Many people were doubting that Paramount could really remake such an iconic 80’s film as Footloose and expect it to be any good with audiences. To those naysayers, I say: Go see the movie, ’cause you are missing out! The film takes a lot of liberties in order to make the remake appealing to GenX audiences, but instead of detracting from the film, it makes it better, something you can imagine happening even today. There’s no one moment where Rev. Shaw realizes that things need to change (like the book-burning scene in the original 1984 movie), but I think that this movie almost doesn’t need it. The modern music helps draw audiences in, and the more ethnically diverse cast members help solidify the film.
You can actually believe this film could happen somewhere in Georgia.
Just two comments I’d like to make before I’m done: one is that Ariel (Julianne Hough) looks and sounds like Miley Cyrus without the salvia, and Ren’s (Kenny Wormald) Boston accent is hard to find at times. Still, both could have some great careers in film, especially Wormald. Also, am I the only one who sees parallels between Bomont and the Prohibition? I keep wondering why they don’t put Prohibition in Ren’s argument! It’s a valid point about a religiously-motivated law that fails miserably and needed to be taken down.
Rami Ungar The Writer 