FOOTLOOSE (REVIEW)
Rated
M - 113 mins
Kenny Wormald, , Julianne Hough, Dennis Quaid, Andie MacDowell,
Miles Teller
'Everybody cut loose, kick off your sunday shoes, everybody
cut Footloose'.
Those familiar song words ring true in this
remake of the almighty 1984 classic starring a then young Kevin Bacon. Fans of
the original like myself may wonder why at all it had to be remade but as the
new director Craig Brewer has said, the project chose him after turning it down
twice. A third attempt of persuasion from the president of Paramount Pictures
convinced him to do it.
The new version kicks off with a horrific
car accident with an impact taking the lives of five high school seniors in a
small Tennessee town. After the distress caused amongst the locals, it is ruled
that a number of activities instantly cease, including dancing. What, a town with
no dancing, really? Enter Ren MacCormack, a city slicker new in-town and distinct
outsider. Confused by the fun police he sets out to defy authority and get the
bans abolished, especially the halt on dancing. Ren makes one friend to begin
with, the tractor loving hillbilly Willard, who has a scene stealing moment while
learning to dance.
Plenty of interest from the females around
school follow Ren in his revolt against the strict adult contingent, especially
the Reverend Moore's daughter, Ariel (Julianne Hough). This new look at Footloose
replicates scenes from the 1984 version, including updated 'hip hop' style sample
versions of the chart busting soundtrack. Kenny Loggins is not given enough air
play as far as I was concerned. However the message of Footloose remains, redemption
of loss, love, friendships and the feel good nature of youth is explored with
MTV culture dynamics.
The amateur acting is understandable
as the leads are primarily dancers, in which they certainly do a terrific job.
Replacing first choices, Zac Efron, then Chase Crawford (Gossip Girl) as Ren,
Kenny Wormald appears in practically every scene, his enthusiasm is infectious
and his acting will only get better. Fillin Gospal outrage inflicts his town but
Dennis Quaid coasts along in his usual professional stature as finger pointing
Reverend Moore.
Miles Teller as Willard, last seen opposite
Nicole Kidman in the unforgettable 'Rabbit Hole' is a certain standout among the
junior cast. Director Craig Brewer knew of the anvil over his head remaking such
a cherished film. He kept a flow of references from the original, including the
V.W beetle and those close up shots of feet moving to the irrepressible beat.
Contemporary, uplifting and much better than another recent
remake 'Fame'. Let's just hope further retro classics Flashdance or Purple Rain
are not on the re-boot Hollywood radar.
Shane
A. Bassett
