One of the iconic musicals from the 1980s finally arrives on Blu-ray with new bonus features just in time to help promote the theatrical release of Paramount’s recent remake of Footloose. One would think this movie would not age well, but its story of teen rebellion and small town repression is just as fresh today as it was in 1984.
Footloose (Blu-ray)
Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment
US DVD Release Date: September 27, 2011
Original Release Year: 1984
Rated: PG
Running Time: 107 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 (English), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround (French), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (Spanish, Portuguese)
Subtitles: English, English (SDH), French, Spanish, Portuguese
Movie: 4 out of 5
Teenager Ren (Kevin Bacon) has just moved from Chicago to the small town of Bomont with his recently divorced mother (Frances Lee McCain, Gremlins). Ren is big on pop and rock and roll music (often rocking out in his VW Bug to Quiet Riot’s Bang Your Head), but quickly learns that the town has banned music and dancing after the son of the town’s preacher (John Lithgow) was killed in a car crash. Seen as an outsider, much of the town’s population also see Ren as a threat to their way of life, making things difficult for him in school, but manages to befriend Willard (the late Christopher Penn), Rusty (Sarah Jessica Parker), and catches the eye of the preacher’s rebellious daughter Ariel (Lori Singer). Ren eventually sets his sights on planning a Senior Prom, much to the chagrin of the town’s council, but succeeds with help from then owner of a grain mill factory in the neighboring town.
What makes Footloose work is its mixture of MTV-style dance sequences and montages (with help from some very catchy pop songs co-written by screenwriter Dean Pitchford and performed by Kenny Loggins, Deniece Williams, Sammy Hagar, and Bonnie Tyler) and strong performances from its (at the time) mostly unknown cast. Lithgow’s performance could have been the stereo-typed Bible-thumping town pastor, but instead brings him to the screen as a father conflicted over the death of his son, control-issues with his daughter, and wanting to do what is right for the town.
But when I think of Footloose, especially the theme song, I fondly remember my years as a volunteer instructor at Cinekyd in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, helping to teach media arts to teenagers, and as a mentor to those same teenagers. Kenny Loggins’ hit song was (and still is) so infectious that there was a young boy who so loved this song that he literally could not sit still whenever the song was played on the radio (much like Sarah Jessica Parker in the bar scene).
Video: 3 out of 5
Paramount brings Footloose to Blu-ray in what many will find as an acceptable 1080p transfer using the AVC codec, approximating the film’s originally intended aspect ratio of 1.85:1 by filling the 1.78:1 frame. Colors are consistent, and detail is much improved over the previous DVD release. Contrast varies throughout the film, with overexposed areas often appearing bright white, and there is some minor evidence of edge enhancement. This was a relatively low budget studio picture, so this may have some bearing on the transfer.
Audio: 4 out of 5
Originally released to theaters in 1984 in Dolby Stereo, this new DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 soundtrack is a marked improvement, even though it is mostly front-heavy. Dialogue is clear and directed to the center channel, for the most part. Music and atmospheric effects are spread out among the remaining channels, providing for a much more enveloping experience, with the LFE adding an extra kick to the low-ends of the pulsing rock soundtrack.
Special Features: 4 out of 5
This Deluxe Edition is loaded with extras, mostly featuring the film’s star, Kevin Bacon. Also included on the package is an online code for up to $7.50 off admission to the remake.
Commentary by Producer Craig Zadan and Screenwriter and Song Lyricist Dean Pitchford: This is a very interesting track, as the two long-time friends discuss how the project evolved, the difficulties getting the studio heads at Paramount to agree to cast Kevin Bacon (Dawn Steele was supposedly repulsed by him), shooting in Utah, working with director Herbert Ross, and additional difficulties in getting the final dance number included.
Commentary by Kevin Bacon: The actor discusses shooting on location in Utah (and some of the false scandals the locals conjured up), working with the cast and crew, preparing for the role, and the use of pop music. Another interesting commentary!
