‘Footloose’ Redux A head-to-head comparison of the 1984 original and the 2011 remake By Lori Hoffman
“F
ootloose” the song is still a toe-tapping gem and i guess that is one reason that someone felt it was necessary to remake Footloose the movie, a perfectly fine and entertaining semi-classic from 1984. Another reason to create a remake is that the music has remained in the public ear thanks to the Broadway show that was created from the original film in 1998, and has been around the country in touring companies and the like ever since. it played at least twice at an Atlantic City casino venue, most recently at the tropicana in october 2009. My main beef with remakes is that if they were good enough the first time around, why do it again, unless you have a plan that improves on the original. And, while the 2011 version of the film starring newcomer Kenny Wormald as Ren McCormick and Julianne hough as Ariel Moore doesn’t suck, it isn’t as good as the original. here then is my blow-by-blow comparison of the two films.
The Updated Plot
here is where i thought the new movie did a nice job. While the idea that a town bans public dancing by teenagers is even more ridiculous in 2011 than it was in 1984, you can’t get around that necessary evil of including it as the central theme. however, the new film does a nice job of making the movie feel modern, in particular by having African Americans in the cast. i also thought it added some emotional weight with Ren’s mom dying of cancer right before he moves to the sticks, this time from Boston rather than Chicago. Fitting in it is really tough when you feel so alone and isolated.
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Footloose 2011 (as Rev. shaw) is one of my favorite actors, but he is just too devilish to play a preacher who thinks rock ‘n’ roll and dancing are evil. Besides he once played Jerry lee lewis and it was hard not to forget that. John lithgow was more convincing and brought more compassion and weight to the role. in addition, Dianne Wiest as Mrs. shaw blows Andie MacDowell away. then we have Willard (Miles teller). teller does a fine job but it is hard not to feel sad remembering how adorable Chris Penn was in the 1984 version. his death at age 50 in 2006 makes this remake a bit of an insult to his memory. he nailed the role and that’s what we should remember.
Key Scenes
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• Tractor Chicken vs. Bus Chicken — no contest. the tractor showdown in Footloose is one of its unforgettable moments and is funny. the bus battle in the new film is lame. • Williard’s Dance Lesson — Miles teller does a nice job as the hick Willard with two left feet who learns how to boogie with the help of Ren and his two young cousins. in the 2011 Footloose, the ”let’s hear it For the Boy” musical montage pretty much follows the original’s blueprint. however, the original film still gets the nod The Casting Showdowns: • Kenny Wormald vs. Kevin Bacon — because it didn’t need to be copied, it was Wormald, a trained dancer, has the edge in perfect the first time. the dancing department with less use of a • The Big Dance — i’ll give a slight edge stunt double, plus he has great hair. Bacon to 2011 because the dancers look like small fries him when it comes to the acting side town kids cutting “Footloose,” while the of the role. he is an actor who has contin- 1984 extras looked too much like profesued to show his versatility in the 27 years sional dancers. n since he shouted “let’s dance.” Footloose HH½ • Julianne Hough vs. Lori Singer — Directed by Craig Brewer; rated Pg-13 singer wasn’t great, and she didn’t go on to have an extensive career, but she made us believe in Ariel’s daredevil side. hough, from Dancing with the Stars, is a better For local movie listings, visit dancer, but she is downright awful as an acweekly.com and click on actress. it was painful to watch her try to “Movie Times” under the Arts & pull off this wild child in the scenes where Entertainment tab. she wasn’t dancing. • The Rest of the Cast — Dennis Quaid Like us:
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