Red Riding Hood
(May contain spoilers)
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Writer: David Johnson
Stars/Characters: Amanda Seyfried/Valerie, Gary Oldman/Solomon, Billy Burke/Cesaire, Shiloh Fernandez/Peter, Max Irons/Henry, Lucas Haas/Father Auguste
Cinema Release: 15th April 2011
Date Watched (DVD): 4th April 2012
Rating Given: ***
I haven't actually read the book but with it being another remake of a fairytale classic I knew I just had to watch it and I am pleased I did as I did like it, however, it's not my favourite re-telling so I don't think I will try to read the book.
You can kind of tell that this has been directed by the same director as Twilight as it just has that dark feel about it with not many bright colours used. The red is the only bright colour which is probably used to match the title and also give it a sense of danger.
I loved that at the beginning it seemed to drop a few other fairytale names into it and reminded me of Grimm (TV show) which is a good thing as that is what Red Riding Hood is a Grimm fairytale.
I loved that I never actually knew who the wolf was as this kept me guessing all the way through the film it was like we was Valerie and trying to figure out who the bad guy was as we got the same clues as what she did. I don't think I could guess who it was and I was surprised when we found out as I wasn't expecting that person. Even when I watched it a second time I kept thinking it can't be them.
With me not knowing who the bad guy was you would think I didn't like any of the characters but I did especially Peter and Henry. The acting was actually done well which I am pleased about as I was then able to get lost into the film.
I do wish the ending was padded out a bit more as I don't get the feeling of it actually ending more like it was just the beginning. It also just felt like there was something missing throughout the film which was the reason why I could only give it a 3 star rating when I would have loved to have given it more.
