User reviews

"Red Riding Hood" (2006) is a silly version of the Grimm Brothers tale with annoying songs. Maybe a child may like this film, but for an adult it is unbearable. Certainly I am not the target audience of this film. Unfortunately I did not pay attention to the IMDb User Rating that should warn that it is a film for children only. My vote is three.

Title (Brazil): "Chapeuzinho no Século XXI" ("Riding Hood in the Century XXI")

The creativeness of this movie was lost from the beginning when the writers and directors left out a good story line, only to substitute with horrible special affects. This movie seemed to be focused on amusing children, but couldn't even accomplish that. Many small low budget films have the potential to become great movies, but this movie is no where near that. Fortunately this will be another film easily made, and easily forgotten. This movie was probably a chance for the actors to make a little money on the side until their chance came along for a real role in a good movie. Anyone who has a shred of respect for films, should avoid seeing this movie at all costs.

I watched this movie with a girl I was babysitting and I found it surprisingly inappropriate. First, an eleven-year-old looking "Red" plans on sneaking out of the house wearing lots of make-up and little clothes. Weird. Then "Red" dresses up in pretty much just a red hood and boots; she looked pretty naked. Afterwards she develops a crush on a man eight years her senior and even has a fantasy about him which isn't too innocent. Also, the "wolf" sings a song about "red" that is filled with sexual innuendos.

Otherwise, the special effects are terrible and it seems that the WHOLE movie was shot in front of a green screen.

I wouldn't recommend this for anybody because it is shocking and just a terrible movie.

Relying on the positive reviews above, we saw a free screening of this last night. Now I KNOW that filmmakers plant positive reviews, because there is no way an objective individual could have written these. "Destined to become a 'cult classic'"?? The theater was packed, apparently with friends and families of the production crew, because only a few of us walked out by the first hour.

The songs were the most literal I've ever heard in a musical – "don't take the short cut, honey, there's a wolf in the woods..". Debi Mazar's eyes blinked furiously as she struggled to sing. Fortunately, most of the tunes lasted for only a few lines.

Now, whoever plays the wolf in this tale should be charming and seductive. Instead, we get Joey Fatone, ex N'Syncer, living up to his last name as he's not aged well. He's not exactly lithe with his extra 50 pounds and junior high school-quality makeup and out-of-tune singing. Seriously, this guy was in vocal group? The rest of the actors are semi-adequate, but can't do much about the unimaginative script. You know, it is possible to write for adults and children at the same time – see under "Pixar".

On the positive side, the virtual sets looked nice and were well-integrated with the actors. And it wasn't as offensive as "Crash".

Creepy & lascivious wolf. The young "Red" is wearing full make-up, and extremely short shorts & robe. Got about 20 minutes through and realized it could be a pedophile's dream come true. The "up-beat" music sounds a lot like something I'd hear at a strip club. I actually think this movie is a sick joke - it's not a family movie. Gross, glad I was watching this with my daughter, I don't want her to think it's normal for families to view quasi kiddie porn together. Very bad, Very sad it's sold as a family film, Joey Fatone will probably be embarrassed he was in it. And what's with advertising it as a "special effects spectacular"??? The effects do look low budget, gawd awful.

Just because someone is under the age of 10 does not mean they are stupid. If your child likes this film you'd better have him/her tested. I am continually amazed at how so many people can be involved in something that turns out so bad. This "film" is a showcase for digital wizardry AND NOTHING ELSE. The writing is horrid. I can't remember when I've heard such bad dialogue. The songs are beyond wretched. The acting is sub-par but then the actors were not given much. Who decided to employ Joey Fatone? He cannot sing and he is ugly as sin.

The worst thing is the obviousness of it all. It is as if the writers went out of their way to make it all as stupid as possible. Great children's movies are wicked, smart and full of wit - films like Shrek and Toy Story in recent years, Willie Wonka and The Witches to mention two of the past. But in the continual dumbing-down of American more are flocking to dreck like Finding Nemo (yes, that's right), the recent Charlie & The Chocolate Factory and eye-crossing trash like Red Riding Hood.

I watched this as preparation for the Tim Burton "Alice in Wonderland." That and "Riding Hood" are surely among the most stretched, adapted and versioned stories ever told. Red is particularly interesting because the versions all contain the same elements: girl, wolf, grandma, hunter. Woods.

But it ranges from political allegory to sexual allusion. The background is so rich that almost any version is fun.

This one is particular fun. I would recommend it.

