Review: Red Riding Hood

 

Title: Red Riding Hood
Production Co.: Warner Bros. Pictures, Appian Way, & Random Films

Release Date:  March 11th, 2011

Stars: Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Billy Burke, and Shiloh Fernandez

From Netflix:

In this horror-fantasy re-imagining of the classic tale, young Valerie juggles a difficult romantic decision with feelings of fear and grief as her town is terrorized by a legendary werewolf, which has killed her sister and hungers to feast again.

Red Riding Hood is one of those rare films where the book was made after the movie. I never heard of it before, but its an interesting idea. However, everything I head about it was bad. I heard the movie was alright and the book was downright horrible. Given that, and the fact that I trust many of those reviewers, I wasn't too keen on watching the movie. I only saw it because my family wanted to and.....I'm glad I watched it.

Valerie

Red Riding Hood is more than a retelling, but a re-imagining. It's a fresh look on the whole  story, and I absolutely loved it. The wolf in this story is werewolf instead, that preys on the small village every full moon. Life is relatively peaceful through the years when the wolf accepts the gift of prized livestock every full moon...until the werewolf kills Valerie's younger sister.


The plot thickens there, and you slowly realize that the plot's roots are deep and widely spread throughout the story. Even the romance is tied in, which is really nice. I love to see romances that matter; not the kind that are just added as side-sillies to entertain the reader or viewer.

Peter

Through out the film, I was rooting for Peter -- the story's MEGA hottie! -- to the point where I once yelled at the screen. Not even kidding. (My family thought I was bonkers) But I believe that when I can get that involved in a two hour story, that it was pretty well crafted. 

Peter & Valerie

I loved everything about this film; from the awesome digital graphics, casting, the acting, to the romance and action sequences.
An all around awesome film, and I'd recommend it for anyone over 10 (since the violence might give the wee little ones some nightmares and the romance scenes might cause awkward moments. ;] )


Also, just a side note...Peter (played by Shiloh Fernandez) is now on The Spork Master's list of hotties. He'll soon be on yours too...only if you watch the film though. ;D

I gave it FIVE out of FIVE sporks.

Hey, costume enthusiasts! If you love accurate costumes, then you'll love this movie too. The costumes are all authentic to the time period, and they are superbly done. Costumes to watch for in the film; Peter's (it's dark, but the close ups of his legs show the amazing laces of his pants and boots, and his tunic is nicely done), Valerie's (stitching, materials and garments all match the era), and any of the armor.