Reboot Fatigue be Damned! Roadhouse — 2024 is a Raucous Good Time. (Critique + Focus on Previous Doug Liman Films)
Written & Edited by: Lee Fenton
Road House (2024)
I was hesitant going in.
Hell, I think we all were.
But thankfully, the pairing of Jake Gyllenhaal and Connor McGregor managed to work, and gave us a smashing update to the 80s classic that we all know and love, ‘Road House’ (1989).
Yet, there will be detractors –- those who prefer Swayze’s take on the beat-em-up action flick — which enthralled audiences with its unabashed update of a revisionist western. Interestingly, the original ‘Road House’ was a retelling of ‘Shane’, a 1957 western – that starred a laconic hero who rolled into town and went head-to-head with the local riff-raff. I’ve never viewed this motion picture that provided inspiration for the original, and myself, I’m not even a diehard fan of Road House (1989), although that isn’t to say I don’t enjoy the film, I just happen to think this new version rocks a bit harder!
Road House (2024) takes the premise – tweaks it slightly – and then runs with it, benefiting greatly from the director instituting a healthy serving of self-aware “camp” and the right amount of classic action-movie tropes. The screenplay was written by Anthony Bagarozzi and Chuck Mondry; Road House is the type of film that tells you “it’s okay to shut your brain off for a couple hours and just have fun” — it encourages hollering at the explosive set-pieces and laughing due to cheesy one-liners.
I feel like this is the first “event movie” that Amazon Prime has released. The fight sequences are out of this world, CGI is used extraordinarily; managing to emphasize every hit and physical interaction, intensifying the whole affair and creating a super polished action flick, in the process.
Man, hats off to the filmmaker.
Doug Liman.
If that name doesn’t ring any bells for you, then perhaps, I should mention a few of the projects that he’s renowned for:
Swingers (1996)
The picture that began Vince Vaughn’s career – love or hate him – I’m in the first category by the way, he’s easily one of my favourite early 2000s “funnymen”.
‘Swingers’ stars Vince Vaughn alongside Jon Favreau (who’s famous for such movies as: Ironman I & II (director/actor), Chef (director/lead), Couples Retreat, Elf) playing two best friends Nikki & Trent. Both are out of work actors navigating love, life, and whatever else ‘the City of Los Angeles’ throws their way. The movie takes place during the 1990s, focusing on the re-emergence of swing music.
Although I haven’t seen this film myself, it received a great reception by critics and fans alike – launching Favreau, Vaughn, Ron Livingston, and Heather Graham’s acting careers. Also Doug Liman. He did very well.
I am actually a huge fan of swing music (due mostly to it gaining popularity in the 90s from bands like ‘The Brian Setzer Orchestra’).
So, ‘Swingers’ is next on my watchlist.
Go (1999)
Go is a brilliantly made film that manages to achieve a Tarantino-esque weaving of the narrative, a narrative that combines multiple POV from different characters, the unfolding story is one that involves a road-trip to Las Vegas, undercover cops, three friends absconding with a drug dealer’s product, a hit-and-run, even a gun-fight in a stripclub.
The cinematography is the essential independent film; adding surreal elements just for the heck of it, and utilizing low volume locations for most of the scenes. ‘Go’ still manages some impressive shot-on-location credits – New Frontier Hotel & Casino - 3120 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, and various locations around Hollywood and greater LA. The film manages to make the best of its meek budget of twenty million.
The movie packs a punch! also, an awful lot of emotionality.
The Bourne Identity (2002)
This movie is responsible for changing the entire landscape of fight choreography, more so than any other film, (save for ‘The Matrix’, and perhaps ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’) in the last fifty years of cinema. I feel confident saying this, since almost every action blockbuster since has emulated the fight styles present in the Bourne series. The violence in ‘The Bourne Identity’ is commonly achieved through the use of everyday objects, as well as guns, knives, and explosives. A spy-thriller that finally did away with the gimmicky gadgets and high-tech weaponry; illustrating that real life espionage can be as simple as understanding the utility of a book during a knife fight.
Hint: use it as a shield.
All kidding aside, the amount of ingenuity that the Jason Bourne series implements is jaw-dropping, the way that the actors brawl in the film – is in reality a highly skilled reenactment of actual violence. It’s almost impossible to tell the two apart; if you prefer visceral and gritty combat… Well, that’s what the Bourne franchise is full of.
‘The Bourne Identity’ also played a huge role in changing the way action flicks are shot in Hollywood. Prior to Jason Bourne exploding onto the screen with spin kicks and jujitsu – shaky cam and quick cuts were seldom used in conjunction with fight scenes. And when they were, it was not always successful. Similar to the way that ‘The Matrix’ and ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ helped to revolutionize line-work (as well as martial arts) in film, ‘The Bourne Identity’ managed to cement how modern films should (and would) shoot fight scenes.