Some commentors think the sexual overtones are inappropriate. Well, phooey. Any youngster that gets that can benefit from the way it is handled. Lighthouse? Weenie roast? Over-sized Musket? "Fill out" so she can be tastier? Hey, you should have seen the last red Riding Hood I saw: the very clever porn version.

Other commentors are offended by the flamboyant staging and effects. Gosh, though it has a metallic aftertaste, I loved it. Every effect was deliberately shown to be an effect within a story.

The framing is that Lainie Kazan plays a grandmother who reads the story featuring her two grandkids — one of whom is Red. The wolf is a werewolf who can assume the appearance of his victims. There is the sort of dumb moralizing that is required in kiddie fare, but it is mixed in with a hodge podge of parallel lessons and jokes. The werewolf develops a split personality, making it possible for every character to have two identities.

Film enthusiasts will know Lainie, who created a key role in introspective film in "My Favorite Year." She has grown into a stereotypical Jewish grandmother, of the sort maintained on stage. She has that character here, and it adds a welcome tone. But she really is the weakest element: every time she is on screen, we cannot wait for het to get off.

See it. I expect it will be no more scrambled, excessive, stereotypical and sexual than Burton's Alice.

Red's cloak/hood is often a dramatic character itself. Red, her mother and her grandmother are all redheads.

Ted's Evaluation -- 3 of 3: Worth watching.

Absolute garbage. Horrible acting, writing, sfx, songs, etc. It kinda fits into the "so bad it's funny" genre, but it also gives you a splitting headache.

Teenage Claire (Morgan Thompson) would rather hang out with her friends at the mall than to stay home with her brother Matt while Grandma babysits. Who wouldn't? Unfortunately, Grandma isn't about to let Claire out of the house. Worse, she insists that Claire and Matt listen to her reworking of the Brothers Grimm classic tale "Little Red Riding Hood". Fortunately, Grandma has a sense of humor, and adds some modern twists. Claire imagines herself as Red, and her brother, parents and grandma as....her brother, parents and grandma.

Although this movie's star drawing power is represented by Lainie Kazan as Grandma, singer Joey Fatone as the werewolf and Cassandra Peterson (a.k.a. Elvira, Mistress Of The Dark) in a small role, the real fun is watching freckle-faced Thompson and Sam Stone (who plays Matt and Rusty) reciting their one-liners. Oh sure, there's the songs and CG effects, but it's the characters and dialogue that you'll remember. (When the werewolf as Grandma tells Red that she must eat to "fill out", Red looks at her chest and says, "Yeah, I know.") Undeniably the funniest version of this story that I've seen.

IMDb and other web sites claim 2004 as the year of release, however Key DVD (20th Century Fox's revival of Key Home Video, the company Fox created to distribute movies it was too embarrassed to put it's name on) claims both 2005 and 2006 copyright dates on the box, while the film itself states 2006.

For the record, this is my fourth and final "Little Red Riding Hood" review.

For me, the best reason to watch this Red Riding Hood version is the Hunter played by Henry Cavill. He is so charming here, and what a beautiful man. The music is fun too. The Director also filmed Grease and Blue Lagoon. I enjoy those movies also. I do not understand why so many people are writing so much negative stuff about this movie. Really this was fun, and yes there is a few places that are not so great. But I don't care. If I like watching a movie, I do not care if someone else puts it down so much. If you want to view an incredible wonderful and handsome man like this Henry Cavill, then you will almost certainly want to rent this movie. Hats off to Henry and everyone else. Enjoy.

This movie is downright amazing, and creepily weird as hell at the same time, but that's really what makes it so different and great. It's not for everyone, but Henry cavil makes it all worth it.

After reading other user comments this movie sounded like the worst movie ever made but there is nothing wrong with it! It is a perfectly OK, entertaining family movie. I found the look of it quite attractive and colorful particularly the background as Red was cycling through the landscape on her way to Grandma's house. It is merely a modern interpretation of an old fairy tale. I thought the idea of Laine Kazan engaging her two grandchildren's attention by reading to them, especially as the girl wanted to go out with her friends, was very nice and affirming showing the power of a good story and encouraging reading as well as family bonding. also the girl playing Red was very good and has a promising future ahead of her as an actress.

Like all adaptations there are varying degrees of differences to the original text, however the reviews some of the others are ridiculously narrow-minded, this adaptation is a new / novel approach to an old theme. The original text was to warn children to adhere to parental advice and if you do not the consequences would be dire. This adaptation takes into consideration the changing world and what is seen as normal in today's society, just because this film has the courage to do so and reflect it back onto the viewing audience - I say the writer / producer / director team did extremely well. Don't deny artistic integrity, embrace it and encourage the arts. OK its not your cup of tea - do not brandish it paedophilic in its interpretation.

