Yesterday I was lucky enough to attend the screening of the remake of Footloose directed by Memphis’ own Craig Brewer. The movie was fantastic! It was really funny and had an underdog champion kind of feel like Karate Kid and Rocky. The story and characters followed the original movie. Kenny Wormald’s Ren was way hotter than Kevin Bacon’s, but he did wear what looked like the same maroon blazer to the dance at the end of the movie. Dennis Quaid’s Rev. Moore was more sympathetic and less scary than John Lithgow’s. The music was great. It was a mix of covers of the original soundtrack, including a beautiful version of Holding Out For A Hero by Ella Mae Bowen, and new songs, including Magic In My Home by Memphis musician Jason Freeman. I thought I heard Kenny Loggins’ Footloose during the opening credits and Deniece Williams’ Let’s Hear It For The Boy, but they are not included on the new soundtrack.

The large theatre at the Paradiso in Memphis was almost full at 11am on a Friday morning for the 6th screening of Footloose. A lot of folks from the local news were in attendance, including Val and Greg from Good Morning Memphis and Mary Beth from Live at 9. Director Craig Brewer was there to greet us as we arrived and sign posters after the screening. Craig explained he remade Footloose because as a 13 year-old kid in 1984 when it came out, it was as if the movie was made just for him. He was the misfit city kid who moved to the small rural town. Craig Brewer put me on the list, so I could see this fantastic movie. Thanks Craig!

Footloose opens October 14th. Go see it!