Footloose (2011)

I was not happy when I heard about this remake. I loved the original, because it's one of the few dance films that truly emphasizes the love of dance, over looking stylish and sexy and cool. It was about just enjoying it, not being the best dancer and knowing all the cool steps. All the charm and fun and joy of the first is gone from this new version and replaced with sexed up dancing. It's all about being the best dancer and looking good. On top of that, the soundtrack was all over the place. It had R&B and then the next scene would be hardcore country. Just a weird mix. Oh, and don't get me started on the remixed footloose. Disappointing.

Even when being viewed as just a stand alone dance film, it wasn't great. The acting was terrible. You didn't care at all about anyone in this movie. They changed some plot points around, and as a result, some of the "tension" felt forced and frankly pointless.

I didn't even check out the special features. I just wanted this crap out of my DVD player.

VIDEO:

This 2011 version of Footloose arrives at blu ray with MPEG-4 AVC 1080p 2.35:1 encode. The picture is wonderfully crisp with outstanding clarity. The image retains a natural layer of grain, resulting in a film-accurate representation. Fine detail is wonderful: whether the texture of blue jeans; cowboy hats; human faces; the dirt on the road; pavement; foliage; building façades; or the dings, dents, and worn paint on vehicles; there's never a surface that's not superbly reproduced. Colours and skin tones are natural and balanced. Blacks are inky too. This is a wonderful video presentation. (4.5/5)

AUDIO:

The DTS-HD MA 5.1 lossless soundtrack is loud and dynamic, and yet it retains impeccable clarity. The music is played with seamless spacing and a fine immersive sensation. Music is crisp with great solid bass, like the stomping dancers, the rumble of a tractor's engine, and various crashes. Chirping birds, light winds, and the din of a busy school hallway are all seamlessly recreated. Dialogue is clear and never lost to supporting elements. This is simply a great soundtrack. (5/5)

TRIVIA:

Footloose has an estimated budget of $24 million, but grossed only $51 million.

Julianne Hough beat out several favourites including Hayden Panettiere, Miley Cyrus and Amanda Bynes for the part of Ariel.

Julianne's big brother, Derek Hough, who is still with Dancing With The Stars, starred as the lead character (Ren McCormack) in Footloose: the Musical.

The film is dedicated to the original 'Footloose' (1984) director, Herbert Ross. Not only in the end credits, but the cop who pulls over Ren has "H. Ross" on his name tag. He is credited as Officer Herb.

Where The River Goes by Zac Brown Band was nominated for a Best Song Grammy.

GOOF:

Did you notice that Ariel is wearing different shoes at Prom than when she left the house?

FINAL THOUGHT:

I bought Footloose (2011) mainly because I love Julianne Hough. She was brilliant when she was with Dancing With The Stars, and has won the mirror-ball trophy on a few occasions. Then, she turned Country & Western singing star, released an album and toured the country. As a performer, she naturally embodied the character Ariel and she portrayed the rebellious teen with ease, fully adding to the visual dynamic of scenes. Of course, I enjoyed her dancing too. Blake Shelton, Best C&W Male Singer 2011, sang the title tune: Footloose. His deep voice was very magnetic. Each version of Footloose has its own merits. But this 2011 version really stands out in both the video and audio transfers, and this film will bring a new generation of Footloose fans. Highly recommended, especially for Julianne Hough's fans. I hope the above review is helpful to you.

You can wear out those Sunday shoes quickly, especially when forced to wear them all week long.

When Ren McCarthy arrives small in town Bomont, he discovers dances are banned following a tragic accident several years earlier which killed five high schoolers. Not only that, if you blare music as you drive your car along a country road you can get fined, and you can easily get dubbed a bad boy.

He soon locks horns with police, preacher, and headmaster. When his attention turns to the attractive, rebellious yet troubled preachers daughter, Ariel, played by Julianne Hough, she blanks him.

Highschoolers have a secret place to blare music, and get footloose. Before long the authorities appear.

Now Ren moves and catch the eye of Ariel. Her brother died in the accident, messing her up, and she acts out, thrillseeking, dangerously self destructive, she dates the local bad boy. As the attraction grows, conflicts arise with both the preacher, and the bad boy. Will Ren get her? Will she change her ways? Will they do the special mambo? If you're like me these are some of the questions that run through your mind as you watch this movie.

Not having previously seen the original Footloose, I was curious to see this because of Julianne Hough, who has won twice on Dancing with the stars, and is a world champion ballroom dancer. Kenny Wormald I had not heard of before. He has danced professionally with some of the world's top entertainers such as Justin Timberlake, and I believe Mariah Carey. I found his performance in his first leading role engaging, and clearly he has amazing dance skills. Somewhat to my surprise I was impressed by the acting performance of Julianne Hough, she delivers in the several great emotional scenes this movie offers, particularly when she gets slapped. I knew she could dance, and I did not recognise her in Burlesque, because she wore a brunette wig, but I think she could have a decent career as a leading movie actress. Beyond her obvious appeal, she has some depth.

In some respects this is better than the original, particularly the storytelling, which includes the inciting incident of the accident at the beginning, and some of the dancing particularly by Kenny Wormald and others were very good. What surprised me given the talent of Hough is that she was underused in a dancing capacity, and had no solo to speak of.

In some respects the original is better, particularly the depth of acting talent, which includes well known actors such as John Lithgow, and Dianne Wiest, as the preacher and his wife, whose characters were three dimensional, Kevin Bacon, of course, Sarah Jessica Parker in a supporting role as Ariel's friend, and a scene stealing Christopher Penn, Sean Penn's brother.

The best known actors in the new version are Dennis Quaid, and Angie McDowell, yet somehow the director and screenwriter played down the role of these characters so that they are one dimensional.

I think most people will enjoy both versions, with a new movie updated soundtrack with new artists. I think the remake was worthwhile, because this version will appeal to a new generation that was not even alive when the first movie was made. I think though we are seeing too many remakes this year.

If you want to watch another dance movie, I recommend The The Red Shoes, The (Criterion) [Blu-ray], one of the greatest dance movies ever made.

I think you will enjoy it and I hope this was helpful.