Some girls had princess phases, I had a red riding hood phase. When I was young, I'd beg my mom to rent this from blockbuster over and over. I loved it! Yeah, now it's a bit outdated and the effects are cheesy, but I still love it more than anything. It's very funny and I still love watching it from time to time. 7/10 for the nostalgia, -3 for the bad effects and sometimes inappropriate themes (I.e. the way the wolf was singing about red sounded kinda sus sometimes lmfaoo)

This movie, obviously, is not a Hollywood blockbuster, and its target audience is kids, so it should be judged accordingly. That said, my daughters, ages 6 and 8, are absolutely delighted by this movie, and when I finally gave in to their insistent pleas that I watch it with them, I could see why. It's obvious that it must have been one of the most fun movies ever to make. It's nothing but silly, but it's loads of fun. All the actors, including the kids, have a great time with their parts, and ham it up at every opportunity. The gags surrounding the juxtaposition between modern life and the classic tale of Red Riding Hood fly by so quickly that before you are finished appreciating one, you've missed two or three more. Joey Fatone is hilarious, and should have won an Oscar for his complete transformation between two simultaneous roles. Anyone who rates this movie poorly didn't watch it with an 8-year-old. Disclaimer: I loved "The Wizard of Speed and Time."

Claire is a new middle schooler who is longing to flex her maturity. One night, when her parents (Debi Mazar and Daniel Roebuck) are going on a date, she makes plans to sneak out and meet friends at the mall. Trouble is, her younger brother Rusty finds out about the potential escapade and tells their Grandma-babysitter (Lainie Kazan) the scoop. Naturally, Grandma calls Claire out on it. But, first Grandma suggests that she be allowed to read them a fairy tale and, perhaps, Claire will be able to go meet her friends. Both kids grimace and groan. Yet, G-mama insists and suggests that the two younger folks invent new aspects for the chosen tale, Red Riding Hood. The kids agree. Claire, who turns into Red, wants the family to live in a lighthouse at the edge of the woods and Rusty is avid for the wolf to become a werewolf (Joey Fatone). Red starts out bicycling up a beautiful coastline, then turns into the forest which leads to Grandmas house. G-ma (also Lainie Kazan) has been ill so Red is bringing her chicken soup in a thermos and crackers, too. Meanwhile, the werewolf devours a fisherman plus three nagging girls in charge of a toll bridge and he has his eyes on Red but his alter ego suggests he go to Grandma's first, eat her, and then wait for RRH, thus having a multi-course dinner. So, he does and he waits. All the while, Red sings some songs, the WW sings some songs and the rest of the family members chime in, too, to add in the fun. Will someone step out to rescue Red from the Wolf, as in the original story? This fun little musical version of a classic has something for most viewers. Since the stars are of varying ages, different generations will appreciate the film. Then, too, the scenery is lovely while the costumes, songs, script and direction add to the enjoyment. Very important, too, is the fact that the film subtly encourages reading and the use of the imagination, both good values. Families, you haven't seen it all if you haven't caught this new version of an old, old tale.

I've only seen a few clips of this film on Youtube and it was hilarious!

Everything about it was funny and i thought Morgan Thompson was absolutely fantastic, and the fact that she was born in Australia is even better.

So aside from the obvious low budget appearance, I think to enjoy this film is to appreciate its simplicity rather then looking for sexual innuendos, special effects, etc...It's a family film, aimed majority at kids who don't absorb this kind of nonsense. Furthermore, how many times have they seen a half naked girl on TV anyways or anything related to the word SEX?

I really want to watch the rest of the film because from what i've seen so far, it looks like a good film to have a hearty laugh at.

Following a rocky path or even "the yellow brick road" is a thing of the past. This modern day "Red Riding Hood" rolls along luxurious celluloid never deamed of before...

Over the bridge and through the dell will lead to Grandmother's house in a new way. Enter the dewy "rainbow" of film technology seen with this Red Riding Hood. The path now leads through an afore programmed multi dimensional virtual forest teeming with moving camera angles to maximize the "onion-layered" panorama. Advanced photographic systems are pegged to computers that house the real time production of virtual effects, easily allowing viewers to enter a "dance along" three dimensional fantasy world.

