RED RIDING HOOD 2.5***

This movie is interesting and fun in how it takes the classic fairy tale and turns it into a somewhat suspenseful mystery. And instead of a wolf there is a werewolf ( maybe because the Director, Catherine Hardwick, directed the first 2 “Twilight” films). “Red Riding Hood” ( RRH) reminded me of 'The Village' in that they have similar premises. In both, the villages are being terrorized by some sort of being and all the villagers are scared yet in RRH most of the villagers also could be the werewolf… lots of suspects. And it is a better film than “The Village”.

The best thing about this movie is the mystery about who the werewolf is. My guesses kept changing throughout the film because there are so many “red” herrings and, as it turns out, the werewolf isn't who you think it is ! I was surprised by the ending and did no expect the conclusion. That makes for a fun film.

In this version, Red Riding Hood is not a little girl. But, instead, she is a beautiful young woman who is portrayed by a beautiful young actress, Amanda Seyried, with the blond hair and bewitching “doe” eyes. Others in the cast include Julie Christie ( Grandmother), Virginia Madsen ( the Mother) and Gary Oldman (father Soloman who is summoned to be the werewolf slayer)

The problem with RRH is that it tries to be too many things but in the process tip toes around too much so as not to offend the targeted audiences. The suspense is muted and lacking of danger, anguish or horror because they are fearful of being too violent for the teen audience. The romance does not deliver very well because they don’t want to drive away the horror fans. The result is that the film misses the mark in both respects.

Clark