I was actually looking forward to “Road House,” the follow-up reimagining of the 1989 original directed by Rowdy Herrington and starring the late, amazing Patrick Swayze.
Both versions of action centered on dive barroom brawls are ridiculous, existing somewhere in the outskirts of fantasy land. In the first one, Swayze played an MIT graduate working as a bouncer in a tough Missouri honkytonk. The new version, directed by Doug Liman (“Edge of Tomorrow,” “Swingers”), puts Jake Gyllenhaal out front as a bouncer at a club in the Florida Keys.
Dalton (Gyllenhaal) packs a mean punch, but he also has a soft heart. He may beat up bar-house rowdies, but he also gives them the courtesy of driving them to the hospital. Gyllenhaal (“Nightcrawler,” “Brokeback Mountain”) has bulked up for his role and seems right at home resting or working out in a boat owned by Frankie (Jessica Williams), the bar owner.
Some will remember Daniela Melchoir, who plays Ellie, was in “The Suicide Squad” of 2021 as the character Ratcatcher 2.
“Road House” takes place in a close-knit community in the Florida Keys, just like the original slugged it out in a close-knit Missouri community.
Gyllenhaal’s Dalton is buff like Swayze was in the original, thanks to spending a fair amount of screentime exercising on the boat. He has to be careful not to fall in the water, though. A lurking crocodile is just waiting for a next victim.
Connor McGregor, who gained fame as a mixed martial arts fighter, portrays Knox, a smart-alecky thug. Unfortunately, he chews the scenery like it’s going out of style.
At least the fight scenes are well done. The audience gets a chance to watch people beat the crap out of each other.
The idea of a roadhouse, which they even make fun of in the movie, is a throwback to an Old West saloon.
I didn’t hate this redo, but I didn’t like it that much either. It’s one of those no-brainer action movies.
There is no thought required.
Grade: C-
