Okay, so if you haven't figured it out yet, I am a child of the 80s and hold on dearly to the memories of that simpler, hypercolor t-shirted, hairspray-laden time. So when I hear that they are going to remake a movie that is untouchable in my mind, I have a visceral reaction.
How can you mess with something that achieved perfection during it's own little slice of time?
How can anyone else play THAT part?
How can someone think they can recapture the magic of that movie?
All these questions went through my head when I first heard they were going to remake Footloose (and don't even get me started about the Dirty Dancing--my favorite movie of all time--remake.) But at the same time, even knowing that I would probably hate it, I felt compelled to see it. I had to know what they did with it, had to know how they tried to recreate something that couldn't be recreated.
So I saw it last night and well...
*ducks head* I kind of really enjoyed it.
I know, I know. I went in there expecting to mock it, but found myself genuinely laughing. I was entertained. And no, the magic of the first one will never be recreated. It's impossible. But I have to say they did a really good job and I have no problem recommending others to go see it.
So, if you're still not convinced, here are my top reasons I think you should give it a shot...
1. They pay homage to the original without being an exact replica.
For instance, the chicken-race with tractors in the original:
In the new one, they have a chicken race and the bad guy rides a tractor for a minute (to give a nod to the original), but then they race with modified school buses instead.
2. The casting was really great.
Okay, so no one could top Kevin Bacon and Lori Singer, obviously.
But I thought they did a good job casting Julianne Hough (though she wasn't as believable as the good-girl-gone-bad as Lori was) and a great job casting Ren (Kenny Wormald). Also, they did a FABULOUS job casting Willard (Miles Teller). He was spot-on and super funny. (Original on the left, new on the right).
3. They did keep some things exact, which gave me little "aww" sentimental moments.
For instance, the outfits for the prom:
4. They developed the backstory a bit more, which made the Reverend more of a sympathetic character.
5. Being brought back in time.
Of all the things, I think what I enjoyed most was that sense of being brought back in time. I was too little to see Footloose at the movies when it originally came out, so this felt like a chance to experience a bit of what I missed. Movies were much simpler in the 80s. We've gotten really complicated with plots and special effects and such--which is fine--but sometimes it's nice to just go and simply watch something that is fun, light, and entertaining.
Oh and they even did the freeze frame shot at the end of the last scene, which I haven't seen done in a movie in ages. :) (Couldn't find a pic of the new one, so here's the original last shot.)
So did I convince you? How do you feel about these classic movie remakes? Anyone else seen this one yet?