Red Dawn

MGM/UA Entertainment Company | Release Date: August 10, 1984

5.6	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 29 Ratings

USER RATING DISTRIBUTION

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Review this movie

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Please sign in or create an account before writing a review.

Check box if your review contains spoilers

0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User score By date Most helpful

Popcorn55Dec 25, 2018

This classic (the original 1984 film) is a FAR better film than it gets credit for. Original, gripping, somewhat chilling storyline, well executed. "What if?" ... and if accept the premise, we are drawn into a very entertaining heroic taleThis classic (the original 1984 film) is a FAR better film than it gets credit for. Original, gripping, somewhat chilling storyline, well executed. "What if?" ... and if accept the premise, we are drawn into a very entertaining heroic tale that isn't so utterly far-fetched, and includes some striking and vivid combat scenes that go far beyond our low-budget expectations. Like the scene where the helicopter shoots up the enemy roadblock... that was money for sure, and it's almost just a background cameo. Makes it feel unexpectedly real and immersive. We really feel, "yeah, this is kind of how it would be, if the US homeland were actually invaded". Hence, we identify with the high-school kids turned patriot soldiers in a shattered world where they don't even have any news of what is happening, at least until the downed pilot shows up.

We need more homeland survival dramas in this genre. It's a fascinating theme, and plenty of room for more "What if...?" stories about what ordinary folks in America would have to do when the country is falling apart.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

All this user's reviews

Voodoo123Sep 6, 2022

The great cast and premise are squandered by the limited battle choreography and screenplay that fail to build any kind of tension instead presenting poorly paced dramatic scenes between the teenagers which then cut alway to scenes ofThe great cast and premise are squandered by the limited battle choreography and screenplay that fail to build any kind of tension instead presenting poorly paced dramatic scenes between the teenagers which then cut alway to scenes of incomprehensible action montages. Still it is clearly made from the heart and I found it quite compelling.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews

benskylerhillApr 23, 2018

Red Dawn is one of my favorite movies of all time, but it's certainly not because it's a great movie. Rather, it's a guilty pleasure that's loud and unintelligent but sure is a lot of fun.

The acting and script are probably the best thingRed Dawn is one of my favorite movies of all time, but it's certainly not because it's a great movie. Rather, it's a guilty pleasure that's loud and unintelligent but sure is a lot of fun.

The acting and script are probably the best thing about this movie. They're over-the-top and taken a bit too seriously, but they still give audiences a reason to be emotionally invested in these teenage protagonists and the bleak, harrowing situation they've found themselves in.

The story is not entirely unbelievable when it comes to its basic premise. The title cards at the start of the film set up an alternate history that sets up a plausible setting for a World War III on American soil. But once it gets into the gunfights with a small group of teenagers defeating groups of a well-supplied army, all reality is to be suspended indefinitely. But the overall quality of the film certainly doesn't detract from its entertainment value. Red Dawn is not to be viewed as a good film, but as an escape into a fun, unbelievable story of conquering against all odds.

Story: 6
Acting: 5
Script: 6
Visuals/Sound: 4.5
Entertainment Value: 8

MY RATING: 5.9/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

All this user's reviews