An Ode to Footloose 1984

I was not a fan of remakes for a while, especially when remaking a movie that actually tears down the original, but I noticed something, when movies are remade it normally makes the previous version receive a renewed launch. Sometimes they sell packs with both versions. This means a younger audience that has never seen the original may actually see the older version and in that way become a fan. Though Footloose like Dirty Dancing and Fame were dance movies each of them has their own style and appeal to older and younger audiences for different reasons, yet their remakes/sequel did not do as well as expected. To judge music in these movies for me is impossible, because you either like a type of music or don't, I liked Take the Lead, yes it has classical ballroom music but it also has rap/house music too which combines well. Footloose is one of those movies, that I have seen snippets, know the story and songs but have I think never seen beginning to end, I will probably watch the new movie at some point but will probably watch the older version too as it will probably show on one of channels the week the new one comes out. I hope this version does well though.

SJP was in the original "Footloose" Movie in the '80's? I never knew that...I'd be interested in trivia like that for movies I enjoyed,but the original didn't float my boat back then,and I don't see a remake making me rush to the multiplex this time around,either..

I saw the original "Footloose" and really didn't care for it. I can't stand the song "Footloose"! Never could! Either version! Kenny Loggins and by Blake Shelton! The song is annoying and I will not see the new version of "Footloose"! A foot note to this discussion. There are still towns in the USA that forbids dancing! So sad but true!

Hi behen Many of the remakes are just a waste of the Original's concept and I personally believe the newer versions are just a waste of time. I havent seen either of the versions of footlose but yes, the ones they do it here for bollywood movies, many have flopped and many are still in the pipeline. The problem with Bollywood remakes is - the originals were written keeping in mind the set of actors and the scripts and roles gelled perfectly with them. but today, there arent any actors that would fit those shoes. But still many are in the pipeline.

It does seem that they are remaking lots of old movies. But Footloose, it just does not seem like the kind of movie that would make a very good remake. I mean, I saw the original, it was okay, I was never crazy about it. But I do not believe that the story line could live up to a remake. It was a movie made in an era that it worked in. Today, no, it does not have the substance to succeed. At least that what I think.

yes..some movie are so pefect the original version is.. it shouldnt be messed around with..like PSYCHo 1960 and new Psycho 1998,,,original is the forefront of psychotic /killer/thrilling movie.. so i guess Footloose 1984 is also a perfect dancey/classic of its time.. a remake might ruin it. or at least people wanna see the classic if the new one suck. anyway.i havent seen the new remake of footloose.. but i will,just to see what they done to it.. some remake can be good..like the remake of Fright Night 1985..to the latest one with Colin Farrell as the Vampire Jerry Dandrige.. very modern take..and exciting..both version stand out as stupendous.!

I saw the original "Footloose" in the theater with my daughter who was in her teens at the time and I really loved it. I think it was the first movie I'd seen Kevin Bacon in and I knew he'd be around for a long time. I also liked Lori Singer in it a lot. I still love the song and often find myself singing it. I have absolutely no intentions of seeing the remake, zip, zero, nada. I'm one who usually tries to avoid remakes, especially when I really loved the original. There are exceptions but for the most part the only remakes I'm not annoyed about are those of movies I'd never seen. In those cases I can certainly understand how fans of the originals may disagree with me and choose not to see the new version. Anyway, this one makes no sense to remake. Like you said, in the eighties the whole premise was a lot more believable. Today it's just too far-fetched, in my opinion at least. Another one that really makes me mad they're remaking is "Dirty Dancing". I just have to ask WHY!! Annie

I did like the old version....had have heard that many are loving the new one! They say it is worth seeing. I don't know if I will or not as I don't go to many movies! One a year if that!

I’m pretty much with you on this, I love the original “Footloose” and it is one of my 3 Fs “Footloose”, “Flashdance” and “Fame”, I guess it won’t be long till “Flashdance” gets remade as well. Every time I watch it I can’t believe not only how thin Chris Penn was but am reminded that he is sadly no longer with us. I totally agree with you that the actual storyline was more believable in the 80s than it is now and for that reason updating this original seems like a futile act. But if teenagers today enjoy it then what can I say. I know that I won’t be going out of my way to watch this remake but if at some point in the future I get to see it at no cost then I will. I was surprised at what a good job they had done with updating “The Karate Kid” and maybe they will achieve the same with “Footloose”.

I do remember the movie. It has become quite the fad these days for remakes. I am usually very disappointed with most of them too. I'll watch it I guess but it will be when it comes out on one of the movie channels.

I grew up during the 80s musical movies with Fame, Flashdance and Dirty Dancing. I saw Footloose at the theater back and I absolutely fell in love with Kevin Bacon. I wasn't really enthusiastic when I heard Hollywood was making a remake of Footloose. Why? And like you said it's more believable that there are small towns during the 80s that forbid dancing and rock and roll. But in an internet age? Not believable. Difficult to swallow. Even Kevin Bacon declined to be featured in the remake claiming that there's no role in the remake that he would like to play. I think even Kevin Bacon didn't like the script but was too polite to say so.

I must admit that I wasn't so hip in 1984, because I really didn't get to see this movie when it came out. I only learned about it after a few years when I saw a re-run on TV. I love the song, but I can't say I would like to watch the remake.

I didn't see the original nor the remake, looking at the trailer of the remake, it didn't seem that interesting to me. I hear the 80s one was a big hit thugh, made Kevin bacon Famous

I don't like remakes that much. Normally the originals do better then a remake. Know and days rock in roll won't kill you while driving and running into a train it'll be texting and driving. I don't think today's youth would really get the story behind it. You can't mess with the older actors in there youth that did this movie back in the day. I loved Kevin Bacon in this movie. I've seen it a lot since I was a little kid.

I haven't even seen the original, but I think I will, if I am ever going to see the new one. I have never been a fan of re-makes. I never understood why anyone would remake a perfectly good movie, especially the really old ones. OK 1984 isn't really old, but you know what I mean. LOL

yes I do remember the original I just loved it.

I have never heard about the film, or watched any version of it. Yet, according to you, it seems a relaxing and soft. Maybe i will appreciate the movie someday.

I totally agree with you! I was just talking to a friend of mine about this over lunch today. We both felt like there was no point in remaking such a wonderfully done movie. We also talked about how awful it would be if they did a remake of "The Breakfast Club." They just keep remaking movies that do NOT need to be remade! Looks like Hollywood has run out of movie ideas. Almost every movie in theaters nowadays is a remake, or along the same lines of an older movie. It makes me quite sad that creativity is lacking so much. We need some more good movies!

I haven't seen the original Footloose released in 1984 but did see the remake and I got pretty bored with it. I saw the film in DVD and I am happy I didn't go to the theatres as I couldn't see the full film, it's boring ....

I'm with you on this one. I don't think ANYBODY alive today could fill Kevin Bacon's shoes in the role he played in footloose. The music was so alive and the dancing, wow! Remakes are just a money-making scheme, and a bad one at that. I don't plan on seeing the remake at all. Some movies just shouldn't be remade, Footloose is one of them.