I'd been looking forward to Red Riding Hood since I saw the first trailer which included the words 'From the Director of Twilight'. It showed stunning visuals of trailing red capes across snow covered mountains and forests, lots of steamy sexual tension and a love triangle. My inner 12 year old (who is also a not so hidden Twilight fan) was squeeing with delight.
As it turned out, I wasn't meant to see Red Riding Hood on opening night, some point over the weekend for sure, but not opening night. I was meant to be seeing Your Highness, but the timing didn't work out and so Red Riding Hood it was. I wasn't fussed really as I wanted to see both films. Maybe Red Riding Hood slightly more owing to the Twilight fan within who was still squeeing away.
So off we went, my best friend, my cinema buddy and I. My best friend having already devoured the book of the film. Yes I did say book of the film. Rather than the other way around. Not that Red Riding Hood is completely new of course. It's based loosely on the fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood who goes to visit grandma only to find that grandma has been eaten by the big bad wolf. Here Red is named Valerie. She lives in a small village and is in love with Peter, a woodcutter like Valerie's father. Knowing the life of a woodcutters wife, Valerie's mother has arranged for her to marry Henry, who's wealth will secure a good future for Valerie. If only this was the only drama going on in the village. But no! They also have to endure the monthly terror of the wolf that means they have to regularly sacrifice their best livestock to ensure it leaves the inhabitants alone. Until one day when the wolf kills an innocent girl, and the villagers decide it's time to end the wolf once and for all.
While watching the film I couldn't help but think it was a great coincidence that Catherine Hardwicke's next venture - after being replaced as the director of New Moon - was a film involving warewolves. It's as if she wanted to say "this is how I'd have done wolves, if I'd been allowed". And although I'm not New Moon's biggest fan I'm relieved she didn't do it. The wolves looked similar enough to the Twilight wolves that there was no cosmetic differences. Therefore I can't see what else Catherine would have brought to the film that Chris Weisz didn't. Other than dodgy wobbly hand held camera work (to indicate a watching wolf) which frankly I don't think New Moon particularly missed out on.
The acting was decent enough by the seasoned members of the cast - Burke, Christie and Oldman - but the script let them all down so much that you couldn't really say it was great. They simply did what they could with the material at hand. A pity then that the leading lady felt the need to let them all down even further with her truly terrible performance. She had one expression through the entire movie.
Shocked:
Upset:
Confused:
Afraid:
All emotions shared this same expression. I'm sure you'll agree that they're variations on a theme.
While I'm not Seyfried's biggest fan I think I'd go so far as to say this was her worst performance to date. I can't say for sure that had she been better, the film would have been too, but I'm sure it would have helped. Cast wise, this leaves newcomers Fernandez and Irons and while both are admittedly very pretty, it wasn't enough to save the film from being a dreary, laughable mess.
My friend who'd read the book thought the film was quite good, so maybe it was just me. Or maybe the script doesn't seem so shocking if you've read the book? Either way, I'd say that this is not the kick off to the big summer movies I was hoping it would be. Rather it's one to avoid, at least if you've not read the book. 5 out of 10.
Viewing Date - 15th April 2011
UK Release Date - 15th April 2011
Cast Overview:
Amanda Seyfried ~ Valerie
Billy Burke ~ Cesaire
Virginia Madsen ~ Suzette
Julie Christie ~ Grandmother
Shiloh Fernandez ~ Peter
Max Irons ~ Henry
Gary Oldman ~ Father Solomon
Lukas Haas ~ Father Auguste
Director ~ Catherine Hardwicke
Writer ~ David Johnson
Brilliant!
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