Renting a movie I haven't seen had become something of a tradition for on national holidays. Well, everyone except Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Although some Easters and Thanksgiving have found me with my over filled plate in front of the television eyes glued to what was before me. But that isn't the point for today. I only really mentioned it because as most of you should know Monday was the 4th of July and lead to today's Cheap Girl recommendation; Red Riding Hood.
First off I have to tell you that I am having the darnest time not calling it "Little Red Riding Hood" as that was what I grew up with but I am trying to keep it in perspective and realize that this was suppose to be a Red Riding Hood for the new millennium and in that respect it didn't disappoint.
I have to tell you that although I remember reading the book as a child I don't one hundred percent remember it except of course for the line about the big eyes, ears and teeth. I knew that it was about a girl that lived in a village and that she was off to visit her grandmother while wearing a red hooded coat. I also vaguely remember that she is saved from the wolf by a woodsman. Past that they could have added vampires and I might have thought it was the same story (I only mention vampires because it was directed by the same woman that directed a little known movie named Twilight).
However even with my wary lack of knowledge of the story I have to say that in my opinion I think it held pretty true. There was a girl in a red hooded coat and a woodsman and a wolf. Really what more could you ask for? Moving past that into the heart of the movie I found that I was really confused as to who the wolf could be and when we found out who it was and why I was a little shocked.
Sure the acting isn't the best and if you have seen any of those Twilight movies this wolf looks more like a German Shepard than an actual wolf in comparison but it was entertaining. I really enjoyed Gary Oldman as the priest brought in to help destroy the wolf. There was a darkness to him that made you almost hate him even as you could understand why his character acted as he did.
I am sure that there were more love triangles in this version that my childhood book ever thought of and way more skin almost bared but again this isn't your grandmother's Red Riding Hood.
Overall, if you get the chance I would recommend taking it. It was well worth it and it didn't make me wish I had kept my money in my pocket. It didn't make me want to go out and buy a red coat but then again neither did the book.
