RED DAWN
Starring : Chris Hemsworth, Josh Peck, Josh Hutcherson, Adrianne Palicki, Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Director: Dan Bradley
A group of Teenagers band together to save their town from the invading North Korean Army.
The latest film to have a reboot done is the 1984 cult classic Red Dawn which was released during the heart of the cold war a time when Russia was referred to as an “Evil Empire”. This time filling in for Russia is North Korea under the rule of Kim Jong Un . Some last minute changes were made since the film was filmed 3 years ago and set for release in 2010 until MGM filed for bankruptcy shelving Red Dawn as well as the other Hemsworth film “The Cabin in The Woods”. Interestingly enough if filmed today they probably wouldn’t have been able to put together such a popular cast after the success of Hunger Games and Thor. This is a cast that is equal to the iconic cast of the original
A lot of people hold the original in such esteem that the thought of a reboot is a travesty. I was pleased when the worst part of the film is Hutchersons pathetic “Wolverines” Scream that has the resounding excitement and aggression of a little girl who just got an Easy-Bake oven for Christmas rather than a man who just graduated from being weak and afraid to a protector and killer.
Keeping the essential elements of the story while updating it for this generation, the use of technology and a new foe all work extremely well and to good effect. A lot of the ridiculousness of the original was replaced there is no C. Thomas Howell uselessly shooting at 3 helicopters with a machine gun. This is a much more urban fight than the wide open expanses of the first, yet the essence of the original is maintained. There is even a tipping of the hat to the infamous spirit deer scene from the original.
There is a great balance between action and emotion which propels the story; it’s a foregone conclusion that Red Dawn requires a huge suspension of disbelief. It’s not believable but you know that going in. It’s a fun ride.
Grade-84
This was a greatmovie review. This is one of the few remakes that I enjoyed more than the original.