Footloose (2011)

Directed by: Craig Brewer | 113 minutes | drama, comedy, music | Actors: Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, Dennis Quaid, Ziah Colon, Ray McKinnon, Miles Teller, Ser’Darius William Blain, Patrick John Flueger, Andie MacDowell, Maggie Elizabeth Jones, Jayson Warner Smith, Mary-Charles Jones, Josh Warren, Corey Flaspoehler, Brett Rice, Patricia French, Anessa Ramsey, Claude Phillips, Clayton Landey, L. Warren Young

Who doesn’t know the original from 1984 with a young Kevin Bacon in it? ‘Footloose’ marked the launch of his acting career for Bacon. 2011’s ‘Footloose’ is unlikely to cause the same for Kenny Wormald, who now plays Ren MacCormack. This isn’t due to Wormald’s appearance or dance talent – ​​he’s handsome and has good moves – but he lacks the charisma that Bacon did possess at the time.

Co-star Julianne Hough has more dancing qualities than her predecessor Lori Singer. But Hough’s portrayal of Ariel lacks the softness that Singer managed to put in this character. The new Ariel is very sexy and blunt. Of course the eye wants something and times have changed, but it’s hard to imagine Ren being impressed by her character as well.

Director Craig Brewer largely follows the beaten track from 1984. But now you get more background information about the accident via a flashback and the characters Ren and Ariel are more fleshed out. This will help you understand why Ariel is reckless and the reason behind Ren’s arrival at Bomont. In addition, Ren’s mother has completely disappeared in this ‘Footloose’, which makes you feel even more sympathetic to him. Furthermore, a number of dialogues between Ariel’s parents Shaw and Vi Moore are missing. Shaw’s Christian pedantic tone has also been curtailed. Finally, the famous tractor race between Ren and Ariel’s boyfriend Chuck has been transformed into a race where the two compete against each other on a bus. All in all, these (and other) changes ensure that this ‘Footloose’ fits in well with the current times and has a nice fast tempo.

The swing content is also fine with this remake. The first fun dance moment of Wormald’s portrayal as Ren is when he dances a battle at the snack bar to impress Ariel. The actor also manages to hold his own in the epic dance scene in which Ren unleashes his anger in an abandoned factory hall. Wormald is also known in America for MTV’s ‘Dancelife’. Co-star Hough is also well versed in dancing due to her experience gained in the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ program. It is a pity that she is not presented with more spicy dance steps. Brewer isn’t using her talent to the full now, Hough is now relying more on her looks. Dennis Quaid as Reverend Shaw Moore and Andie MacDowall as Vi Moore are weak in their playing compared to their predecessors John Litgow and Dianne Wiest.

This new update to ‘Footloose’ is surprisingly fun, although the chemistry between Wormald and Hough is less off screen than Bacon and Singer. This is due to the slick dance scenes, but also to the fact that you get to know the characters better. Where Ren’s friend Willard was quite a simpleton in 1984, he now has more substance and actor Miles Teller portrays Willard amiably. For example, the scene where Willard dances with Ren’s niece and her friends is witty.

But let’s be honest, those who completely missed the first ‘Footloose’ will have the most fun with this feel-good dance film. Because no matter how slick the dance scenes are, director Brewer does not surpass the original. What this ‘Footloose’ does succeed in is that it is difficult to sit still during the dance scenes. And also the cover of Kenny Loggins’ song ‘Footloose’ by singer Blake Shelton continues to reverberate nicely. This film is therefore not suitable for so-called ‘couch potatoes’, your feet will definitely get off the floor!