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Movies / On DVD / Footloose
Footloose

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Footloose (1984)

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56 %
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Reviews Counted:32

Fresh:18

Rotten:14

Average Rating:5.6/10

Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: This classic tale of teen rebellion features a delightful combination of dance choreography and realistic, touching performances. When teenager Ren (Kevin Bacon) and his family move from big-city... This classic tale of teen rebellion features a delightful combination of dance choreography and realistic, touching performances. When teenager Ren (Kevin Bacon) and his family move from big-city Chicago to a small midwestern town, he's in for a real case of culture shock. Though he tries hard to fit in, the streetwise Ren can't quite believe he's living in a place where rock music and dancing are illegal. There is one small pleasure, however: Ariel (Lori Singer), a troubled but lovely blonde--who also has a jealous boyfriend. In fact, it is Ariel's dad (John Lithgow), a Bible-thumping minister, who is responsible for keeping the town dance-free. Ren and his classmates want to do away with this ordinance--especially since the senior prom is around the corner--but only Ren has the courage to initiate a battle. Ren's pent-up frustrations cause a confrontation with Rev. Shaw Moore and the local town council as he takes on the small-town establishment struggling to abolish the outmoded ban and revitalize the spirit of the repressed townspeople. Herb Ross's fast-paced drama is filled with such hit songs as the title track and "Let's Hear It for the Boy" and is a classic of 1980s Brat Pack cinema. [More]

Starring: Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest

Starring: Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, Christopher Penn, Sarah Jessica Parker, John Laughlin, Elizabeth Gorcey, Frances Lee McCain

Director: Herbert Ross

Director: Herbert Ross
Screenwriter: Dean Pitchford
Producer: Lewis J. Rachmil, Craig Zadan
Composer: Miles Goodman

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Footloose

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

A cynical and manipulative exercise with little feel for the teen culture it purports to celebrate.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Only the most cynical would never admit to tapping their toes to Loggins' title track.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
03/30/04
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Footloose wasn't exactly a critical fave, but it didn't try to be hip and it had a relatively light touch, with recognizable human beings on the screen.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
02/13/08
Rob Gonsalves
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

Essential to the result is young Kevin Bacon, superb in the lead part.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
02/12/08
Variety Staff
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
02/05/08
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Film Threat

The movie features some good dancing -- not nearly enough, however -- and a fine, understated performance by Lithgow in a role that might easily lend itself to caricature.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment 1 Comment
01/30/07
TV Guide's Movie Guide
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Herbert Ross directed this odd but reasonably effective blend of rock music and didactic melodrama.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
01/30/07
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader

An 80s milestone, for better or for worse... and a key link to any game of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.

comment Comment
09/02/05
Rob Vaux
Rob Vaux
Flipside Movie Emporium

No review available.

comment Comment
07/08/05
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

A lively and entertaining youth drama about the coming of change in a repressive small town.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
03/31/05
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

No review available.

comment Comment
02/17/05
Todd Jorgenson
Todd Jorgenson
Denton Record Chronicle (TX)

No review available.

comment Comment
12/18/04
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Footloose is a seriously confused movie that tries to do three things, and does all of them badly.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
10/23/04
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
09/23/04
Nell Minow
Nell Minow
Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

OK teen flick that time has treated kindly.

comment Comment
08/02/04
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

No review available.

comment Comment
05/29/04
Andy Klein
Andy Klein
New Times

No review available.

comment Comment
02/27/04
Carol Cling
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

comment Comment
11/19/03
Bob Grimm
Bob Grimm
Las Vegas CityLife

No review available.

comment Comment
10/16/03
Jurgen Fauth
Jurgen Fauth
About.com

I know it's a classic, but I wanted more dancing. Great hair though.

comment Comment
07/14/03
Fred Topel
Fred Topel
About.com
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
all

Latest News for Footloose

October 26, 2009: Kenny Ortega Quits Footloose Remake Opens in new window
Citing disagreements over the tone and budget of the film, director Kenny Ortega has left Paramount's upcoming "Footloose" remake. More...

May 20, 2009: Chace Crawford Lands Footloose Lead Opens in new window
Zac Efron's loss is Chace Crawford's gain: Crawford, a member of the "Gossip Girl" cast, has been hired to replace Efron in the upcoming "Footloose" remake. More...

March 23, 2009: Zac Efron Declines Opportunity to Kick Off His Sunday Shoes Opens in new window
After more than a year and a half attached to the project, Zac Efron has pulled out of Paramount's "Footloose" remake. More...

October 28, 2008: Paramount Fast-Tracks Efron's Footloose Opens in new window
After watching "High School Musical 3" take over the box office last weekend, Paramount wasted no time in fast-tracking its Zac Efron-led "Footloose" remake. More...

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