Footloose (2011) vs Footloose (1984)

Watching this new Footloose I came into it with high judgement because I more than adored the 1984 version. In fact, I could probably quote every line. As the movie started I was impressed with how much they were actually echoing the older movie. However, immediately I didn't appreciate them not having Ren's mother in the picture. I was a huge fan of Ren's relationship with his mother as he had to get used to this new small town. She was his reminder of home throughout the whole movie and now that is missing. It gives the movie way too much tragedy that wasn't in the older movie. Despite it's dramatics, the 1984 version was a fun movie you could watch over and over without having to worry about crying at some point. So far in the beginning of this new one, you see a lot of tragedy. I appreciated the classic lines that they kept in the movie, because that's the heart of Footloose. Julienne Hough does not bring very much to Ariel's character which was extremely disappointing. She obviously is a vital character to the movie and she's way to high class and girly to play Ariel. Kenny Wormald is not my favorite either, however, he did bring a lot to Ren's character. He completely captured what Kevin Bacon brought to the character in 1984. I was immediately in love with Willard and Ren's on screen chemistry. Again, two vital characters; Willard made the 1984 version of the movie. As soon as he was introduced into the 2011 film I was like "yes". So, congrats Miles Teller, you are awesome. But the factory worker being black? Really? He was such a classic skinny redneck in the old movie! Why did we have to change that? As I watched the movie, I really felt like it was lacking in a lot of development. They kept shoving these classic 1984 scenes into the movie without the character development. I mean, if I hadn't seen the previous movie I wouldn't really understand where a lot ofthese scenes were coming from. Another thing that bothered me was that the Reverend hated Ren so much without really getting to know him. I felt like that wasn't so strong in the older movie. And another thing, I realize they wanted to make this more modern and the only believable way to do that was to make the movie more "southern" where traditional values seem to be more upheld in today's time. However, the country aspect bothered me. All in all I will give this movie 4 out of 5 stars. I feel like they tried really hard to keep the original value of the movie while still adding their own flavor to the movie. I did not, personally, like it, but I appreciated them not destroying one of the best movies that the 80's gave us. For review suggestions or opinions please leave me a comment. For a free 30-day trial of Netflix Watch Instantly please see my "About Me".