New 'Footloose' is sexier, smoother and makes for a wild ride

In the ’80s, when Kevin Bacon rocked out in the Lehi Roller Mills warehouse, it was mesmerizing and energizing.

The music was hypnotic and the moves were cool.

In today's remake, the moves are a lot sexier, though the music is the same.

The costumes are shorter, tighter and more revealing, while the characters talk more like street toughs than country bumpkins.

It's still an interesting story with a small-town minister (played by Dennis Quaid) dictating impossible standards upon a town racked with grief over the loss of several outstanding seniors (who should have been paying more attention to the road than to each other).

Because the minister focuses all of his attention on the son he lost, his daughter (played by Julianne Hough) becomes the town wild child.

She intrigues and confounds Ren (Kenny Wormald) when he arrives in town to live with his aunt and uncle after his mother's death.

He's taken aback by this outlandish girl who pushes the envelope on decency while he's shocked at the harsh rules that prohibit dancing and loud music and basically living life as a teenager.

It's a simple enough story as he takes on Ariel, her bossy boyfriend, the city council, the school principal and eventually reminds the townsfolk that there's life to be lived beyond the pain of losing someone.

It's fast-paced and well shot — in Georgia this time around — as the action moves from an explosive bus race to a game of chicken with a moving train to a glitzy prom in a cotton mill.

For those who like the first "Footloose," it's all still there; the storyline, the characters and the music.

There's the fun of watching Ren's sidekick learn to dance and some satisfaction as the reverend slowly begins to understand how his actions have hurt the people he wants to teach.

It makes for a watchable movie.

Just be prepared for little more heat, some drug use and rougher language.

Sharon Haddock is a professional writer with 30 years experience, 17 at the Deseret News. Her personal blog is at sharonhaddock.blogspot.com.

Email: haddoc@desnews.com