Footloose

[lety]

Director Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow, Black Snake Moan) chose the perfect new Ren in Kenny Wormald and the perfect new Ariel in Julianne Hough. Both are extremely talented dancers, and the dance sequences are some of the best we've seen in a contemporary dance movie. Stepping into the shoes once occupied by Kevin Bacon and Lori Singer, Wormald and Hough both bring something fresh to the characters that sets them apart from the original actors, effectively making these characters their own even while saying nearly identical lines while wearing nearly identical costumes. Neither actor is well known for feature film roles (Hough's claim to fame is Dancing With the Stars while Wormald has danced in music videos and smaller-budgeted feature films), yet both actors succeed in capturing the emotional turmoil and need to rebel these characters are going through in the film.

Remakes are really risky, and there will of course be fans of the original who will not even give this 2011 version a chance. And, I admit, I had very little hope this Footloose would be anything other than a rip-off of a well-known and well-liked '80s movie. But this Footloose is a solid dance film that should find a new, appreciative audience with a younger generation that doesn't hold the '84 film in as high esteem as audiences over 40.

Footloose stays true to the original in tone and intent, and even features some of the catchy tunes from the '80s (including Blake Shelton's take on Kenny Loggins' "Footloose"). But it is its own movie, one that's entertaining and, yes, as cheesy as it sounds, will make you want to cut loose and do a little dancing in your seat.

[johnstyle]

The movie story about that a teenager moves to small town rock music and dancing have been banned,

and his rebellious spirit shakes up the populace. Movie directed by Herbert Ross and written by Dean Pitchford.

[aaddministration]

Mugwort. Milwaukee bucks standings. United nations. Woody allen.