RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Found a Bug? Squash It! Report Bugs Here
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / Upcoming / Footloose
Footloose

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Buy Poster External Icon
Bookmark and Share

Footloose (1984)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
56 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:32

Fresh:18

Rotten:14

Average Rating:5.6/10

Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins

Genre: Dramas

US Box Office: $0

Synopsis: This classic tale of teen rebellion features a delightful combination of dance choreography and realistic, touching performances. When teenager Ren (Kevin Bacon) and his family move from big-city... This classic tale of teen rebellion features a delightful combination of dance choreography and realistic, touching performances. When teenager Ren (Kevin Bacon) and his family move from big-city Chicago to a small midwestern town, he's in for a real case of culture shock. Though he tries hard to fit in, the streetwise Ren can't quite believe he's living in a place where rock music and dancing are illegal. There is one small pleasure, however: Ariel (Lori Singer), a troubled but lovely blonde--who also has a jealous boyfriend. In fact, it is Ariel's dad (John Lithgow), a Bible-thumping minister, who is responsible for keeping the town dance-free. Ren and his classmates want to do away with this ordinance--especially since the senior prom is around the corner--but only Ren has the courage to initiate a battle. Ren's pent-up frustrations cause a confrontation with Rev. Shaw Moore and the local town council as he takes on the small-town establishment struggling to abolish the outmoded ban and revitalize the spirit of the repressed townspeople. Herb Ross's fast-paced drama is filled with such hit songs as the title track and "Let's Hear It for the Boy" and is a classic of 1980s Brat Pack cinema. [More]

Starring: Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest

Starring: Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, Christopher Penn, Sarah Jessica Parker, John Laughlin, Elizabeth Gorcey, Frances Lee McCain

Director: Herbert Ross

Director: Herbert Ross
Screenwriter: Dean Pitchford
Producer: Lewis J. Rachmil, Craig Zadan
Composer: Miles Goodman

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Footloose

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Footloose wasn't exactly a critical fave, but it didn't try to be hip and it had a relatively light touch, with recognizable human beings on the screen.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
02/13/08
Rob Gonsalves
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com

Essential to the result is young Kevin Bacon, superb in the lead part.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
02/12/08
Variety Staff
Variety Staff
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
02/05/08
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Film Threat

The movie features some good dancing -- not nearly enough, however -- and a fine, understated performance by Lithgow in a role that might easily lend itself to caricature.

Full Review Source: TV Guide's Movie Guide | comment 1 Comment
01/30/07
TV Guide's Movie Guide

Herbert Ross directed this odd but reasonably effective blend of rock music and didactic melodrama.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
01/30/07
Dave Kehr
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader

A cynical and manipulative exercise with little feel for the teen culture it purports to celebrate.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out

An 80s milestone, for better or for worse... and a key link to any game of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.

comment Comment
09/02/05
Rob Vaux
Rob Vaux
Flipside Movie Emporium

No review available.

comment Comment
07/08/05
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

A lively and entertaining youth drama about the coming of change in a repressive small town.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
03/31/05
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

No review available.

comment Comment
02/17/05
Todd Jorgenson
Todd Jorgenson
Denton Record Chronicle (TX)

No review available.

comment Comment
12/18/04
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Footloose is a seriously confused movie that tries to do three things, and does all of them badly.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
10/23/04
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
09/23/04
Nell Minow
Nell Minow
Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies

OK teen flick that time has treated kindly.

comment Comment
08/02/04
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

No review available.

comment Comment
05/29/04
Andy Klein
Andy Klein
New Times

Only the most cynical would never admit to tapping their toes to Loggins' title track.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
03/30/04
Channel 4 Film

No review available.

comment Comment
02/27/04
Carol Cling
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

comment Comment
11/19/03
Bob Grimm
Bob Grimm
Las Vegas CityLife

No review available.

comment Comment
10/16/03
Jurgen Fauth
Jurgen Fauth
About.com

I know it's a classic, but I wanted more dancing. Great hair though.

comment Comment
07/14/03
Fred Topel
Fred Topel
About.com
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 >> >|
all

Latest News for Footloose

October 26, 2009: Kenny Ortega Quits Footloose Remake Opens in new window
Citing disagreements over the tone and budget of the film, director Kenny Ortega has left Paramount's upcoming "Footloose" remake. More...

