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The 1989 blockbuster \u201cRoad House,\u201d was something of a pastiche. It delivered disreputable B-picture thrills with big-picture production value. The lead actor Patrick Swayze, playing a philosophizing roughneck, smirked with unshakable confidence while breaking arms and jaws, as cars and buildings blew up real good around him. The action was served up with glossy studio polish.<\/p>\n
Hence, a remake of the film, some might argue, is destined to be a pastiche of a pastiche. But as we move further into the 21st century, we find the notion of authenticity ever more devalued. And who needs it when you\u2019ve got Doug Liman directing the whole thing? He is, after all, the J. Robert Oppenheimer of lunatic action set pieces (\u201cThe Bourne Identity,\u201d \u201cMr. & Mrs. Smith,\u201d \u201cEdge of Tomorrow\u201d to name a few).<\/p>\n
Taking on Swayze\u2019s role, Jake Gyllenhaal plays the pro fighter turned bouncer Elwood Dalton, here protecting a juke joint that sits on a valuable piece of real estate in the Florida Keys. At his most winning despite his character\u2019s lethal nature, Gyllenhaal keeps up the one-liners and drollery. In lieu of Swayze\u2019s Zenlike musings, he gives us dry inquiries about whether his challengers have medical insurance before pummeling and delivering them to a hospital.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
This movie delivers a lot of the same kicks as the first, but with contemporary tuneups like a villain played by Conor McGregor, the Ultimate Fighting Championship star who\u2019s first seen stark naked, except for shoes and socks (so he can carry his phone). Though two hours long, the movie moves as swiftly as a greased ferret through a Habitrail and delivers hallucinatory action highs for its extended climax.<\/p>\n
All this and a pretty funny \u201cThe Third Man\u201d reference too.<\/p>\n
Road House<\/strong>
Rated R for violence and language. Running time: 2 hours 1 minute. Watch on Prime Video.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n