High flying blockbuster action movie Roadhouse is a 2024 remake of the riveting Patrick Swayze 1980s original, about a down-and-out cage fighter who receives an offer from a bar owner to provide door security, only to find out there are nefarious dealings under the surface.
Even if I didn’t watch this movie at the World premiere for opening night at SXSW 2024 with Jake Gyllenhaal, Conor McGregor, Post Malone, and Joaquim de Almeida all sitting in the packed theatre with me, I would have still had an incredibly fun experience.
There is no end to the laughs, cheeky quips, and explosive action in this film, from the minute it opens to the closing scene. Screenplay writers Mondry, Bagarozzi and Turner have done a sterling job here. Watching Jake’s character, Elwood Dalton, embarrass the “bad guys” with his fighting abilities was thoroughly enjoyable, nay hilarious.
Jake Gyllenhaal clearly cared hugely about this role. He was outstanding as always and I keep thinking how perfectly suited to playing an older more distinguished Peter Parker in a Spider-Man movie he would be.
Halfway through the 2nd Act enters Connor McGregor, and the film switches up a gear with this absolute lunatic in real life playing an exacerbated lunatic on screen.
After the premier finished, Gyllenhaal and the main cast all got on stage for a fabulous Q&A and I adored how Gyllenhaal, when asked about his influences for getting into character, gave all praise to the abilities and memory of the late great Patrick Swayze.
Roadhouse was an electrifying reboot of a classic and with its success, comes a refreshing feeling that a reboot CAN actually be very decent reimagining of its original product.