2011 | Color | 1 Hr 40 Min | Fantasy | PG-13 | Warner Brothers
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Writer: David Leslie Johnson
Stars:
Amanda Seyfried
Lukas Haas
Gary Oldman
Set in a medieval village that is haunted by a werewolf, a young girl falls for an orphaned woodcutter, much to her family's displeasure.
After winning 2009's Fright Meter award for writing the ever so scary "Orphan" David Leslie Johnson teams up with Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke giving us a dream world set in a medieval time! And boy is the look and feel of this flick beautiful. The screen is often filled with dazzling fall colors to the harsh of winter the surroundings draw you in quickly. But can a movie about a werewolf set in the 1300's with the vibe of Twilight last? Read on my followers read on!
First I want to tip my hat to Mandy Walker who visually brought this movie to life, her use of color and light drawing you into the dark in such a wonderful way is by far the high point of Red Riding Hood. After watching what is now her early work I really want to dive into some of her new films like Australia and Hidden Figures. Honestly, I do not understand why she was not nominated for any kind of awards for this movie. And I give strong kudos to the art department and sound engineers. Sadly that is about it other than the soundtrack.
The weakest thing to come out of this movie would have to be the cast and the bland story they had to work with. Sadly they took a good idea and tried to make it into another teen love story. Don't get me wrong it has its audience and it almost had me sucked in 100%. Sadly I figured out the movie rather quickly due to its story telling and its odd pacing. Also, I did not care much for the weak attempts to include dialogue from the fable that draws its inspiration. Am not saying the cast was awful just not sure they were the right people for the roles they played. They defiantly went for the pretty vs true grit.
The true question would be did the movie keep me entertained and the answer is yes. Gary Oldman was wonderful as the preacher with a strong performance that comes off so evil that you enjoy his presence on screen. Julie Christie kept the screen oozing with darkness as grandma. And the Mamma Mia actress Amanda Seyfried is easy on the eyes.
What was the most annoying thing in this movie no not the CG Werewolf (I did not think it was that bad) but **Small Spoiler** the love making scene in the SNOW!! I live in Illinios so I know snow damn it and I would never ever get naked for a hot blonde under any circumstances! I was perfectly fine with this movie right up to this point! And did they have goose bumps or shiver no they looked like they were on the beach! Again written as a teen romance novel! I could go on for an hour about how stupid this was. Ok, rant over.
In the end, I would recommend this movie it is visually pleasing and really sets the mood of a far off land. Red Riding Hood plays more of a fantasy than a horror movie very lite on blood and violence. I also do not recall any bad words flying through the air as well. If I was to rate this on the cast and story it would be low but you blend in a fantastic soundtrack and a powerful vision I have to bump it up a notch....
 |
| 3 Bloody Brains out of 5 Riding Hood is a fun simple ride. |
The following review was part of The Colors Blogathon, so click here and catch the rainbow of other colorful movies!
Oh wow...thank you for this awesome post. I'm absolutely with you on this one...the visuals are wonderful! Gary Oldman is awesome in all his roles (have you seen his as Drexl in True Romance?).
ReplyDeleteBut come on...love in the snow...when you're that young and smitten you do anything for love...not ;-) You had me laughing. I'm just wondering if I'd get naked in the snow with the hottest guy...hmmm...nope. Back in my teens...maybe...teens are wired differently after all. Ha ha ha!
But honestly, thank you so much for taking the time to join my Blogathon - it is greatly appreciated. I need to watch this one again...I even have it in my DVD collection just because I found it fun.
PS: That ending scene (I think) with her walking through the snow with the red cape trailing behind her is also visually splendid, isn't it?
PS: Love your Blogathon banner. It is awesome. Thanks for taking the time to make it.
DeleteI agree even tho the cape changes from ankle length to super long it does look cool in those long shots. And nope no way even as a silly teenager I would not get naked in the snow lol! Thanks for having this Blogathon it was fun.
Delete