Road House (2024) feels a tad like Cheers, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name.” This tepid reimagining of the iconic 1989 Patrick Swayze vehicle, which also benefitted greatly by having Sam Elliot, sans mustache, was hated by most film critics back in the day. Audiences, however, adored the movie.
Sadly, Elliot is too long in the tooth to play bouncer types, but his presence would not have improved upon this overly CG’d offer. Amazon took this project and instantly streamed it on their Prime services. Director Doug Liman puts his cast through their paces and even manages to get an over enthusiastic Conor McGregor to impress in his “introducing” role.
Jake Gyllenhaal plays the Swayze part; Dalton, James one each. An insanely ripped fighter who is relying on his rep to score easy wins in the bare knuckle world of cage fighting. Bar owner Frankie (Jessica Williams) really wants to hire him to clear up her place; The Double Deuce. Daniela Melchior plays the love interest and the local sheriff is played by Mike’s Film Talk favourite Joaquim de Almeida.
Side note: Almeida will probably never beat his over the top drug lord; Bucho, in 1995’s Desperado. But he still commands your attention when he is on screen. Even when his screen time is limited, as it is in Road House as the “Sheriff” he makes you look.
cheers
One amusing part of the new Road House, has Dalton being first amazed and then uncomfortable that everyone knows his name. This “Cheers” touch takes place after he clears out the riff-raff all by himself on the first night.
The 1989 Dalton was a philosopher at heart. This 2024 former UFC fighter, with a dark secret; think The Quiet Man, may well be the most Zen bouncer in history.
tis a western at heart
As some other critic pointed out via a YouTube review, both the 1989 original and this tropical remake, are basically westerns. Even the protagonist’s name, Dalton, is evocative of the old west. We can just imagine Gyllenhaal riding in with his white hat and cleaning up a rough town.
The fight scenes in this new version of Road House look good. However, the information that CG doubles were used for the choreographed punch-ups did not help the remake’s case at all. Sure this may have made the combatants look more real, but, using properly trained stuntmen could have gotten the same effect. Chocolate (2008) was a brilliant Thai martial arts film where everyone made contact and the fight scenes are memorable.
It also bears mentioning that CG was used a lot. Not just in the fight scenes. This move detracts from the films overall effect.
it is worth a look
This version of Road House “ain’t” that bad. Gyllenhaal works hard and the fight scenes between the actor and Knox (Conor McGregor) look good. Although, there is that brag about all those stunt double CG moments.
Check out the trailer and if it piques your interest give it a go. We think it is a solid 3.5 star offering. See what you think.
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