A remake that's as good as the original.

Rating: 10/10 (31 July 2011)

Now this is what I'm talking about! A remake made by people who obviously love the original (it's packed with nifty visual and aural tributes to the 1984 film) without being enslaved to it. From the terrific opening credit sequence on, this is non-stop entertainment - getting the guy who directed BLACK SNAKE MOAN and HUSTLE AND FLOW to reboot FOOTLOOSE was a brilliant idea, as he perfectly combines his own preoccupations (mainly having to do with his continuing examination of the American south) with the structure of the original to make a film that's both personal expression and mainstream entertainment. Everyone who's hating on this based on the teaser should keep an open mind - after all, thou shalt not judge a film by its trailer. Far from being a STEP UP retread (as many people who haven't seen it have theorized), this is a movie with a diverse range of music and a gorgeous visual style - and having the hottest chick on earth in the female lead doesn't hurt.