McCormack not only looks like Ren (aka Kevin Bacon) but he has the dancing skills to pull off the role perfectly. I?m sorry, there is no WAY that original star Chace Crawford could?ve pulled off this role. If he kept the role and made this movie, I?m convinced it would?ve sucked. Julianne Hough as Arial ? and forgive me 80s gods for saying this ? is, IMHO, a better Arial than Lori Singer was in the original. She really plays the part of hellcat rebel very well and, naturally, she also has the dancing ability to make the role work. The very familiar ?Let?s Hear It For the Boy? scene where Willard learns how to dance is just so damn cute ? I loved everything about it. I also loved the updates/changes to the story. Some characters are missing, others are changed considerably but the movie still feels believable and modern. I went in to see this movie with a HUGE CHIP on my shoulder but that chip was eased off slowly but surely as the movie unfolded. Once I let it go, I was able to really enjoy myself. This movie doesn?t try to surpass the original, but it did feel like it was doing everything it could to pay respectful homage to the original in a way that would appeal to a new audience (i.e. kids who have never seen the original film). I would argue that this remake is not meant as a replacement for the original ? it?s just a version of the story that borrows heavily from the original in order to entertain a whole new audience. The echoes of the original, at least for me, were charming enough that I felt comfortable with the story and characters that I?ve known and loved for almost 30 years but updated enough to offer something new. EVEN THO I was very reluctant and quite doubtful that I would enjoy this remake, it still managed to impress me ? and no one is more surprised than I am. I could actually feel myself warming up to it ? I can only imagine people who go in without overwhelming prejudice might like it even more. Make no mistake, there will be those who will hate this film and they will likely be very vocal about that hatred (had I not seen the movie, that person might?ve been me). But in this instance, I was impressed ? and to be honest, it?s a film that I would watch again and again ? just like the original Footloose.
Okay ? review over. I?m dying for others to see this new Footloose cuz I want to hear other opinions so ? please, fill me in.
Tonight ? no plans. I think David and I will go out but, then again, we could just get lazy and not :) It?s Friday, y?all !!! Have a GREAT weekend!!
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