Today’s quick review: Red Dawn. When North Korea invades the United States, Jed Eckert (Chris Hemsworth), a Marine veteran visiting his home in the Pacific Northwest, and his younger brother Matt (Josh Peck) find themselves at the head of a young group of resistance fighters. The rebels must train themselves in the art of guerrilla warfare to fight back against the occupying army, defend their home, and free their loved ones.
Red Dawn is a war movie about a North Korean invasion of America. Red Dawn pits a spirited group of teenagers against a fearsome occupying force. Outnumbered, outgunned, and low on supplies, the resistance group must rely on their wits and their training to survive. Red Dawn is a focused movie that offers decent action and a serious tone. However, its forced premise, lackluster characters, and mediocre plot keep it from going further.
Red Dawn’s main draw is its warfare. From a cabin in the woods and a handful of supplies, the rebels build themselves up into a full-blown resistance forces, stealing what they need and taking the fight to the North Korean troops. The logistics of their struggle are handled well, while the high stakes of each mission lead to some reasonably effective drama as characters are injured or killed. Chris Hemsworth also makes for an effective lead.
But Red Dawn never goes beyond these basics. None of its characters are likable, deep, or memorable, making the movie’s attempts at drama an uphill battle. The story lacks a clear endpoint, making it a series of skirmishes without much sense of progress. The film also has to jump through hoops to make its premise work, putting a group of half-trained teens at the center of the conflict and glossing over the fall of the rest of the country.
Red Dawn is a decent pick when you’re in the mood for an action movie with a serious tone and no frills. It offers just enough in the way of action and drama for fans of the genre to chew on, but lacks either the flash or the substance needed to leave a lasting impression. Those looking for a tight story, memorable characters, or an action-packed, escapist romp will want to look elsewhere.
For a budget sci-fi movie about an alien invasion with a similar plot, try Occupation or Extinction. For a more elaborate war film with tenser action and better characters, try Enemy at the Gates.
5.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for decent action without much to set it apart.