Have you guys watched the original ‘Road House’? That wildddd 1989 movie with Patrick Swayze kicking butt as a bouncer? There was something about it– it didn’t take itself seriously, and that’s why it was so fckin nuts. Now, coming back to 2024, they’ve brought it back with Jake Gyllenhaal and Conor McGregor in the lead, and honestly, I have mixed feelings for this one. Directed by Doug Liman, this version is a mix of action, comedy, and some absolutely silly moments. And I get how he wanted to stand out from the original movie, but the ways he chose to do it… idk man. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Definitely wanted more from the movie.
Plot
So we have Elwood Dalton (Jake Gyllenhaal), a forgotten UFC fighter who now scams fighters in the underground circuit for a living. But don’t forget, we’re talking about a guy so intimidating that he scares off opponents even before the fight begins (Post Malone se hi puch lo). Anyway, ye sab chal hi raha hota hai ki ek din, after a canceled fight, and a suicide attempt gone wrong, he’s approached by Frankie (Jessica Williams), who owns a bar called Road House in the Florida Keys. Problem is, her place is getting trashed by local biker thugs, and she needs a bouncer to clean up the mess. Dalton maan toh jaata hai, but, of course, it’s not just about bar fights. There’s a shady real estate leader, Ben Brandt (Billy Magnussen), trying to shut Frankie down. Now Dalton has to take on his goons, including Knox (Conor McGregor), the psychotic bull always high on steroids. Bass phir kya, what follows is fight scenes after fight scenes with some of the most horrible CGI I’ve seen in a while.
Performances
Jake Gyllenhaal as Elwood Dalton is an absolute blast. Everything, from his physical transformation to his ex-UFC fighter waali vibe is on point. One second he’s a pookie, and the next he’s literally Megatron. Although I feel Patrick Swayze waali psychotic vibe bhi rehti toh aur maza aata. Jessica Williams as Frankie brings some real heart to the movie, even though her character has literally no depth. Billy Magnussen as the villain is convincing, but not menacing enough in my opinion. On the other hand, Conor McGregor, making his acting debut as Knox, is wilddd. My man is so over-the-top that it’s hard to tell if he’s genuinely crazy or just having a blast. Easily the most entertaining character in the movie, even if his dialogue delivery is unintentionally funny throughout LMAO.
Direction and Writing
Doug Liman does his best to juggle different tones in the movie. One minute it’s all goofy fun, and the next it tries to be a serious drama. But the question is, was it necessary? It should’ve been completely bizarre all the way imo. Cuz the moment it becomes serious, the movie starts to lose its touch. The script, written by Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry, tries to stand out from the original, but the creative choices are wild. Like, original waale mein Dalton was a nobody before he came to the club. And isme? Dalton is a fckin ex-UFC fighter??? You get my point right, it does get a little too over the top! And it’s the same for the dialogues. Sometimes they are sharp and funny, other times it feels like they’re trying too hard.
Screenplay and Cinematography
The screenplay sets up a great premise but uske baad it’s like the director left it bhagwaan bharose. The beginning is solid with fun, well-choreographed fights and a lot of energy. But as things move along, the plot gets pretty predictable and almost all the twists fall flat. The love story between Dalton and Ellie (Daniela Melchior) feels like it’s there just to tick a box. So poorly executed, isse achha toh mere dimaag mein uske saath scenarios bannte hai bhai. The visuals capture the Florida Keys’ vibe well, but the CGI in the fight scenes? Straight up BAD. It’s like watching a video game with random cut scenes, which screams “None of this is real, but we’re trying our best.” The quick, close-up fights are intense, but the longer action sequences just don’t have enough to keep your attention throughout.
Sau baat ki ek baat, the new “Road House” is fun, but flawed. Jake Gyllenhaal is awesome and there are plenty of laughs, but the movie can’t seem to decide if it wants to be serious or just plain ridiculous. As for the people who wanna watch it for the action adrenaline, the overuse of CGI and some cringy dialogues might spoil your show. It’s worth a watch if you’re in the mood for some mindless fun, but there’s nothing more to it. If I had to choose between this and the original, it would easily be the 1989 one. This one’s a decent one time watch at max.
