scirceo

There is a lot I didn't like about ROAD HOUSE 2024.

For starters, this 2024 version tries to catch the feel of the original, but Jake Gyllenhaal is too good an actor for the role. He works very well in places, but given the overall b-movieness the director and producers seem to be going for, Gyllenhaal was miscast.

Given Gyllenhaal's presence, I had expected a serious treatment of the story, not a poor rehash. In fact, the editing is so bad in places that I wonder whether it is a purposeful nod to the original. So, okay, I get it, but, then, again, why cast Jake Gyllenhaal?

Conor McGregor was also a poor choice, but in the opposite way. McGregor is over-the-top camp, very b-movie, but not believably so, not even to himself. He is cartoony. I hate him, but not in the right way. I never once believed that there any way in any universe that this guy would beat Dalton.

Outside that, the rest of the cast was well-selected, particularly Billy Magnussen as the hapless (son of the never seen) crime boss. He truly captures the essence of the film's feel, and creates a villain worth watching. His haircut and wardrobe are perfectly schlocky, counterbalancing his brilliant performance, and thus finding the b-movie vibe.

I laughed out loud a few times, because the gang members are pretty funny in places, as is appropriate in this kind of film. I was particularly engaged by the overly friendly and nonchalant treatment the talented Arturo Castro put on his character.

Overall, ROAD HOUSE 2024 is a must-watch for fans of the original, and it's not without its charm. However, the fact that this film tries so hard to emulate the original, rather than stand on its own legs, leaves me wondering how good it could have been. Otoh, did anyone really like the original Road House after the first viewing? Hmmm....

There is nothing redeeming about this film. It seemed as if the script and story were being improvised, and I truly believe that they ran out of budget before they finished shooting, so they simply chopped what they had together. Do not waste your time.

I gotta say, I was surprised (as I'm sure The Goods' many detractors will be) by how much I laughed during this movie. The jokes were silly and often in the background. And funny.

I am really not sure what made me laugh so hard. I think it boiled down to the fact that The Goods is a good ol' raunchy comedy, but with a twist: It seems to be aimed at adults who have lived life a bit, not the Superbad crowd. (FWIW, I do not see the humor in Superbad. I tried. Twice. Couldn't get all the way through it. But was glad I had tried, because it allowed me to laugh out loud at one of the jokes in The Goods.) I am curious if there are older people (over the age of 40, let's say) out there who also dig the film.

As for Pivens' performance, I thought it was weak in the dramatic parts, but this is a comedy, so no harm no foul, and I understand that the dramatic story is there because producers feel it's necessary.

All the players were hilarious. I thought maybe the psycho WW2 vet was a bit over the top, but he did play that part well.

This is normally not my kind of movie -- cheap, raunchy humor is not my bag. I went on a whim and was pleasantly surprised.