Film Review: Red Riding Hood

Sigh. What can I say about this movie? That it was mediocre? Sure. That I was disappointed because I expected it to be fantastic and it was only mediocre? That too. That it was so hokey in places that it was unintentionally hilarious and that I laughed out loud in the theater? Yes, that as well. ....All in all, I cant say it was a bad movie or anything, and, I actually did enjoy it. It's just that it looked so awesome from the trailers and then in reality was kind of...not.

On the plus side: It does star Amanda Seyfreid, as Red Riding Hood (mmmmmm- seriously, can you blame any big bad wolf from wanting to eat her up? he he)

as well as the talented and amazing Mr. Gary Oldman (one of my top favorite movie actors Of. All. Time.)

And yes, I do realize this picture is him from Bram Stoker's Dracula, and not Red Riding Hood, but you know what? I don't care!! His costumes are SICK in Dracula. What I wouldn't give to have an outfit like that! Not to mention that's my second favorite movie EVER, right after Hedwig and the Angry Inch...but I'm getting off-topic, sorry. ......So, yes, he does a really good job, as always, despite the movie, and despite having some corny lines in places, he manages to sell them. His character is delightfully awful, and I cant ever say enough good things about Gary Oldman.

(Side note, off topic- Speaking of the ability to sell even the most absurd lines imaginable, I want to take a moment to nominate Brad Dourif (who is not in this movie), as the King of That Ability....As evidence, I submit the scene in Alien Resurrection - a movie I do love, by the way- where the alien is biting into his brain, and he is cooing that it is a beautiful, beautiful butterfly. )

Also, the movie has werewolves (always a plus!) and, they are done fairly well, special-effects-wise.

The special effects, scenery, and over-all look of the film are quite good.

It's an interesting movie, as in- I wasn't bored.


Now for the bad news:

As previously mentioned, it's full of extreme corny hokey-ness, and it doesn't seem to be even slightly intentional. O.M.G. So much hokey-ness. Wow. For a fuller accounting of the film's hokey-ness, and an all-around great and accurate review, I refer you to my best friend's review of the same film, over at Celyn's Little Blog

I do want to mention one scene in particular- Amand Seyfried's character tries to do a "sexy dance" with her female friend in the movie, to get the attention of the guy she likes who is dancing with another woman. Of all the times I've ever imagined Amanda Seyfried "dirty dancing" with another chic, believe me, this is not how I pictured it. I just kept wanting to yell - "you're doing it wrong!" LOL The moves were an awkward mash-up of old-timey stylized dance, and pseudo-lambada.....and the chemistry was zero. It was about as sexy as watching someone badly attempt the heimlich maneuver. (Just in case that's the specific fetish of someone reading this, I mean to say it wasn't sexy at all, or at least not to me, and that's saying something! LOL)

Overall, I'd give it a Netflix rating of three stars, meaning "liked it", but didn't "really like it".