The new Road House is now streaming on Prime Video. Did we need a new version of this classic film which starred Patrick Swayze? In the words of Dr Ian Malcolm, “they were so preoccupied with whether or not they could they didn’t stop to think if they should!” Luckily it resembles it by name alone. The concept we have seen 100 times over.
SYNOPSIS: In this adrenaline-fueled reimagining of the 80s cult classic, ex-UFC fighter Dalton (Jake Gyllenhaal) takes a job as a bouncer at a Florida Keys roadhouse, only to discover that this paradise is not all it seems.
When I originally announced on social media that a remake was in the works the comments and reactions were many. The majority felt that it was a slander to Swayze’s legacy. Even more felt that it made no sense to remake a film like this. Not even the remake of Footloose brought this much negativity.
I hate to say they were right… There is a reason 80’s films feel the way they do. This one would have been better off even as a follow up to the original. I would have appreciated the story more had Jake played Daltons son. This would have allowed him to be his own person with no comparison. Much of the plot also could have been forgivable. But the fact that it is a reimagined telling already sets it up for scrutiny.
If any comparison need made it is more to a Jack Reacher novel. As I was watching this one all I could think about was how this version of Dalton was very much like the Jack Reacher made famous in the Lee Child books, Tom Cruise films, and later by the two Prime Video series seasons. Dalton has much of the same personality traits and outlook on injustice as Reacher. Plus he never backs down from a fight.
Is there an award for talented actors who seem to make odd role choices? If so Gyllenhaal could take home top prize. I always get excited when he has a new film coming, only to walk away shaking my head. Jake can’t be blamed for this one honestly. He is guilty by association only to the eye-rolling script. He is likable here though and does a nice job of playing the butt kicking drifter. Also, Jake is in incredible shape. I have a feeling he lived on chicken and brown rice for a long time.
In this one Dalton is an ex-UFC fighter. This too is not as endearing as the Swayze character. In the 1989 version Dalton knew Karate and was a bouncer. That felt far more organic than the world of UFC fighters. But I guess UFC is more modern than karate kid type bar fights. There are some brutal fights in this one. If you are a fan of blood and broken bones, welcome aboard.
Not to stereotype in this modern age, but I feel as if this Road House will be received better by the male populous. The over the top action and the presence of non actor Conor McGregor does not help the film at all. It bares repeating that had this been an original film with no association to the other Road House it could be a tad more forgivable. But only a little. The could have called it The Keys or something far less clever and we would have just had a fun, rough and tumble, action film.
One thing I found great about the film was the music. I am not sure how this off the map bar was able to secure so many amazing and different house bands. The best part of the fight scenes is the back ground music being played behind chicken wire.
The bad guys are really bad and the good guys are worth rooting for. If that is all you want out of an action crime film you will be happy. It feel like and could have lost about 30-minutes of added weight.
ROAD HOUSE (2024) is rated R for violence throughout, pervasive language and some nudity. Intrestingly enough the content is not as adult as the 1989 version. The earlier Road House had quite a bit of sexual content and nudity. It could be why we love the 80s so much. This one is not childs play though. It is intended for mature audiences so make sure who is around when you hit the stream button.
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