"Footloose" review: Craig Brewer's remake has all the right moves
(CBS) Toes will be tapping in the opening moments of the new updated version of that 1984 favorite "Footloose." Director Craig Brewer's modern version is lighter on it's toes than its predecessor and wholesome enough for the whole family.
Many of the original elements are in place, but an all-new cast helps refresh a story about teenage angst and rebellion. Kevin Bacon is gone and in his place is Kenny Wormald, who plays Ren McCormack, a dance rebel from the big city, who shakes things up when he comes to live in the sleepy town of Bomont, Ga., after a death in his family.
Pictures: "Footloose" now and then
Pictures: Fall films 2011
Julianne Hough (you may remember her as one of the professional dancers on "Dancing with the Stars") is Ariel, a wild child, who also happens to be the town preacher's daughter. Played by Dennis Quaid, Ariel's father is a stern reverend, who bans "lewd" music and any form of organized dancing in Bomont after his son is killed.
Ren's arrival piques the interest of Ariel and, long story short, the two go about getting the people of Bomont to shake off their dancing inhibitions and put their best feet forward. Along the way, Ren befriends Willard (Miles Teller) and teaches him some smooth moves on the dance floor in scenes that will leave you both laughing in your seats and dancing in the aisles.
Brewer's version stays true to the original, but lightens the tone and injects new music, giving the film a fresh spin, if you will. He makes sure, however, the changes are just enough to make "Footloose" appeal to a new, younger audience, while not alienating fans of the original dance drama.
Wormald possesses the necessary boyish charm to pull of the role, but doesn't have the same charisma Bacon did. Hough shows she has star potential and helps make this updated dance movie as much fun to watch, if not more, than the original.
And the music will make you want to make a dash for your iTunes account to download the Kenny Loggins title song from the original soundtrack.