Starring Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, Chris Penn and Sarah Jessica Parker

Directed by Herbert Ross

Produced by Lewis J. Rachmil and Craig Zadan

Written by Dean Pitchford

Available on Paramount Home Entertainment DVD and Video

Running time: 107 mins.

Rated PG

The 1984 film “Footloose” is, in a word, annoying. It’s unpredictable – and not in a good way. And just when it seems as if it’s going to pick up, it ends.

“Footloose” is a true 1980s movie, which can be seen in the style and culture that drives it, much in the same vein of the John Hughes classics “The Breakfast Club” and “Sixteen Candles.” Sadly though, it lacks the substance and realism that Hughes’ films had.

The obvious ’80s influence on “Footloose” is half the fun – many of us aren’t old enough to clearly remember the decade, and pop culture from the time period is a pure guilty pleasure. Not to mention the wonder in seeing a few of today’s big stars in their first roles – including Kevin Bacon’s (badly acted) breakthrough part as rebel Ren MacCormack and “Sex in the City” star Sarah Jessica Parker in a supporting turn as fellow high school student Rusty.

There’s also John Lithgow, coming off his subtly well-acted role in 1983’s ‘Terms of Endearment” and overacting as a strict minister in “Footloose” before “3rd Rock from the Sun” was even a glimmer on the horizon.

The plot is simple in theory, yet the movie itself is laughingly overdone. Ren moves to a small town where he finds a stupid role being wearily enforced – Lithgow’s minister has sternly announced that there will be no dancing or rock music in town, much to the annoyance of the restless teens there.

The film itself tries to focus on several tired teenage issues of the 1980s, and, as a result, seems to lose any sense of realism or rationality. Wanting desperately to be “edgy,” the issues of drug use and physical abuse are addressed, but promptly forgotten, leaving the viewer more than a little confused and annoyed. It becomes less about dancing and more about the various “subplots” scattered throughout the movie.

The no-dancing-in-town rule plot could be, amazingly enough, the saving grace of “Footloose,” but by the end the rule is merely an afterthought in the film.

“Footloose” is badly-written as well. Besides the many revolving, confusing scenes, the movie has the now-cliched premise of “rebel teenager fights back.” In the mid-eighties, teens were only just reaching their prime in the movies, so I can see how this idea would be seen as exciting back then. But today, it just seems unoriginal and painfully dated. The performances also leave much to be desired: the actors perform halfheartedly at best.

As for the DVD itself, it has nothing even remotely special. It has the usual scene selection, and that’s it. It would have been helpful to be able to see a behind-the-scenes feature or an audio commentary that would attempt to explain the motivation and ideas behind the movie, but the filmmakers chose to remain silent.

“Footloose” is a semi-decent film for fans of 1980s culture, for people who find humor and entertainment in the era portrayed in the movie. Those more interested in this decade’s idea of entertainment will see “Footloose” as a major waste of time.