The point of "Red Dawn" seems to be to give teenagers who've mastered "Call of Duty" a chance to put their slaughtering skills to use in the real world.
Although it's a faithful remake of a 1984 movie, "Red Dawn" also owes a lot to militaristic video games, which are name-checked to explain why the film's Spokane high school students are such gifted war tacticians. War may be hell, according to "Red Dawn," but it can be supercool if it happens in your own back yard and you're able to get your hands on a ton of weapons.
Now, as in 1984, "Red Dawn" is not especially credible, but this remake at least attempts to explain how this band of young people acquired their know-how (one has a brother in the military) and how their efforts could make a global impact. It also solidifies the relationships between the young warriors, most of whom knew each other before the fighting started.
I did miss the way the original handled the initial attack, which develops in the background as a bunch of oblivious students listen to a lecture. But in almost every other way, the remake improves on the original: The acting is better, the dialogue is funnier and more natural and, instead of being a series of barely connected events that take place over several months, this "Red Dawn" unfolds in a few days as estranged brothers (Chris Hemsworth, Josh Peck) learn to help each other slay North Korean invaders.
On the other hand, the remake is still offensive in its complete disregard for complexity or context.
-- Chris Hewitt
Directed by: Dan Bradley
Starring: Liam Hemsworth, Josh Peck, Josh Hutcherson, Adrianne Palicki
Rated: PG-13, for strong language and a ton of violence
Should you go? It gets the job done mayhem-wise. **