Red Dawn
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Josh Peck, Josh Hutcherson, Adrianne Palicki
Director: Dan Bradley
Rating: 2.5/5
It was back in 1984 that Red Dawn hit the big screen for the first time and it was a movie that went on to be a cult hit. And this week sees the remake hit the big screen as Dan Bradley makes his directorial debut.
In Red Dawn, a city in Washington State awakens to the surreal sight of North Korean paratroopers dropping from the sky - the U.S. has been invaded and their hometown is the initial target.
Quickly and without warning, the citizens find themselves prisoners and their town under enemy occupation. Determined to fight back, a group of young patriots seek refuge in the surrounding woods, training and reorganising themselves into a guerrilla group of fighters.
Taking inspiration from their high school mascot, they call themselves the 'Wolverines', banding together to protect one another, liberate their town from its captors, and take back their freedom.
There is absolutely no doubt that the plot is absolutely ridiculous - can a group of teenagers really take on a professional invading force with such effect? Well no is the answer to that.
Despite the total absurdity of the story that doesn’t stop the film for being rather entertaining with some well staged action set pieces
In fact the action moments really are the best moments in the film and they come thick and fast as director Bradley keeps the pace up.
Chris Hemsworth leads the cast - this is a movie that was shot before he shot to fame as Thor - and the action genre is one where Hemsworth looks incredibly comfortable.
He does the best with what he has got - the script really isn’t that fantastic but the action moments are where he really comes into his own.
There is not much character development except between Jed (Hemsworth) and Matty (Hutcherson) two brothers who are forced to face their differences.
While there are some moments between these two characters Bradley doesn’t really focus on the character side of this story - it really is all about the action and blowing shit up.
The likes of Adrianne Palicki, Josh Hutcherson and Isabel Lucas really aren’t given too much to do except point a gun and shoot.
Red Dawn is a movie that you can kick back and enjoy for ninety minutes as there is enough to hold your attention but it is instantly forgettable as you walk out of the cinema.
Red Dawn is out now.
Tagged in Josh Hutcherson Chris Hemsworth