Critics are completely wrong about Jake
Gyllenhaal's gloriously self-aware and hilarious Road House remake. Here's why. Most cinephiles were left scratching their heads
when it was announced that Mr. & Mrs. Smith director Doug Liman would be remaking Patrick
Swayze's '80s classic Road House. Of all the films in MGM's vault to remake, was Road House really
the one that demanded Liman and Gyllenhaal's attention? The answer is, thankfully, yes. Road
House 2024 has been mired in drama over the
last few months, but the film itself is an absolutely
killer piece of nonsensical action-comedy. "Here, I got a tip for ya —
don't let no one get this close" The movie, available exclusively on Prime Video,
has received mixed responses from critics — who seem to be slightly missing the point of the
movie. On Rotten Tomatoes, Road House holds a meek 62% freshness score from critics. Some
have voiced negative reactions to the picture, seeing it as a schlocky, generic action film
created excl
usively to maximize Amazon shareholder value. BBC critic Nicholas Barber, for example,
questioned why the movie was made at all, writing: "Watching this mindless yet
overcomplicated film feels like sitting in on a script meeting at which the
writers throw around ideas for characters, scenes and subplots but don't get
around to developing any of them." Other critics have mocked the remake for
its stitched-together action sequences, as well as former UFC champion Conor McGregor's
goofy perfo
rmance. But in an era where audiences are constantly served tame reboots meant to
elicit nostalgia, Road House is a breath of fresh air that leans into the original's premise
and serves as a love letter to chaotic creativity. The new Road House follows Elwood Dalton,
an ex-UFC fighter who stepped away from the octagon after a fight went wrong. Dalton finds
a savior in Frankie, who needs a "bouncer" to protect her Florida bar, aptly named
"The Road House." Dalton is subsequently thrown into
a world of trouble, in which he
saves the Road House from scheming villains. "Thanks for the ride man." "Is that one a friend of yours?" "No, I just broke his arm." Doug Liman's action flick retains the bones
of the original but goes in a cartoonish and self-aware direction that's often
funnier than many straight-up comedies. "Looky here, our own little octagon!" "What? Who taught you shapes?" While most tentpoles want to be taken seriously,
Road House wants you to have a blast. A vehicle fo
r Liman and Gyllenhaal to go full-bozo, the
remake is littered with dynamite action sequences, stunning locations, and great performances
from its lead and supporting players. The film feels particularly impactful because
of the homogenous, calculated era of cinema we've somehow found ourselves in. Modern tentpole
releases, often derived from long-established IP, feel safe and rely on nostalgia, resulting in
movies that seem more like products than stories. The new Road House, however, is a
n updated take
on a classic that doesn't feel like it's forced to exude reverence for its predecessor. It's a
great example of a remake done right, running wild with the original's premise so much that it feels
almost completely divorced from what came before. Remakes often cheekily acknowledge the
woes of the original and try to elevate themselves above them. Road House doesn't care
about any of that, though, opting instead to give its creative team a chance to be as goofy as
possible. Do
ug Liman's camerawork isn't perfect, but the action sequences are impactful, especially
in the film's third act. The movie also leans heavily into absurdity, crafting a world that's
both highly original and deeply cinematic. And that's to say nothing of
the movie's heavyweight lead performances. Jake Gyllenhaal's
Dalton is a quippy charmer, a psychopath who reluctantly relishes
violence and acts of gratitude. It's a juxtaposition that works well and allows the
actor to effortlessly show of
f his range, resulting in a protagonist we can actively root
for — despite the fact that he's totally unhinged. The real winner here is Conor McGregor, however, whom critics appear to particularly despise. The
infamous MMA fighter is a force of nature as Knox, a villain who is more threatening for his
unpredictability than his physical impressiveness, though he is also physically impressive.
All this adds up to one of the most fun bad guys we've seen in years — in one of
the best remakes of
the decade so far.
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