Dalton, a former mixed martial arts professional, is hired to calm things down in a bar on the Florida coast. However, behind the little thugs hide criminals with fierce determination.
Road House, by Rowdy Herrington, is an emblematic film of the 1980s. First, because it stars a star of the time, Patrick Swayze. Then, like many other popular titles of this period, it relies on comic violence, some moments of romance and male camaraderie with little regard to the plot or the coherence of events.
There’s nothing wrong with revisiting these works, but we have to admit that some aspects have not aged well. The interest in offering a new version lies – in part – in the possibility of updating them.
In the case of Road House 2024, its artisans first made the choice to adapt the action to that of today. Patrick Swayze’s skillful kicks in the faces of drunkards who slouch on the wooden furniture of a small bar in Missouri give way to brutal fights between mixed martial arts experts and frantic boat chases. Doug Liman’s camera (Edge of Tomorrow, The Bourne Identity, Swingersa favorite work) is nervous and the cuts are frequent and abrupt, which offers a not always happy contrast with Jake Gyllenhaal’s affable Dalton.
The actor’s performance Prisoners And Brokeback Mountain is undoubtedly the strong point of this remake. His presence and confidence are reminiscent of Swayze with more muscles. The charm works just as much when he delivers classic lines. However, we feel him more haunted by his demons than the Dalton of 1989.
This time, he will not hesitate to put his life on the line to thwart the plans of Ben Brandt (Billy Magnussen) who wishes to raze Frankie’s (Jessica Williams) bar, who at no time fears for the health of his new employee. In his mission, Dalton will face Knox, played by real fighter Connor McGregor. The latter seems to play its own role and accentuates the slide towards the ridiculousness of the story in the second half. Everyone loses their minds, except the doctor Ellie (Daniela Melchior) who tries in vain to calm her new lover, despite being so relaxed at their first meeting. When the dust settles, we are as relieved as she is that it’s over.
We finish the new one Road House stunned when passing the thought that even if the original is outdated, we miss its carefree atmosphere. Then, we remember that the best version of Road House is that of Family Guy (season 8, episode 4).
Action
Road House
(VF: Roadside bar)
Doug Liman
With Jake Gyllenhaal, Daniela Melchior, Billy Magnussen
2:01 a.m.
On Prime Video