Red Riding Hood Review: It’s Sundown On Twilight

If you’ve seen the trailers for Red Riding Hood, and you are aware that Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke sits at the helm as director again – then you know what you’re getting into. There are so many similarities between the two films it’s almost uncanny for the viewer. Between the sweeping mountain and forest shots and the fact that the love interest of Valerie, aka Red Riding Hood (played by Amanda Seyfried), has the exact same haircut as Robert Pattinson – the movie almost feels like a sequel. I kid you not, there’s one scene which shows the silhouette of both Valerie and Peter (played by Shiloh Fernandez) in which it’s dejà vu. The crowd snickered also, because they too picked up on the fact it looked like Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson.

Is it more entertaining for the guys than Twilight? Without question. Amanda Seyfried is much more entertaining and seductive to watch in comparison to Kristen Stewart’s portrayal of Bella. Is it as romantically misleading as Twilight? No. The two male leads are not given enough material in order to get the audience on their side. The result is you feel emotionally unattached to both of them – and you couldn’t care less who Valerie ends up. It’s not Jacob and Edward here.

Stepping away from the comparisons to Twilight that simply had to be acknowledged – The film did have some great moments. My favorite was the celebration scene which occurs after the town believes they’ve rid themselves of the big bad wolf. The music paired with the cinematography… topped off with the perfect music selection and eerie costumes made for a haunting scene that was without doubt stick in your mind. Besides that scene, the rest of it was just blah to me. It was either over the top (which I’m not entirely sure was on purpose) or it was lackluster in its appeal.

The story was simple enough with a couple twists to the tale we all grew up. Valerie isn’t on the way to Grandmother’s house though she does visit a couple times. She lives in a village that is plagued by a werewolf. Every full moon the town makes its sacrifices. And for 20 years those sacrifices work pretty well – but then the devastation returns. The impending blood bath surrounds the trials of Valerie’s love life. She’s in love with Peter, but promised to Henry (played by Max Irons – Jeremy Irons’ very handsome son). When the werewolf takes an interest in Valerie, both Peter and Henry try to save her – but again audiences aren’t given enough to be Team Peter or Team Henry. As far as who the wolf is? You know how these types of films work, Red Riding Hood is no different. They want you to suspect everyone, so that when you discover the identity of the wolf – you won’t have seen it coming. I’ll sadly admit they got me. Though in my defense I did suspect it – I just thought they were going to go in a different direction.

In closing, I have to say to Catherine Hardwicke that I don’t think this will be the cash cow for her that Twilight was. I think the concept behind Red Riding Hood was intriguing. I think the cinematography was beautiful. The soundtrack – superb. Yet, the film sat lacking the ability to emotionally connect with the audience, and the script failed to excite or seduce the masses the way I think it could have.

With all of that being said, if you like Twilight, you’ll probably enjoy Red Riding Hood – just don’t except to develop mad crushes on either Peter or Henry.

Grade: C

Want more Red Riding Hood, the film hits theaters today – and we also have an awesome contest for the film with over $200 worth of swag! Check it out here: Red Riding Hood Contest

Review By: Emma Loggins

Responses

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  1. I wanna see this movie for Amanda Seyfried alone, been a big fan of hers for a while, and am interested in seeing her in a role thats different, she seems to have become the queen of romantic comedies.

  2. It’s more suspenseful. There is a fare amount of gore though. Not overly so – but there’s definitely a few scenes where you will say “That wasn’t necessary.” Even though I didn’t give it a great review – I was still entertained while watching it. It was a beautiful film – just not as original as I would have hoped for. And yes, Amanda Seyfried is stunning in it. Overall, I just wish there had been more substance there.

  3. Thats the feeling I got from the commercials/previews Emma. Its a shame its not more original. I’m still going to see it. Probably on dvd. I don’t do well with gore at the theater. LOL

  4. I’m not so sure that i’m sold on the idea of Red Ridinghood being set up as a romance. =( I used to love the tale as a child and seeing it thrown out on the big screen in the way it has makes me unsure if I will like it.

    I think when a director gets a big hit as she has with Twilight it sometimes plans the way they take their future features. Its a shame from your review Emma that she chose to follow suit. I think i’d happlily watch it in hopes that I could set it apart from the stereotype I have already given it as I was so excited when I saw they were expanding on this fairy tale!

    We’ll see…

  5. Yeah when I first saw the trailers I was like alright… this could be cool. Afasiafly, I’m definitely interested to know your thoughts on it if you do see it as I think we’re on the same page 🙂

  6. I’ll probably buy it on DVD, I hate the thought of renting it, falling in love and having to give it back! 😛 I’ll be sure to drop you a line Emma as and when I do watch it. I think i’ve compelled myself to having to watch it just to answer my own questions. Haha.

  7. haha 🙂 I’ll be interested to see what kind of specials they do on their DVD release. They’ll probably be some good stuff in there! Definitely let me know what you think though! 🙂