The only downside is that for years after there were many imitators but only the best managed to hold a flame to Doug Liman’s original film. ‘The Bourne Identity’ turned Matt Damon into the massive success he is today, and also managed to spawn a franchise of successful five feature length films.
“The Bourne series has received generally positive critical reception and grossed over US$1.6 billion.” [1]
-Wikipedia
An afterword,
on the cast of Road House
Jake Gyllenhaal
Well, we’ve certainly never seen Jake Gyllenhaal like this before.
Sure, the man is versatile – he’s done action before – but not like this. ‘Road House’ required Jake to get into MMA, transform himself into some type of monster, and still manage to act alongside a dude like Conor McGregor, without getting so lost in the K-Fabe that somebody got hurt.
This might be the meanest we will ever see Gyllenhaal. Sure he’s played moody psychopaths before but those roles are dark and menacing, whereas Elwood Dalton is a man who suppresses vast amounts of rage. He’s ready to explode at a moment’s notice, yet keeps a cool exterior. His demeanor is one of smug arrogance mixed with dangerous altruism.
When he starts the film he’s the classic antihero of the revisionist western; strolling into town looking to make a quick buck – with little else on his mind. He acts aloof and hopes to avoid taking on anything besides the bare minimum. Gyllenhaal under-acts this perfectly, which proves to be quite the contrast to the verbose characters he normally plays. I’m so used to hearing this man's monologue in movies like ‘NIghtcrawler’ and ‘Donnie Darko’ it was intensely striking to witness him do the “Clint Eastwood thing” and just be. Rather refreshing, honestly.
Playing against type is a powerful tool in the repertoire of an actor…
Thankfully, Jake Gyllenhaal doesn’t need to be told that.
.
Conor McGregor
His first time in a major acting role, Conor McGregor was superb as “Knox” – the iconic scenery-chewing villain. He was superlative in his theatricality, reminding me of ‘Nicolas Cage’ in his more unrestrained roles. I feel McGregor was also drawing upon great character actors of the past, the likes of Geoffrey Rush or Jeremy Irons.
From the way he snarled his lines and strutted around on-screen, it was crystal clear this man came to up the stakes and create havoc. IE: memorable villain.
Want the straight truth?
Conor McGregor steals nearly every scene he’s in.
Jessica Williams
I had never seen a film with Williams in it before this one, and I am very pleased to say that her acting is a breath of fresh air, in an industry that sorely needs it. A lot of newcomers in Hollywood seem to fade out before they make it to superstar status – my hope for the ones like Jessica Williams, that is to say the ones that can carry the emotional side of an action film, acting opposite the likes of Hollywood royalty Jake Gyllenhaal, is that they are offered their own property to lead, before they fade into obscurity.
The character she plays is essential to the overall plot structure, since she’s the one who owns the eponymous “Road House” bar that is in need of rescuing. Without her character giving a convincing performance the film would have fallen flat, straight out the gate.
So, good job Mz. Williams – you didn’t ruin the movie!
In fact, you made it a heck of a lot better.
Thanks.
Billy Magnussen
What an enjoyable but tropey antagonist! I do feel Magnussen might’ve stepped it up a bit too much in the over-acting department – understandably, he wanted to compare to McGregor’s energy, but in the end it doesn’t detract from the overall product much. He provides a nice counterbalance to the muted acting that Gyllenhaal is providing.
Billy Magnussen plays the son of a gangster that is left in-charge of his father’s criminal empire, while his Pah is busy rotting in the clink or prison, for you uninitiated types.
Daniella Melchior
Ellie, the love interest.
Daniella Melchior is a more than suitable actress for this role. Her character provides Gyllenhaal’s protagonist some sentimental attachment to the community and some much needed romance. Her portrayal isn’t too heavy-handed and although the chemistry between her and Gyllenhaal seems a little lacking – it really didn’t detract from the film, all things considered. Similar to a Micheal Bay approach, you have two incredibly good-looking people on-screen “going at it” – even if it’s all a bit superficial, it’s still rather enticing.
Melchior hits her mark, delivers her lines, and although there weren’t really many standout moments, I do remember a few of her quips getting a laugh out of me. Most importantly, in the third act, when her life is in danger – I was emotionally invested enough to want Elwood (Gyllenhaal) to save her. I would say that’s an action-movie, love interest’s major responsibility.
Mission accomplished.
RATING 8/10
A conche-chowder and a rum-runner to go with the Florida Keys.
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