Red Riding Hood

5/10 E.M.
5/10 C.E.

  A new take on the classic tale Red Riding Hood does a good job of re inventing the story we all grew up with although it doesn't quite deliver on the passion side as many would believe. However I do want to point out that in the original tale there is no love story so from that perspective anything added is actually extra not less. The problem arises however for many in that the director Catherine Hardwicke is the same director as Twilight thus a certain expectation is created. As far as I was concerned however that expectation was met in that the movie was basically Twilight only in the backdrop of Red Riding Hood. You have the same stupid love triangle, (once again the girl goes for the guy with the stupid hair right off the bat) werewolves, and bad CGI. All you're really missing are shinny vampires.

  Similarities to Twilight aside the movie is actually pretty good and it's strength is in a plot that is compelling enough to keep you interested. Throughout the movie if anything else you will wonder how it's gonna vary from the story we heard growing up. You also may be left in the dark and wondering throughout the whole movie who the heck is the wolf something that is actually well concealed throughout the movie and I shall spoil now- It's.... no just kidding.

  Now I have seen Amanda Seyfried play some really good roles and know the girl can act as seen in movies such as Chloe. However sadly in this film although she does well as a whole she still often looks doe eyed and lost. There is however no doubt the girl looks good in a red robe plus that she is also developing a knack for playing a seductive female.  Gary Oldman's role as Father Solomon is perfectly adequate but nothing more not really bringing anything powerful to the table largely due to a one dimensional character.

  Considering his last role was so well played it was hard to see Billy Burke as anything other than the crazed Jonah King from Drive Angry. However as the film progresses you can easily see that considering what he's given Burke does a good job of playing Valerie's father. Shiloh Fernandez really brings nothing to the table in his role of Peter besides looking like a wannabe Edward only creepier. Max Irons on the other hand does a good job of playing the kind hearted Henry. Lastly it would seem only fair to give a head nod to Julie Christie for her perplexing role of the famed grandmother.

  The choice of music on this movie is plain out downright horrible and doesn't fit at all... a lot like the music on the Twilight series come to think of it. The aforementioned love triangle does a good job of providing confusion for the real identity of the wolf in it's absence of steamy teen angst. When journeying into the woods make sure that you go for the trip and mystery not the romance. If you do I'm sure you'll enjoy the new twist on an old tale.