The Red menace and Russkies and good old wholesome American boys.How the Russians and Cubans got to the center of America with no resistance and barricaded the strategic little town but kids could leave and enter is part of the magic!

This movie is the best. The best. Americans look foolish. Russia extremely strong and powerful in it's denial. Stick around after the credits for the hotel pee pee scene.

Political paranoia time. This obviously very memorable 80s product of the Cold War puts forth a chilling "what if" scenario. In this case, the Cold War has a different outcome, and legions of Russians, Nicaraguans, and Cubans aggressively invade the U.S. of A. However, a small band of high school students in Colorado are able to head for the hills. While they are in seclusion, they begin to use whatever supplies and weapons they've acquired, and rise up righteous to kick tons of evil Commie ass.If you can lay aside your personal political beliefs, this does function as an interesting, sometimes believable action thriller that forces people to answer a serious question. If your own country were invaded like this, would YOU be able to rise to the challenge? It's because the premise touches people in that way that makes it a compelling enough entertainment. Obviously, the war and violence here are not glorified, but are treated as something unavoidable. Our band of heroes do have quite a bit of success, but they're also not infallible, and aren't experienced soldiers despite whatever training they might have had.Many of the bad guys are pretty one dimensional, but not all of them. One of the most intriguing characters is a Cuban colonel (Ron "Superfly" O'Neal) who has his doubts about the whole conflict, and who yearns to be back home with his beloved.Action scenes and stunts are well executed by Terry Leonard, and the movie does manage to have some fairly punchy gore despite a PG-13 rating. At its best, "Red Dawn" is vivid, disconcerting, and rousing, perfectly punctuated by Basil Poledouris' soaring score.The kids are played by Patrick Swayze, Charlie Sheen, Lea Thompson, C. Thomas Howell, Jennifer Grey, and others, and they do alright, but the older generation is particularly strong: Ben Johnson, Lane Smith, Harry Dean Stanton, Frank McRae, Roy Jenson, etc. "Red Dawn" does hit its stride upon the introduction of the Powers Boothe character, and then the top dog villain played by the eternally bad ass William Smith (who speaks fluent Russian)."Red Dawn" is the kind of film that can engender purely personal responses. Still, it's undeniable that it truly does hit a nerve. It would make a fine double feature with "Invasion U.S.A.", a Chuck Norris vehicle from the following year.Directed by John Milius, who also receives screenplay credit with Kevin Reynolds.Seven out of 10.

Red Dawn (1984) is one of the best movies ever made. The movie is about a group of friends that love their homes, country, and families, and is deeply meaningful. Its also about kids maturing to adults during an ultimate 'what if' scenario.Some of my favorite scenes include:Jed writing the names of his loved ones on pride rock, including his own and Matti's, so they can be remembered after they die. The group's debate and turmoil over Daryl's betrayal. The cold hatred of Robert to shoot a life long friend. Daryl stumbling to pull down Robert's mask in a gesture of 'who have you become,' and Robert jumps on his horse and rides away. The next scene when Jed is crying in the forest. This is especially meaningful because earlier in the movie Jed's Dad asks him to never cry again, and Jed later instills the message to his friends when their families are killed, "never cry as long as you live".. but after Darryl dies, Jed sneaks off to the woods to cry alone. Robert sawing off the barrel of his shot gun.. Dani says, "they were people", and Robert, "yeah well so was my Dad." Tony asking Jed to kill her so that the Russian's won't torture her, and Jed can't bring himself to do it. Instead he kisses Tony goodbye on the forehead as she passes away. Aardvark defiant "Wolverines!" and later Aardvark running into the Cuban tent, speaking in Spanish to the soldiers, "follow me quickly" into the Wolverine's trap. Matti reminiscing through old pictures saying to Jed, "Its hard being brothers"Robert to Erika, "If you didn't love any body you'd never even be here" The soundtrack and the drums.The overall themes of this movie include being self sufficient, tough, and defiant in keeping with one's principles. Examples of this include the citizens singing America the Beautiful right before being executed.. Jed yelling to the political prisoners "We're all going to die, die standing up." Darryl being an Eagle scout.. Jed and Matti hunting and camping.. Robert's dad owning a supply store.. The rancher guy owning horses..The movie also does a good job portraying the psychologies of many characters on both sides affected by a prolonged conflict (i.e. Robert, Erika, Colonel Bella) .Lastly to comment on reviews about how this movie is unrealistic because Russia could have never invaded US during the 1980's or that kids can't fight Spetsnaz. (Because Fast and the Furious, Ironman, and most every movie made could receive stronger criticisms than Red Dawn about being unrealistic)... I would point out that French freedom fighters, with little experience, fought the Nazis in WW2, and both Iraqi and Afghan insurgents have effectively fought the best trained US forces for years. I would also point out that the Wolverines were initially fighting occupation forces behind the front lines which are typically not trained well. In the first fight scene the Wolverine's ambush three sight seers, and in the second fight scene Tony plants a bomb in a cafe, not too unrealistic. As the Wolverines gain experience over months, including from Colonel Tanner, they become better fighters.