There is a lot I didn't like about ROAD HOUSE 2024.
For starters, this 2024 version tries to catch the feel of the original, but Jake Gyllenhaal is too good an actor for the role. He works very well in places, but given the overall b-movieness the director and producers seem to be going for, Gyllenhaal was miscast.
Given Gyllenhaal's presence, I had expected a serious treatment of the story, not a poor rehash. In fact, the editing is so bad in places that I wonder whether it is a purposeful nod to the original. So, okay, I get it, but, then, again, why cast Jake Gyllenhaal?
Conor McGregor was also a poor choice, but in the opposite way. McGregor is over-the-top camp, very b-movie, but not believably so, not even to himself. He is cartoony. I hate him, but not in the right way. I never once believed that there any way in any universe that this guy would beat Dalton.
Outside that, the rest of the cast was well-selected, particularly Billy Magnussen as the hapless (son of the never seen) crime boss. He truly captures the essence of the film's feel, and creates a villain worth watching. His haircut and wardrobe are perfectly schlocky, counterbalancing his brilliant performance, and thus finding the b-movie vibe.
I laughed out loud a few times, because the gang members are pretty funny in places, as is appropriate in this kind of film. I was particularly engaged by the overly friendly and nonchalant treatment the talented Arturo Castro put on his character.
Overall, ROAD HOUSE 2024 is a must-watch for fans of the original, and it's not without its charm. However, the fact that this film tries so hard to emulate the original, rather than stand on its own legs, leaves me wondering how good it could have been. Otoh, did anyone really like the original Road House after the first viewing? Hmmm....
For starters, this 2024 version tries to catch the feel of the original, but Jake Gyllenhaal is too good an actor for the role. He works very well in places, but given the overall b-movieness the director and producers seem to be going for, Gyllenhaal was miscast.
Given Gyllenhaal's presence, I had expected a serious treatment of the story, not a poor rehash. In fact, the editing is so bad in places that I wonder whether it is a purposeful nod to the original. So, okay, I get it, but, then, again, why cast Jake Gyllenhaal?
Conor McGregor was also a poor choice, but in the opposite way. McGregor is over-the-top camp, very b-movie, but not believably so, not even to himself. He is cartoony. I hate him, but not in the right way. I never once believed that there any way in any universe that this guy would beat Dalton.
Outside that, the rest of the cast was well-selected, particularly Billy Magnussen as the hapless (son of the never seen) crime boss. He truly captures the essence of the film's feel, and creates a villain worth watching. His haircut and wardrobe are perfectly schlocky, counterbalancing his brilliant performance, and thus finding the b-movie vibe.
I laughed out loud a few times, because the gang members are pretty funny in places, as is appropriate in this kind of film. I was particularly engaged by the overly friendly and nonchalant treatment the talented Arturo Castro put on his character.
Overall, ROAD HOUSE 2024 is a must-watch for fans of the original, and it's not without its charm. However, the fact that this film tries so hard to emulate the original, rather than stand on its own legs, leaves me wondering how good it could have been. Otoh, did anyone really like the original Road House after the first viewing? Hmmm....