The Internets lit up the other day when word came the RED DAWN remake was changing the bad guys from Chinese military to North Korean military. RED DAWN is in the can; it’s been sitting on a shelf because the studio behind it, MGM, is bankrupt. Reports say the change was a marketing move to appeal to Chinese moviegoers. Since the movie is completed, reshoots will be done and digital effects will change other images.
Partisan Rock On!
Many never saw the need for a remake. The original RED DAWN is a patriotic cold war classic from the red meat mind of John Milius. The movie tells of an invasion of the USA by Soviet and Cuban forces. It stars Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson, Jennifer Grey and Powers Boothe.
Word of the villain change set off a firestorm of new complaints. Many fear the new RED DAWN would be a PC/USA-bashing affair. The film’s producer says not so; he sent this email to the movie website Aint It Cool News:
“I know there is a lot of interest and questions as to the changes announced regarding Red Dawn.
This movie has been rebooted because the filmmakers all love the original movie. The experience of seeing Red Dawn as a young boy in the middle of a Cold War, was life changing for me and a generation. I assure you that everyone involved with the reboot is keenly aware of the responsibility of delivering a movie that can stand eye to eye with the original.
The changes made to Red Dawn in the last few weeks were made in consultation with military think tanks and people that specialize in game theory. Really smart people that spend their days constructing doomsday scenarios for our military and government. The type of people that know the limitations of the North Korean military. The type of people that can project a series of events that could lead to some very scary things happening to our Country. I can assure you, we listened well to those people, especially with regards to the capability of the North Korean military.
Red Dawn isn’t for everyone. So, if you are interested in seeing a movie filled with preachy political discussions – Red Dawn ain’t for you. If you love movies in which Americans are the bad guys – Red Dawn ain’t for you. If you get emotional watching daytime television – Red Dawn ain’t for you. If you’re a vegetarian – Red Dawn probably ain’t for you.
But! If you like meat with your potatoes, muscle cars that roar, tanks, guns and things blowing the fuck up by American’s kicking some Commie ass – then we have something special coming your way.
WOLVERINES!
Tripp Vinson”
Ain’t It Cool News says the film makers are determined to make the movie very plausible.
