Movie Review: Red Dawn (2012 Remake)

Red Dawn remake

As soon as first time film director Dan Bradley (a veteran stunt coordinator) was announced to be at the helm of the remake of the 1984 film of the same name, the liberals were already trying to criticize the film. It stars an eclectic cast of big name stars and former child actors trying to live up to the classic movie’s name.

Red Dawn’s plot is very similar to the original, in that America is invaded by foreign enemy, this time North Korea (instead of Cuba) and Russia. It also incorporates some more modern developments. The backdrop presents that NATO has almost fallen apart and an Asian “Pacific Rim” alliance has come to power, and from that comes the invasion. Brothers Jed Eckhart (Chris Hemsworth), a US Marine, and his younger brother Matt (Josh Peck), a high school football quarterback, are forced to flee with some friends from their homes in Spokane, Washington and engaged in guerilla-style tactics against the invaders using their school mascot The Wolverines as their team name. However, Captain Cho (Will Yun Lee), is a ruthless adversary who will stop at nothing in stopping the young freedom fighters.

Despite what the mainstream folks are saying, this is not a bad film. It highlights the growing debt, cyber-warfare, and many other political hot spots that most filmmakers would try to avoid or fall into political correctness. The acting is decent, even for the recruitment of TV and former child stars to the cast.

The battle scenes are realistic, and even the impact of death is very emotional. My only problems with the film is that it leaves the film wide open for a sequel and it lacks a certain epic quality that the original nailed when it first came out.

That being said, this is an excellent film and it will keep you entertained and on the edge of your seat. 

To quote Joe Leydon of Variety, “[the] battle scenes are infused with a propulsive sense of urgency, as Bradley (a vet stunt coordinator and second unit director) often achieves an effective semi-documentary look.”

FAVORITE QUOTE: Marines don’t die, they go to hell and regroup.

PARENTAL CONCERNS: Foul language and violence.

That is my review. What did you think? Let me know in the comments below and tell me if there’s a movie you’d like me to review. Check out my thoughts on The Host. Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more posts like this one.

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2 thoughts on “Movie Review: Red Dawn (2012 Remake)

  1. Pingback: Movie Review- Skyfall | JacobAirey.Blog

  2. Pingback: Classic Film Review- The Wind and The Lion | JacobAirey.Blog

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