Footloose (2011)

If you were "of age" in the '80's, then you probably were a fan of the Kevin Bacon Footloose.  Teenage rebellion, the dancing, the music.  It was AWESOME.  I think I saw it in the theaters at least three of four times, but I specifically remember going with a group of girls in my shorthand class, with our teacher (she was young and cool...Ms. Bantz).  We were so jacked up at the end of the movie, we went out driving around trying to find a high school dance to crash.  Our needs were not met, and went home unrequited.  (*sigh*  those were the days)

Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I am an apostle of the original version, so I was nervous about seeing the remake.  This, my friends, felt like a set up for failure.  But my daughter, who is 13, really wanted to see it (my son wouldn't have any part of it because he heard rumors there was hip-hop music and turned up his nose - he is a rock 'n roller). 

Well, as much as I hate to say it, it wasn't bad.  Some things were changed, but for the most part, the screenplay stayed true to the spirit of the story.  Bad boy from out-of-town, rebellious daughter of local minister trying to stake her claim after the death of her older brother, goobery but lovable sidekicks, an angry ex-boyfriend, lots of dancing, lots of drama, lots of teens versus adults.  Even some of the lines were word-for-word.   

   

But it was modernized too.  The teenagers were more "seasoned" (aren't they all?).  The dancing was definitely...dirtier?  There was a lot more skin.  And yes, the rumors were true, there was some hip hop, but also some country, as well as the pop stuff.  It was a nice mixture, and addressed various ethnicities, which we didn't get in the first movie.  They played music from the original Footloose and had some new material of their own.    

The dancing got you pumped up, Ren and Ariel were adorable, and there were some good messages.  The cast is relatively unknown, except for Andie MacDowell and Dennis Quaid, who played Ariel's parents, but they all did their job.  If you are an avid fan of the Kevin Bacon version, I maintain that you will not be disappointed.