"Watched the Old Red Dawn now tonite the new" Topic

I love Red Dawn great movie and each time I watch it I notice something new. After the attack at the re-education camp the Cuban and Russian are speaking about the attack and in the background are three Soviets in NBC gear which I never noticed.

I like the movie too…..I wonder if the N. Koreans will fare any better than the Russo-Cuban alliance. I know the concept is far fetched but I like a good action movie once in a while.

I liked the old movie as well. Have my doubts about the new one

Th enew one may be promising. From the trailers, it looks to be more urban oriented, so will probably have more of an 'insurgent' feel to it?

Time will tell.

David G.

Th enew one may be promising. From the trailers, it looks to be more urban oriented, so will probably have more of an 'insurgent' feel to it?

That's interesting. In retrospect, the first movie very much seems to be informed by the US experience in Vietnam -- kids taking to the hills and forests to fight their insurgency. If this one sticks to the "urban" theme, it might reflect US experiences in Iraq. Might make the movie more worthwhile to see, just for that bit of cultural impact.

Damon.

I'm going to try and catch the late show tonight. I've been looking forward to its release.

I heard that your eyes will burn and your brain will rot if you see the new movie.

Sounds like you are spreading communist propaganda.

N. Koreans are really Chinese. Shhhh. Mum's the word.

I saw the new one today. Not bad. Lot's of holes – SURPRISE!!

I liked the old one better.

Ah, Red Dawn, a completely implausible bit of Cold War fantasy that perhaps had some merit during a time of American self doubt. Really, a tiny mid-west town would be a critical military objective? I have read a number of apologist reviews that are reactions to critical dismissals of the 1984 film. John Milius is a fine director but this is not one of his best and the movie had some talented actors that went on to do better things. Regardless, my suspension of disbelief meter could not stomach this movie. I had a friend who was very far to right in his political beliefs when the original came out. He would go on ad nauseum on how, when the Commies invaded he would do just as the kids did in Red Dawn. Really? He had never fired a rifle in his life and loved his cheeseburgers way too much.

In terms of direction and cinematography the 1984 Red Dawn is a slick product with little substance. However, while there was some talented actors the script was wooden, preachy, and predictable. I will give it kudos for not entirely painting the invaders as faceless monsters. In the end the original was a product of a particular era and genre and does not rate a remake.

"Really, a tiny mid-west town would be a critical military objective?"

Yes, Calumet sits at the bottom of a pass through the Rockies.

It never ceases to amaze me the hatred this film generates from the political left in the country.

Im a full blown Marxist and I love Red Dawn. Its a nonsense fantasy thats very of its time, but hey its fun, and theres plenty of room for fun in our movies surely. Anyone who takes any important political point either way from it is probably missing the point. Although saying that as Whitemanticore suggests its quite an interesting reflection of the politics and viewpoints of the US at that point in history.

Doc at David's for TG:

Duke Wayne's ALAMO was equally a product of the Cold War -- but one need not know that nor weigh it in evaluating the film -- which I do as fun and containing some insights, however flawed (e.g. way too long).

Same with RED DAWN. Hollywood is generally ignorant of military affairs, and also assumes/projects certain assumptions and attitudes on the viewing public even if the film makers happen to know better -- so Hollywood Vikings will always have horned helmets.

Fundamentally Hollywood thinks in certain ways, sees the world in certain ways, and cannot accurately convey the rationality of behavior that stems from dogmas they do not share.

brilliant original movie,cant wait to see the modern version…hopefully another training video for my collection.

dont tread on me ;}

"Really, a tiny mid-west town would be a critical military objective?"
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"Yes, Calumet sits at the bottom of a pass through the Rockies."
--
I've seen the original a few times, but where does it say that Calumet is an important objective to the invaders? Is this whitemanticore projecting his inability to understand the film? It follows the actions of a small group making a big difference… from my, perhaps pedestrian, understanding of the movie, the Wolverines _make_ the town important due to the volume and ferocity of their partisan strikes. It's not a documentary or a war epic, but it is referenced many times that there's fighting all over the USA. Maybe whitemanticore didn't grasp that part and believes the whole invasion takes place in, and is stalled at, Calumet?