The plot for Footloose is kind of ridiculous. Even as a kid seeing this in the theater, I never bought into a town outlawing music and dancing as a punishable crime. Sure, I figured that other nations and cultures may actually have rules against self expression, but certainly not on American soil. Also, there were some horrible dancing to be found in this movie way back when. The Diner scene in particular still makes me bow my head in shame. But having just watched this tonight, the dancing isn't just hokey, it's downright painful to watch at times. But here's the thing, the actors, characters and the simple story still carry's itself very well in spite of these few hiccups.

It's been a while since I last watched Footloose and I can't believe how young Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, Sarah Jessica Parker and Chris Penn look in this. Heck man, even Dianne Wiest and John Lithgow look damn young. Speaking of Chris Penn, he was and still is my favorite character in the movie. Steals every scene he is in. His "training" session with Bacon, learning how to dance is pretty bad....but there is a charm to what he is doing which makes it fun to watch. But when he gets on the dance floor during the Prom Dance, he brings it....even if it's still awkward at times.

One thing you gotta understand about the movie, it exist solely for one purpose....to sell Soundtracks. How else to explain that the Title Track by Kenny Logins is played 3 times during the span of 90 minutes. A couple of other songs get a couple of spins as well. Memorable music for sure, which adds to the charm of the film. Definitely worth a Rent just to reminisce what it was like living through that time period. If you don't take the movie too seriously you will find out you may enjoy it.

I rolled my eyes way back when, all the deprived high schoolers could dance like professionals with amazing moves. It was our Step Up for our generation. They've been around and will continue. The kids love this stuff.

The remake as I recall was not bad. As 'good' as this is, it needed a serious reboot.

Yep, I said it.

There's nothing showing up in your post.

Yeah, I just followed the link back to YT and checked it out. I actually got a good chuckle from that. Thanks.

Just started watching this for the first time.  Thanks Netflix!  Don't know why it took me so long to check it out.  I just passed the Slaughterhouse Five bit (which, incidentally, I need to read again).

You know, I had no idea that Sarah Jessica Parker was in this movie.

I don't know if I missed something but Ren's mother got re-married, right?  Half that family in the house isn't his, am I right?  Or they're staying with someone else?

I just noticed he also has TWO radios in his VW Beetle.  Was that standard?

I don't think I caught that Ren was a gymnast until WELL after that insane warehouse dancing which I thought was insanely unrealistic in an up-to-that-point realtively grounded movie.

The soundtrack, even back then was a major component of the movie. Dare I say...an additional character. But today, because of the music, it's very dated now and kind of sticks out like a sore thumb to my ears. You may not think so because you're coming at this for the first time. I'm guessing you know a majority of the songs anyway. I still like the music today, but it doesn't hide the fact that it's grounded in a certain era for sure.