Dalton (Jake Gyllenhaal) is an ex-UFC fighter with a tragic past. With little money to his name, Dalton spends his days earning cash fighting in underground clubs. Given Dalton’s reputation, most times, he walks in for a fight, and the opponent refuses to fight him, instead walking away, making Dalton the instant winner. But one day, when Dalton has an altercation in the carpark outside a club, Frankie (Jessica Williams) is among the onlookers. When Frankie witnesses what Dalton is capable of and how tough he is when it comes to pain and fighting, Frankie makes Dalton an offer. Frankie is the proud owner of ‘The Road House’ in the Florida Keys. The club has seen better days and is attracting the wrong kind of customers who enjoy trashing the place. Frankie claims the local police are of no help and that all the bouncers have run off. Seeking help, Frankie offers Dalton five thousand per week for one month to get the club back into good health. At first, Dalton refuses, claiming he’s not interested. But after taking a drive and even considering suicide, he has a change of heart, even more so when his car gets totalled.
Dalton catches a bus to Florida to work at The Road House. Upon arriving in town, he meets the locals and walks into the establishment, only to witness rude customers harassing staff and destroying property. Fights break out between customers and staff, and Dalton finds himself in the middle. He ends up in the hospital after a significant battle with rude locals. Taking his injuries lightly and still smiling, he even approaches a hospital worker, Ellie (Daniela Melchior), about starting a romantic relationship. But Dalton’s problems escalate further when a wealthy man named Ben (Billy Magnussen) plans to destroy The Road House, and Knox (Conor McGregor) is tasked with taking down the business by any means necessary. Instead of the new life in the sun he had been hoping for, he finds himself in hell.
Road House is a remake of an action film with the same title, released in 1989. This time, the movie was directed by Doug Liman, who is famous for his work on Mr and Mrs Smith, Edge of Tomorrow, and The Bourne Identity. As a fan of the original film, I am pleased to say that this remake has new elements and is not merely a copy of the previous movie. The film’s location, subplots, Dalton’s background, and the style of action scenes have all been updated to create a fresh take on the story.
Jake Gyllenhaal portrays Dalton as a charismatic and authoritative character with good looks. He handles the action sequences well but lacks playfulness in areas such as romance. In some scenes, we see Dalton training key staff and then sitting and observing from afar. Despite this, he brings dramatic weight to the character by revealing his dark and tragic past as the film progresses. As Dalton becomes angrier, he becomes more dangerous. While Patrick Swayze remains my favourite portrayal of this character, Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance is still pleasing in many ways. On the flip side, Connor McGregor’s character is a lot more fun and is ultimately a loud human weapon who does what he pleases without hesitation. Although the film has multiple characters, at its core, it is all a showdown between Jake Gyllenhaal and Conor McGregor, and both actors are a significant part of the film.
Some action sequences in the film include CGI, and the tracking shots are fast-paced and unexpected. When the camera follows fist punches or zooms in and out quickly, the camera zipping around makes these scenes feel less natural or exciting. Some fight scenes reminded me of cut scenes or finish moves, like those seen in Mortal Kombat video games. Although the pacing for most scenes is excellent, the weaker aspect of the movie, just like the original film, is the silly and weak villain. Even the romance element seems weaker here and not crucial, slowing the film down at various points. Nevertheless, the action makes the movie engaging and exciting, especially in the film’s finale.
Overall, I understand what you might think – “here’s another remake”. However, this film version is not just a copy of the original. Many changes are made, most of which are welcome, such as the setting and the character development of Dalton. The film is mainly based on the performances of Jake Gyllenhaal and Connor McGregor and the tension between their characters. While some subplots and side characters are not as interesting, these subplots and characters don’t detract from the overall enjoyment. Speaking of action, the fight scenes are mindless, brutal, and gritty, but they are still entertaining. However, for some, the filming style may make them seem less impactful and realistic. In conclusion, Road House is an amusing place to visit for fans of the original and newcomers alike.
6.5/10
17th March 2024
Written by Peter Walkden
Walkden Entertainment Podcasts Are Now Available!
0 Comments