Red Dawn

Red Dawn (1984)

Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Charlie Sheen, Jennifer Grey, and Lea Thompson

The movie centers on a group of high school teens whose hometown is invaded by Mexican and Russian troops. The group of teens manage to escape the invasion and hide out in the mountains. As World War III ensues no American is safe, and the town is now completely occupied by enemy forces. Gun owners are sent to "reeducation camps" or executed, and the citizens are under constant watch. Soon, hiding is not enough and the teens form the Wolverines, a platoon devoted to fighting the invasion.

Each time the Wolverines set a trap, kill an enemy soldier, or blow up a tank they leave their tag with spray paint. It is inspiring to watch everyday kids become heroes as they fight for their country, town, and families that were lost in the invasion. The best line of the movie is when a Spanish soldier asks, "what's a wolverine?" with a thick accent.

The eighties was filled with a prevailing fear that the United States could be attacked and overthrown at anytime. The political issues in 1984 were the Cold War and immigration. The villains in Red Dawn are obviously the Russians and Mexicans, which makes the movie distinctly eighties. However, the theme of Red Dawn is timeless because America is constantly threatened by other countries seeking to undermine our power.

Did you catch the link between the actors in Red Dawn?

C. Thomas Howell and Patrick Swayze in The Outsiders-1983

Charlie Sheen and Jennifer Grey in Ferris Bueller's Day Off-1986

Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in Dirty Dancing-1987