Why Catherine Hardwicke what big ambitions you have…
The 2011 version of Red Riding Hood has a lot going on (love triangles, betrayal, revenge, murder and the list goes on) yet, this seemingly overwhelming plot is simple to follow and will have you in a trance throughout.
The film is set in the medieval village of Dagerhorn where we find Valerie (Amanda Seyfriend aka Red), a love struck young girl who is being fought over like a golden trophy by her wood chopping love Peter (Shiloh Fernandez) and the well-off Henry (Max Irons). Â Surrounding this love triangle is the unraveling of long kept secrets and the hunt for a treacherous wolf that has long terrorized Dagerhorn.
The story begins as a wolf hunter, Father Solomon (Gary Oldman), gets summoned to rid the village of the murderous wolf. The character Solomon goes a bit overboard in the plot by using torturous devices and even going so far as to attempt a human sacrifice to unearth and destroy the beast living amongst the villagers.
I must admit that I was a little apprehensive about going to see a film based upon a tale for children. Then when the movie began I was a bit concerned it would be another version of Twilight with the mere substitution of a werewolf for a vampire. However, Red Riding Hood wasn’t as much of a disappointment as expected. Sure Valerie’s lover resembles Edward Cullen in Twilight, and yes, the feel of the movie is reminiscent of the Twilight series, but the execution of the whirlwind plot sets this movie apart. Unlike the humdrum doom-and-gloom of the series, Red Riding Hood offers a more whimsical approach to a mystery-thriller.
The film starts slow, but redeems itself when the wolf hunter gets introduced. Without this character’s dramatics (and borderline insanity), Red Riding Hood would not have been as interesting for which it turned out.
.
More than just a 100-minute wolf hunt Red Riding Hood is filled with every human emotion and imperfection. Love, lust, revenge, secrets, lies and much more are projected throughout this film. If you are looking to see a movie that does a good job of characterizing human emotions and behavior, yet will also leave you guessing, then this is the movie to see.
By the way, if you are a horror enthusiast looking to see a movie that gets you so scared you sleep with all the lights on in the house afterwards, this is not your film. My suggestion is don’t be fooled by the advertising and save your money. This film is for mystery solving folks.