When I was in middle school I saw the Broadway production of Footloose in Manhattan. I left the theater dancing down the aisle, down the steps and out into the streets of New York. I bought the CD at the concession stand and sang "Let's Hear It For The Boy" into my hair brush about 10,000 times in the next few weeks.
When I read that the original Footloose movie (starring Kevin Bacon) was going to be remade, I was all ears. I was especially intrigued when for a hot minute the movie was going to star Chace Crawford of Gossip Girl fame. Can you imagine Nate Archibald dancing? Me either.
When the role finally went to Kenny Wormald, I was ecstatic. I was first introduced to Kenny when he was a featured dancer on the MTV reality series called Dance Life, which followed young dancers trying to make it in L.A. I loved Kenny immediately for his swagger and because he was from Boston (Stoughton, MA to be exact).
Earlier in the week I planned to see the movie with a friend. This afternoon she texted me, "I can't wait to kick off my Sunday shoes!" I forgot about that song lyric. Very appropriate.
The Footloose remake is straight up fun. It's not serious or profound or trying to be something it's not. It's two hours of great music, fantastic dancing and several warm, likable characters.
For me, Miles Teller, who plays Ren's side kick Willard, is the star of the movie. He has incredible comedic timing and is sweet as sugar to his love interest, Rusty.
Another surprise stand out was Ren's uncle, Wesley. He is the back bone in Ren's life and the one who helps him find confidence in his new surroundings. I hope to see more of this actor.
I was surprised how much I liked Julianne Hough in this role. Though the whole time all I could think about is that she's Ryan Seacrest's girlfriend.
Kenny did well as Ren, though all of his dancing seemed overly choreographed. My favorite dance scene of his is when he takes Ariel, Rusty and Willard country line dancing. His happiness is infectious. And he looks damn good doing it.
I did wonder if my middle school power ballad would make it into the movie and it did! Ren's two little girl cousins do a fantastic job lip syncing and dancing to "Let's Hear It For The Boy."
In fact, many of the songs made famous by the original movie have been re-recorded for this new soundtrack. My favorite is Ella Mae Bowen's rendition of "Holding Out For A Hero." You can listen to the entire soundtrack here.
During the final scene of the movie it will be impossible for you not to dance and sing along. You too will want to kick off your Sunday shoes.
*Images courtesy of FootlooseMovie.com.