Let’s Dance! Kevin Bacon on Footloose (HD, 12:20): The actor discusses his work prior to landing the role in Footloose, the lengthy casting process which included screen tests, the dance rehearsals, working with a stunt double, shooting in Utah, and the large age difference between his character and himself.
From Bomont to the Big Apple: An Interview with Sarah Jessica Parker (HD, 7:37): The actress talks about being initially cast in the film while her series, Square Pegs, was on hiatus but passing and then eventually accepting the role of Rusty, working with Christopher Penn, Herbert Ross, Kevin Bacon, and Lori Singer.
Remembering Willard (HD, 6:11): Kevin Bacon and Sarah Jessica Parker reminisce about working with the late Christopher Penn, interspersed with archival interviews with Penn discussing his role as Willard and working on the film.
Kevin Bacon’s Screen Test (HD, 4:36): Kevin Bacon discusses the screen tests that were done as they appear on screen, including the $1500 haircut and wardrobe tests.
Kevin Bacon Costume Montage (HD, 2:50): The wardrobe tests are shown in their entirety with no narration.
Footloose: A Modern Musical - Part 1 (SD, 17:55): Ported from the 2004 DVD release, part one of this featurette covers a lot of the same material on the making of the movie from the two commentary tracks, but told through interviews with Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, Sarah Jessica Parker, Christopher Penn, John Lithgow, Craig Zadan, and Dean Pitchford, among others.
Footloose: A Modern Musical - Part 2 (SD, 12:05): Part two focuses more on the dance numbers, pivotal sequences from the film, and audience reaction to the film.
Footloose: Songs Tell A Story (SD, 13:54): Dean Picthford, Craig Zadan, composer Tom Snow, music supervisor Becky Mancuso-Winding, editor Paul Hirsch, Kenny Loggins, Sammy Hagar, and Mike Reno discuss the songs used in the film and how they helped to tell the story.
Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1:33): The trailer contains only one line of dialogue from the movie (Let’s dance!), but also offers brief glimpses of a few deleted scenes discussed in the writer/producer commentary track.
Overall: 3.5 out of 5
One of the first movies marketed on MTV makes its way to Blu-ray in an acceptable, but not great, transfer with a spruced up 6.1 soundtrack and a wealth of extras that fans of the film have been waiting for.
Original Release Year: 1984
Rated: PG
Running Time: 107 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 (English), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround (French), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono (Spanish, Portuguese)
Subtitles: English, English (SDH), French, Spanish, Portuguese
Movie: 4 out of 5
Teenager Ren (Kevin Bacon) has just moved from Chicago to the small town of Bomont with his recently divorced mother (Frances Lee McCain, Gremlins). Ren is big on pop and rock and roll music (often rocking out in his VW Bug to Quiet Riot’s Bang Your Head), but quickly learns that the town has banned music and dancing after the son of the town’s preacher (John Lithgow) was killed in a car crash. Seen as an outsider, much of the town’s population also see Ren as a threat to their way of life, making things difficult for him in school, but manages to befriend Willard (the late Christopher Penn), Rusty (Sarah Jessica Parker), and catches the eye of the preacher’s rebellious daughter Ariel (Lori Singer). Ren eventually sets his sights on planning a Senior Prom, much to the chagrin of the town’s council, but succeeds with help from then owner of a grain mill factory in the neighboring town.
What makes Footloose work is its mixture of MTV-style dance sequences and montages (with help from some very catchy pop songs co-written by screenwriter Dean Pitchford and performed by Kenny Loggins, Deniece Williams, Sammy Hagar, and Bonnie Tyler) and strong performances from its (at the time) mostly unknown cast. Lithgow’s performance could have been the stereo-typed Bible-thumping town pastor, but instead brings him to the screen as a father conflicted over the death of his son, control-issues with his daughter, and wanting to do what is right for the town.
But when I think of Footloose, especially the theme song, I fondly remember my years as a volunteer instructor at Cinekyd in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, helping to teach media arts to teenagers, and as a mentor to those same teenagers. Kenny Loggins’ hit song was (and still is) so infectious that there was a young boy who so loved this song that he literally could not sit still whenever the song was played on the radio (much like Sarah Jessica Parker in the bar scene).
