CREDIT: LIONSGATE
Josh Peck, Josh Hutcherson and Chris Hemsworth in Red Dawn.

Red Dawn (2012)

The latest in the recent string of Hollywood remakes has come to theatres just in time for the holiday season. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, Red Dawn is back again, reincarnated and re-imagined to give us a somewhat updated — yet no more creative or thoughtful — look at what happens when communists attack America.

In 1984, Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell and Charlie Sheen took action when, on the very cusp of the Second World War, Soviet forces invaded American soil. Now, in 2012, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson and Josh Peck band together to save modern-day American soil from a North Korean invasion. Directed by Dan Bradley, a heavy hitter in the world of Hollywood stuntmen, Red Dawn speaks of both the freshness of a new director's debut as well as the action-packed intensity of a project being headed up by someone who has done nearly every film stunt out there.

The film's plot follows the story of Jed Eckert, a United States Marine who is paying a visit to his family while on leave, and his younger brother Matt, who holds a mighty grudge against Jed for leaving the family for the Army after their mother tragically passed away. Soon after arriving, Jed awakens one morning to find North Korean paratroopers attacking their town. When Jed and Matt flee for their lives to head to their safehouse in the woods, they encounter a handful of teenagers who are seeking refuge. Once safely tucked away, Jed, Matt and the two boys who they saved along the way decide to take a stand and fight back in the name of freedom and America.

Chris Hemsworth takes the lead as Jed, and though this flick was filmed before the wild success and popularity of Thor, he proves that he has what it takes without a reputation to pull off an action-heavy character. Hemsworth gives it his all in a physically demanding performance, bringing a strong sense of realism to the character.

Stepping in beside Hemsworth as Jed's younger brother Matt is Josh Peck, in his transition from the small screen (Nickelodeon TV) to action flicks. Peck does an impressive job of holding his own against heavyweight Hemsworth, and when it comes time for him to play the gun-wielding soldier boy, he does a more than adequate job.

Josh Hutcherson, who fans will know from his role of Peeta in The Hunger Games, and Connor Cruise, son of Tom Cruise, round out the band of boys-turned-heroes as Robert and Daryl, respectively. Also of note in the cast are Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Marin Corps Sgt. Tanner, and Brett Cullen as Jed's father Tom.

Red Dawn is perhaps not the best action movie out there, but it is also far from the worst. With so many remakes hitting screens as of late, it is refreshing to find one that would be difficult to ruin anyway.

All in all, if you're looking for an action packed good night at the movies, Red Dawn is not a bad choice at all.

Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5