Red Riding Hood: Blu Ray Review
Red Riding Hood
Rating: M
Released by Warner home Video
Red Riding Hood is the latest adaptation of the fairy tale and sees
Amanda Seyfried's Valerie trapped in a love triangle with Shiloh
Fernandez's woodcutter Peter and Max Irons' Henry - as well as a
murder mystery, when the townsfolk she's living with in a high
mountain range are picked off by the big bad wolf.
As fear continues to grip the snow-capped village, a priest (played
with scene chewing aplomb by Gary Oldman) is called in to try and
save them.
But as the climate of terror grows, the threat to Valerie and those
she loves becomes greater - and soon she realises she's the key to
saving everyone.
From its opening shot of villages in mountains as the camera sweeps
across trees, it's very hard to not think about Twilight - which I
guess to a degree is what you'd expect from the director of the
very first film. Throw in lines like "If you love her, you'll let
her go" and "I lost a sister - I can't lose you" and clearly you're
in teen angst territory in more ways than one. Add into the mix a
pair of boys and a love triangle - plus a wolf which looks like one
of wolf pack from a certain other franchise - and you'd be forgiven
for thinking you're watching a different film.
That said, while the rest of the cast are fairly wooden and
stilted, Amanda Seyfried shines in this. With her big blue eyes
(all the better for seeing you with, right?) and pale complexion,
she stands out from the rest of the townsfolk - but physicalities
aside, she also stands out with her slightly ethereal acting,
bringing an air of mystery to her part as the film goes on. Gary
Oldman is okay too - but he's clearly overacting in some parts
which takes the edge off a little
With some striking visuals and a gothic air here and there, there's
certainly something for genre fans to love - but many will feel
they've seen it all before. Some may even argue they've seen it
done better too.
Extras: A good bunch includes an alternate ending, commentary, gag
reel, additional scenes, music videos - for once, a decent solid
smattering of extra stuff.
Rating: 5/10
