Sadly, this film suffers most from being so dated. The Cold War is over, so young viewers won’t really understand this Reagan era quasi-propaganda film. And of course, with today’s stereotyping of mid-westerners and conservatives as gun loving weirdos, this film has also been cited a few times in anti-gun and anti-militia propaganda.
The main point is this: just have fun with this movie and you won’t be disappointed. Yes, it’s cheesy- a rag-tag group of high school kids help defend their town from a Soviet invasion. Yes, it’s absurd- the film suggests that the Soviet Union teams up with Cuba and all of Latin America to strike at the heart and soul of freedom. And yes, it’s a bit unnerving- this film was taken fairly seriously when it came out and intensified fears about the spread of communism.
But look on the bright side- as long as you aren’t a gun hating pansy or an anti-military action liberal, you can enjoy this movie. The good guys and bad guys are clearly drawn out and you get to like the heroes after a while. There is a very real sense of confusion when the surprise invasion occurs and the young cast does a good job of maintaining their on-the-edge emotions through most of the film.
In theory, this film has a plausible plot. America won’t be the top dog forever, and perhaps someday our militias and gun supporters will once more be the saving grace of our nation. Probably not while we’re alive, but it’s still remotely plausible. Take Red Dawn with a grain of salt and settle in for a film that was once a thriller but now seems more outrageous. Besides, it’s got Patrick Sawyze, which girls will like, and it’s got lots of guns, which most guys will like.
Sadly, this film suffers most from being so dated. The Cold War is over, so young viewers won’t really understand this Reagan era quasi-propaganda film. And of course, with today’s stereotyping of mid-westerners and conservatives as gun loving weirdos, this film has also been cited a few times in anti-gun and anti-militia propaganda.