Video: 3 out of 5
Paramount brings Footloose to Blu-ray in what many will find as an acceptable 1080p transfer using the AVC codec, approximating the film’s originally intended aspect ratio of 1.85:1 by filling the 1.78:1 frame. Colors are consistent, and detail is much improved over the previous DVD release. Contrast varies throughout the film, with overexposed areas often appearing bright white, and there is some minor evidence of edge enhancement. This was a relatively low budget studio picture, so this may have some bearing on the transfer.
Audio: 4 out of 5
Originally released to theaters in 1984 in Dolby Stereo, this new DTS-HD Master Audio 6.1 soundtrack is a marked improvement, even though it is mostly front-heavy. Dialogue is clear and directed to the center channel, for the most part. Music and atmospheric effects are spread out among the remaining channels, providing for a much more enveloping experience, with the LFE adding an extra kick to the low-ends of the pulsing rock soundtrack.
Special Features: 4 out of 5
This Deluxe Edition is loaded with extras, mostly featuring the film’s star, Kevin Bacon. Also included on the package is an online code for up to $7.50 off admission to the remake.
Commentary by Producer Craig Zadan and Screenwriter and Song Lyricist Dean Pitchford: This is a very interesting track, as the two long-time friends discuss how the project evolved, the difficulties getting the studio heads at Paramount to agree to cast Kevin Bacon (Dawn Steele was supposedly repulsed by him), shooting in Utah, working with director Herbert Ross, and additional difficulties in getting the final dance number included.
Commentary by Kevin Bacon: The actor discusses shooting on location in Utah (and some of the false scandals the locals conjured up), working with the cast and crew, preparing for the role, and the use of pop music. Another interesting commentary!
Let’s Dance! Kevin Bacon on Footloose (HD, 12:20): The actor discusses his work prior to landing the role in Footloose, the lengthy casting process which included screen tests, the dance rehearsals, working with a stunt double, shooting in Utah, and the large age difference between his character and himself.
From Bomont to the Big Apple: An Interview with Sarah Jessica Parker (HD, 7:37): The actress talks about being initially cast in the film while her series, Square Pegs, was on hiatus but passing and then eventually accepting the role of Rusty, working with Christopher Penn, Herbert Ross, Kevin Bacon, and Lori Singer.
Remembering Willard (HD, 6:11): Kevin Bacon and Sarah Jessica Parker reminisce about working with the late Christopher Penn, interspersed with archival interviews with Penn discussing his role as Willard and working on the film.
Kevin Bacon’s Screen Test (HD, 4:36): Kevin Bacon discusses the screen tests that were done as they appear on screen, including the $1500 haircut and wardrobe tests.
Kevin Bacon Costume Montage (HD, 2:50): The wardrobe tests are shown in their entirety with no narration.
Footloose: A Modern Musical - Part 1 (SD, 17:55): Ported from the 2004 DVD release, part one of this featurette covers a lot of the same material on the making of the movie from the two commentary tracks, but told through interviews with Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, Sarah Jessica Parker, Christopher Penn, John Lithgow, Craig Zadan, and Dean Pitchford, among others.
Footloose: A Modern Musical - Part 2 (SD, 12:05): Part two focuses more on the dance numbers, pivotal sequences from the film, and audience reaction to the film.
Footloose: Songs Tell A Story (SD, 13:54): Dean Picthford, Craig Zadan, composer Tom Snow, music supervisor Becky Mancuso-Winding, editor Paul Hirsch, Kenny Loggins, Sammy Hagar, and Mike Reno discuss the songs used in the film and how they helped to tell the story.
Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1:33): The trailer contains only one line of dialogue from the movie (Let’s dance!), but also offers brief glimpses of a few deleted scenes discussed in the writer/producer commentary track.
Overall: 3.5 out of 5
One of the first movies marketed on MTV makes its way to Blu-ray in an acceptable, but not great, transfer with a spruced up 6.1 soundtrack and a wealth of extras that fans of the film have been waiting for.
