David and I went to see Red Riding Hood this past weekend. Amber was spending the night at a friend’s house, so it was the perfect opportunity for dinner and a movie. I warned David before we went that I wasn’t making any promises, that it might be lousy, but I really wanted to see it. I know the critics didn’t like it, but I have to say that we both enjoyed it. It wasn’t outstanding, but it was fun, entertaining.

The story strays from the original tale, pretty far actually; it has to to make it to a full-length movie. Red Riding Hood’s name is Valerie, and she lives in the medieval town of  Daggerhorn, a town that lives in an uneasy truce with a werewolf. They leave out the best of their livestock every full moon and the wolf doesn’t kill anyone, until one day. A girl, Valerie’s sister, is found dead, killed by the wolf, and events spiral out of control. Everyone becomes a suspect; anyone could be the wolf. Panic grips the town as the death toll rises, tearing apart the once close-knit village. But it is Valerie who discovers she has a unique connection to the wolf making her both suspect and bait.

While the movie is more of a whodunnit/teen romance and not as eerie as it could have been, it did keep some of the elements of Grimms’ story. In addition to the red cape, there is the woodcutter, grandma’s house and a few of the famous lines. It wasn’t as gruesome as it could have been, though, given the source material.And looks-wise, I thought it was a beautifully shot, the scenery and setting striking.

I’m not going to say it was a must-see, but I was pleased we went. It was nice date night movie.

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