Red Riding Hood (2005) distributed by 20th Century Fox may be thought of as the first motion picture in an improved era of film making.

Randal Kleiser's directorship of Debi Mazar, Lainie Kazan, Joey Fatone, Henry Cavill, Ashley Rose Orr, Andrea Bowen, Morgan Thompson and many others augments the lavish musical style of this Red Riding Hood production.

David Stump (winner of an Acadamy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Technical Achievement Award) who was the Visual Effects Director of the X2 series and Garfield, Scott Billups (Effects Director of Jurasic Park and Mulholland Drive) who Andrew Marton of Premiere magazine describes as "One of the most-accomplished, most sought-after digital effects artists in Hollywood.", B. Sean Fairburn who is respected by his peers as one of the most talented and knowledgeable High Definition Directors of Photography in the business, and Steve Sobisky (Effects Supervisor of Aritfical Intelligence AI and Shrek) who came from DreamWorks to plan and help produce the special effects, all benefit much to the final excellent film qualities shown in Red Riding Hood.

The total effect of a movie like this creates a lasting memory.

Actors are well cast. Morgan Thompson is a natural for Red. Lainie Kazan, Debi Mazar and Joey Fatone work well in this lively musical. The chivalrous exploits of Henry Cavill apply a temper-pin to the dramatic, bringing forth magnificence. Andrea Bowen, Daniel Roebuck, and Cassandra Peterson (aka Elvira) are more than film worthy.

Music is up-beat and with staying power for this genre. Bruce Roberts came through with original tracks that are fun and easy to listen to. The rich and vibrant scores flow well and may be the strongest feature of this colorful musical that is both avant-guard and mainstream family entertainment.

Randal Kleiser and David Stump are perfect for the production skill requirements. High Def Magazine Volume 5, Issue 4 cover is Morgan Thompson in "Red Riding Hood" with a full cover story by Jack Serino.

Sandman Studios was over six months building the virtual sets for the 3D special effects and over two years in post production. SFX are done using hardware and computer systems from Germany, Norway and the United States that have been followed by Hollywood as the new way of making pictures in the future. Baytech Cinema and FotoKem complete the new era technology by making "Red Riding Hood" the first-time-on-film do... I think this movie to be distributed by 20th Century Fox will be closely watched by High Def people.

"Red Riding Hood" with Director Randal Kleiser is designed to take you on a journey that leaves "hum-drum reality" floating somewhere in the imaginary forest. A good flick for kids of all ages. Especially, new millennium kids.

"Red Riding Hood" empires battle-worthy "new technology" special effects arranged, photographed, and completed by experts from twelve countries.

The mostly virtual reality sets are very creative. Multi-layered virtual effects were live-on-demand programmed into the sets, creating a 3D look that is enhanced by expert Director of Photography David Stump and cameraman B. Sean Fairburn.

Bruce Robert's music is lively and works well with the action line.

Randal Kleiser who directed "Grease" also directs this film musical...

"Red Riding Hood" features a "previously unknown" as Red who is likable with both kids and adults.

Joey Fatone, Debbie Mazar, and Lainie Kazan work well in this musical drama. The entire cast is full of life.

There is the possibility this film will become a "cult classic."

I didn't think I would enjoy this movie. It's low-budget, and the trailer looked like something a 13-year-old could put together in Windows Movie Maker. I rented it anyway, because I am a huge fan of Henry Cavill.

I LOVED IT. There aren't words to describe how hilarious this movie is. I think the cheesy, low-budget special effects were priceless.

The story is timeless -- but this movie gives it a more modern edge and a unique flair. Morgan Thompson as Claire was delightful, Joey Fatone was hilarious as the Wolf, and Henry Cavill was delicious as the Hunter. The songs are addictive and fun. I've been humming one of them for weeks now.

This is a rare gem that kids and adults can enjoy equally. It's a great movie to watch with your family. I've already recommended it to a few people, all of whom have shared my opinion.

Fleetmind is out of her mind! (just read the rest of her "bug-up-her-ass" reviews.) Would you trust the judgment someone who hated, "The Incredibles"? She sounds like the mean old lady down the street and is completely clueless when it comes to kid's movies.

I saw Randall Kleiser's "Red Riding Hood" at digital screening in Hollywood with an industry audience who laughed and applauded the jokes - which update and parody the classic Grimm's fairy tale. This movie is utterly charming, witty, campy and fun. Children, especially girls, will love this movie --- unless they are given a poisoned apple from an evil witch, like Fleetmind.