Review of Red Dawn (1984) by Matthew D — 11 Jun 2018
A slow and too patriotic take on a Russian invasion.
Red Dawn is a fun, but overly long war film. It takes on the 1980's style camp tone with one note communist villains. You are engaged by Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Charlie Sheen, Lea Thompson, and Jennifer Grey, but no one else. However, Harry Dean Stanton delivers a neat monologue towards the beginning. Red Dawn tries too hard to be democratic and ends up feeling like propaganda.
Red Dawn is worth a single watch for that fun and creative '80's vibe wherein children can take on the entire Russian army. If you can suspend your disbelief, you'll have a good time. Otherwise, it becomes tedious and unbelievable with each new situation. At least, there are consequences eventually.
Red Dawn is a piece of American cinema history and an enjoyable bit of culture; however, it is rife with cliches and stereotypes. I wish it were better, but Red Dawn is not one of the best war films ever shot.
This review of Red Dawn (1984) was written by Matthew D on 11 Jun 2018.
Red Dawn has generally received mixed reviews.
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