The scenario depicted in Red Dawn didn't happen as we all know. The Cold War ended with a fadeout instead of a bang, the USA did not get invaded. At first glance Red Dawn seems like a quaint and ancient propaganda piece, but it still raises some interesting issues.
Note how the invasion of America happened. Lots and lots of illegal aliens crossed our borders and infiltrated from within. Back in the day Red Dawn was National Rifle Association recruiting material, today however it's the film that the strict immigration people must love the most.
Several members of the Eighties Brat Pack gave stand out performances in Red Dawn like Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Jennifer Grey, Lea Thompson and Charlie Sheen. Considering what he's peddling now, I wonder if Charlie Sheen likes to be reminded of his participation in Red Dawn. Swayze and Howell are brothers who when the paratroop invasion happens at their high school, they zoom on out of there, take supplies, weapons and ammunition and lead a guerrilla movement in their little corner of Colorado.
It's fascinating that the northeast of the United States didn't get invaded and that was the Free Zone. You wonder if the young people in blue state America would fight as these kids do. Kids like Howell and Swayze today are what make up our Armed Forces, they are a precious commodity indeed, blood not to be spent extravagantly or unwisely.
Red Dawn is dated in some ways, relevant in others. It's super-patriotic, jingoistic, never explains really but for a brief voice over prologue why all these people don't like us. But at the same time it invokes a fighting spirit in America that I hope never dies, because we will die.
It's nice to discuss geopolitics, look for economic solutions to age old problems, try to make people respect each other's differences. When the bombs are dropped though, discussion and reason are over.
Note how the invasion of America happened. Lots and lots of illegal aliens crossed our borders and infiltrated from within. Back in the day Red Dawn was National Rifle Association recruiting material, today however it's the film that the strict immigration people must love the most.
Several members of the Eighties Brat Pack gave stand out performances in Red Dawn like Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Jennifer Grey, Lea Thompson and Charlie Sheen. Considering what he's peddling now, I wonder if Charlie Sheen likes to be reminded of his participation in Red Dawn. Swayze and Howell are brothers who when the paratroop invasion happens at their high school, they zoom on out of there, take supplies, weapons and ammunition and lead a guerrilla movement in their little corner of Colorado.
It's fascinating that the northeast of the United States didn't get invaded and that was the Free Zone. You wonder if the young people in blue state America would fight as these kids do. Kids like Howell and Swayze today are what make up our Armed Forces, they are a precious commodity indeed, blood not to be spent extravagantly or unwisely.
Red Dawn is dated in some ways, relevant in others. It's super-patriotic, jingoistic, never explains really but for a brief voice over prologue why all these people don't like us. But at the same time it invokes a fighting spirit in America that I hope never dies, because we will die.
It's nice to discuss geopolitics, look for economic solutions to age old problems, try to make people respect each other's differences. When the bombs are dropped though, discussion and reason are over.