Review of Red Dawn (1984) by Damacio U — 15 Mar 2012

Red Dawn is set against an alternate version of the Cold War where NATO has dissolved and communism has spread throughout much of Latin America. This gives the Soviet Union, along with her new allies, the freedom to launch an invasion of the USA. The communist forces are stopped but much of the country is now occupied territory, including the town of Calumet in Colorado where the film takes place. Soon after the invasion begins a group of teenagers head into the mountains to hide, soon forming a resistance movement named "Wolverines" after their school football team after witnessing the barbarism of the occupying forces.

Given that the mid-80's was the height of the one man army era (personified by the likes of Schwarzenegger, Stallone and Norris), not to mention the subject matter, this is actually a much more dramatic and serious film than you might expect as the kids have to deal with war, bereavement, hunger, backstabbing and the loss of everything they once took for granted. OK so it's not exactly subtle (the kids are whimpering in fear one moment and taking out entire armoured columns with RPG's the next) but they're far from bulletproof superhumans and there are some really dramatic and powerful scenes. The cast is great with a whole host of soon-to-be-household names making early appearances including Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson and Jennifer Grey. Other familiar faces include Powers Boothe, Lane Smith, Harry Dean Stanton ("AVENGE MEEEE!!"), Ron O'Neal and Frank McRae.

Red Dawn is a bonafide pop culture favourite and it's not hard to see why as it's the best of both worlds - down to earth drama AND over the top action. Above all else, the novelty of seeing rosy-cheeked, apple pie-eating, football-playing, all-American teens shooting up evil commies with heavy weapons simply doesn't get old.