The original 'Footloose' was a classic, remembered for its great soundtrack and the energetic performance of Kevin Bacon; a seminal 80's movie; but flawed. Having introduced it to my children recently it instantly became a huge household hit they wanted to watch again and again. To me though the plot was disjointed; the screenplay was badly edited and didn't flow well, many scenes felt over-the-top, unconvincing, and out of balance with the overall storyline. Don't get me wrong, I love that movie, but the remake has put all things right.
Each time I watched the original I fantasised of being a movie director so I could re-shoot and make sense of a great script. Thankfully someone felt the same and charged Craig Brewer with directing a remake, and he has made this the fabulous film the good original should always have been. Whether or not you know or love the original movie, this version is a must see!
Rarely is a remake so unchanged from the original, and fans of the 80's movie will enjoy rehearing all the classic lines; a true homage with essential cheesiness retained; but the context has been adjusted and this time it all flows beautifully. Several ridiculous scenes performed by Lori Singer in the first version, have been reworked to become realistic and in keeping; the story begins at the beginning and now also makes sense, unlike the original; homage, via tractor, is respectfully paid to one of 'the classic' 80's movie scenes, before diverting into an absolutely necessary, although this time not entirely successful, reworking.
Everything that could stay has stayed and all that had to change, has; with almost every scene that didn't work made good and each character more believable, despite the undoubted qualities of the original cast. This time the movie really works and with barely a flaw. With a nostalgic tear in my eye, I left the auditorium happy and fulfilled, and my children utterly entertained.