Footloose

Can Kevin Bacon’s famous frolic through an abandoned factory in Footloose hold up in 2011 when break dancing has become the cinematic dance of choice? Well yes, I suppose it can. The reboot of the 1984 film, is a modernized remake, which mirrors the original in most instances. Kenny Wormald fills Bacon’s sneakers and at times it seems like he was cast because of his resemblance to the actor. He isn’t half bad though when he makes the part his own. Julianne Hough and Dennis Quad also star.

For those not familiar, the story is centered on a city teen, (Wormald) who moves to the rural south with his uncle after his mother dies. He understandably has a hard time adapting to the change. But this isn’t a typical town. Loud music and dancing are outlawed after a group of teens were killed in a car accident on the way back from a drunken line dance. It’s not the soundest concept. Obviously lawmakers would be more concerned with the drunk driving and drugs than the dancing, but it comes off as believable in the film.

There are a number of expendable scenes that likely make the cut to be a slice of nostalgia for fans of the original, though the pace zips right along after some early dragging. The biggest issue with the film is that Hough’s character comes across as too skanky for the main love interest. She is rude to everyone, including her supposed best friend, though everyone stays by her side. Besides her good looks there is no reason these rational characters would be drawn to her, but alas they are.

And what of the factory frolic? It’s still cheesy, but cooler with the use of a rap song in the remake. The conflict seems realistic enough and the dancing is modern enough where the common person can be impressed and entertained. So those are really the main goals for a movie like this. It could have had a more sound script or some less cheesy plot points, but then it wouldn’t have been Footloose. (7.4 out of 10)