‘Footloose’ Trailer Shows A Pretty Derivative Dance Flick

I’ve yet to see a really great dance film come out of the last few years. Sure, the ‘Step Up’ franchise is a diversion but it isn’t even close to being a great film. But then again – can a dance film ever be great? That remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt that they can be utterly mediocre or sometimes pretty darn bad. Now, we have a trailer for the upcoming remake of ‘Footloose’ that walks the line.

Writer/Director Craig Brewer (“Hustle & Flow,” “Black Snake Moan”) delivers a new take of the beloved 1984 classic film, “Footloose.” Ren MacCormack (played by newcomer Kenny Wormald) is transplanted from Boston to the small southern town of Bomont where he experiences a heavy dose of culture shock. A few years prior, the community was rocked by a tragic accident that killed five teenagers after a night out and Bomont’s local councilmen and the beloved Reverend Shaw Moore (Dennis Quaid) responded by implementing ordinances that prohibit loud music and dancing. Not one to bow to the status quo, Ren challenges the ban, revitalizing the town and falling in love with the minister’s troubled daughter Ariel (Julianne Hough) in the process.

The original movie was never a great film, but has a campy cult value to it thanks to Kevin Bacon. This remake, however, just looks pretty bland and derivative. Not only do the same old sentimental beats repeat here, there’s a streak of predictability and not even some crazy dance moves to impress. Dennis Quaid gets a meaty role which is great to see, but that’s about it. Maybe Zac Efron would have actually put in a lot more energy into the film?

Trailer below.