The new "Road House" has a throwback charm, channeling the rugged, B-movie energy of the original 1989 classic, at least in its first half. Director Doug Liman, along with screenwriters Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry, set up an engaging world of roadside brawls and gritty fights that are initially fun to watch. Jake Gyllenhaal shines as Elwood Dalton, a fallen MMA fighter with an intimidating presence and a rough edge. But as the story unfolds, the film’s initially light-hearted tone shifts, attempting to be more serious while leaning on predictable plot twists and subpar CGI effects that detract from the grounded feel it desperately needs.
Dalton’s journey begins when he’s hired by Frankie (Jessica Williams), who needs a bouncer for her bar in the Florida Keys, overrun by local biker thugs. Dalton’s intense fighting skills make him the perfect defender, and the early fight scenes are snappy and well-choreographed. But when the story introduces the real villain, real estate tycoon Ben Brandt (Billy Magnussen), the plot starts to lose its punch. Attempts to flesh out Dalton’s character—such as his budding romance with ER doctor Ellie (Daniela Melchior)—fall flat, feeling more like filler than emotional substance.
Conor McGregor’s appearance as Knox, a manic sociopath sent to finish Dalton, adds a dose of chaotic energy to the film, albeit in a highly exaggerated way. McGregor’s over-the-top grin and strut lend a sense of absurdity that’s both entertaining and distracting. His performance dances between cartoonish menace and outright awkwardness, blurring the line between intentional weirdness and a lack of acting experience. The result is a movie that can’t seem to decide whether it wants to be grounded or go full camp, leaving viewers with a disjointed experience.
Overall, "Road House" feels like a tale of two movies clashing in one: Gyllenhaal’s gritty fighter narrative up against a mishmash of exaggerated characters and video game-like CGI. While it occasionally hits the right notes in its fight scenes, the movie struggles to balance its gritty origins with an increasingly chaotic tone. By the end, what could have been a fun modern homage to the original becomes muddled, failing to achieve the visceral impact or balance of the 1989 classic.
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