Red Dawn
Dir: Dan Bradley
2012
*
Of all the films to remake, this is has to be the stupidest. First off though, I do not believe, like John Milius, that Dan Bradley is a right-wing devil. He's not, he's a stunt man. The original Red Dawn was once described as the most violent film ever made and it's certainly action packed. It's also got a reputation so as a first time director I can see why he would take the risk on it but it was still going to be a long shot. It's just as ridiculous in many respects as the first one but with hindsight, it's even more ridiculous. It's a film that is full of an uneasy and unjustified rage. Seriously, what have North Korea ever done to America? It's the worst kind of scaremongering and the blind patriotism message doesn't sit well with me at all. The Operation to capture Saddam Hussein was named Red Dawn after the first film so I can't help but look at the people who fought back at those solders, there and in all the other wars where America, Britain and their allies have invaded - in this case, illegally (I'm really not talking about Al-Quidea or ISIS folks, although they suffer the same brainwashing as any blind patriot). Red Dawn shows how it's patriotic, heroic and totally understandable to defend your own home and people when under attack, but before we all start asking God to bless our great nations, we should remember that this is a very real situation happening overseas and we are often the invaders. All the great war films made are anti-war films. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth when all is see in Red Dawn is glorification. Apart from the impossibility of the situation and the political issue, Josh Peck ain't no Charlie Sheen. The cast are fairly cardboard and I wonder just how Chris Hemsworth got involved with it. It's like we've learnt nothing.