Director Craig Brewer’s present-day revival of the 1984 classic “Footloose” delivers sub-par acting but slides through with dynamic dance numbers.

The remake’s plot doesn’t stray far from the original. After the town council abolishes loud music and teen dancing in public, Ren McCormack (Kenny Wormald) works to change the council’s law.

“Footloose” is the first film to feature Wormald in a leading role, and the actor shows his lack of experience in the profession. Wormald’s forced lines and delayed emotional reactions make his portrayal of Ren lacking compared to Kevin Bacon’s stand-out performance in 1984.

But professional dancers Wormald and Julianne Hough shine in the film’s dance numbers. Their on-stage charisma and technical aptitude for the moves glow in the well-choreographed scenes. Songs from the  original film such as the catchy title track “Footloose” add a classic element, while country and hip-hop songs are added to
revamp the soundtrack. This careful modernization reinvents the old storyline enough to make the film worth a second look, but doesn’t drastically change the popular plot.

While Brewer’s newly released rendition of “Footloose” taps into the impressive dance sequences that made the original a classic hit, overall the film is just a bit loose.

 “Footloose” was directed by Craig Brewer and written by Dean Pitchford and Brewer.

2 out of 4 stars