May 20, 2009: Chace Crawford Lands Footloose Lead Opens in new window
Zac Efron's loss is Chace Crawford's gain: Crawford, a member of the "Gossip Girl" cast, has been hired to replace Efron in the upcoming "Footloose" remake. More...

March 23, 2009: Zac Efron Declines Opportunity to Kick Off His Sunday Shoes Opens in new window
After more than a year and a half attached to the project, Zac Efron has pulled out of Paramount's "Footloose" remake. More...

October 28, 2008: Paramount Fast-Tracks Efron's Footloose Opens in new window
After watching "High School Musical 3" take over the box office last weekend, Paramount wasted no time in fast-tracking its Zac Efron-led "Footloose" remake. More...

See All

More Movies

Coming Soon in Australia
Tomatometer Percentage Movie Date

70% 70% Where the Wild Things Are 03/12
83% 83% Paranormal Activity 03/12
89% 89% Zombieland 03/12
76% 76% The Informant! 03/12
— The Strength of Water 03/12

What’s Hot On RT

Shock! Horror?

Shock! Horror?

Lars von Trier talks Antichrist

Zombieland

Zombieland

Director Ruben Fleischer's favourites

New Avatar action

New Avatar action

Watch an exclusive chase clip from the film

Kids' Book Films

Kids' Book Films

We fly through 10 of the best

Other News

  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • First Look (Sort Of) at New Nightmare's Freddy Source: ShockTillYouDrop.com
15
  • First Look at Shrek Forever After Source: USA Today
36
  • Woody Harrelson Will Battle Zombies in 3-D Source: Moviehole
20
  • Natalie Portman Says Kat Denning Is in Thor Source: MTV
34
  • Disney Restructuring Has Broad Implications Source: Los Angeles Times
10
  • Joel Silver Talks Ninja Assassin, Sgt. Rock, Lobo, and More Source: Collider.com
1
  • Weekly Ketchup: Idris Elba cast in Thor, more Spider-Man 4 rumors
118
  • Idris Elba Joins Thor Source: Hollywood Reporter
112
  • Jackass 3D Coming in 2010? Source: Collider.com
32
  • 6 Reasons 'Twilight' Is Doomed Source: The Wrap
64
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: New Moon Shatters Records
176
  • Critics Consensus: New Moon Wanes
130
  • Total Recall: John Travolta's Best Movies
76
  • Total Recall: Star-Crossed Lovers
75
  • Weekly Ketchup: Idris Elba cast in Thor, more Spider-Man 4 rumors
59
  • Critics Consensus: Flee From Ninja Assassin
37
  • Friday Harvest: New Moon, Avatar, and more!
32
  • Five Favorite Films With Zombieland Director Ruben Fleischer
18
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
13
  • Total Recall: Children's Book Adaptations
3
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
13
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
9
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
19
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
6
  • RT on DVD: Wassup, Bruno
3
  • Scott Hicks Talks The Boys Are Back
0
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
15
  • Richard Kelly chats about The Box
2
  • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
20
  • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
8
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • Footloose at Rotten Tomatoes
  • Footloose at IGN

Fresh Links

Featured
Dressing Wonderland
Dressing Wonderland External Link

Tim Burton's costume designer talks to Movieline about her long collaboration with the filmmaker and Johnny Depp.

Wes Anderson on Fox
Wes Anderson on Fox External Link

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

Win Glee DVDs
Win Glee DVDs External Link

We've got 20 copies of the hit TV series' Pilot Episode to giveaway.

Win tickets to Cold Souls
Win tickets to Cold Souls External Link

Double passes up for grabs to the new comedy starring Paul Giamatti.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Twitter
Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Twitter External Link

Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.

Competitions
Win Star Wars prizes
Win Star Wars prizes External Link

Enough Prequel, Original Trilogy and Family Guy DVDs to fill a space cruiser

Win the entire 007 collection
Win the entire 007 collection External Link

Everything from Dr. No to Quantum of Solace could be yours.

Win Fight Club Special Editions and more
Win Fight Club Special Editions and more External Link

We're giving away the 10th Anniversary Blu-ray, plus Braveheart and the Rocky collection

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.