Craig Brewer’s 2011 remake of Footloose offers a fun experience for a wide range of audiences. Though many may be skeptical of any modifications made to the 1984 classic, the new release stays true to the original movie’s reputation as an enjoyable dance flick. Boston native Ren MacCormack [Kenny Wormald] moves to the small, podunk town of Bomont, where a ban on public dancing has been put into effect due to a tragic accident occurring three years prior. Ren’s rebellious “rock ‘n’ roll” spirit combined with his uninhibited dancing habits soon prove a challenge to the ban.

Sticking closely to the original plot line, the movie does a nice job adding cinematic effects and dramatic flair—the story flows considerably better in comparison with the rather drab original. Fortunately, iconic scenes and symbols were retained, such as Willard [Miles Teller]’s dance lessons and Ren’s red prom jacket. Another nice touch was the incorporation of the original soundtrack: a mix of classic rock, ’80s hits, modern country, and of course, a plethora of remixes.

In fact, the only thing missing, regrettably, was the unmistakable 1980s pop culture which defined the original. Rather than recreate this environment however, the new film appears to take place in a present-day setting in which the rural, “redneck” lifestyle is much more pronounced. With gaudy scenes and cheesy dialogue, the acting is not necessarily top-notch, yet the focal point of the film—the dancing— impressively picks up the slack. Despite these shortcomings the film adequately serves its purpose to entertain as a relatively respectable remake.