Red Dawn

The Russians are coming!  No really: Russian, Cuban, and Nicaraguan troops invade the United States in the 1980s (the Soviet Union was apparently fairly desperate because of bad wheat crops), with Russian and Cuban paratroopers being dropped in the middle of the U.S., occupying several states (including Colorado, where the movie is set).  A group of teenagers, arming themselves with whatever they can find, form a guerrilla group known as the "Wolverines" (after their high school mascot) and, with the help of a Colonel from the Air Force (who was rescued by the teens after his F-15 was shot down), attack the occupying forces, avenging family members and friends who were killed.

While by no means a bad movie, Red Dawn isn't particularly good, either.  The acting is decent enough (Patrick Swayze stars, and Charlie Sheen also appears), and the battle sequences are excellent (rumor has it that a mock T-72 tank used in the film was so accurate that the CIA became suspicious), but the basic concept seems rather preposterous.  The best thing about the movie is probably the alternate history discussions it has inspired (including a big thread on one forum where people make up stories about what they did during the time of the movie).  Overall, the film is enjoyable enough (as are many stupid movies), and earns its status as a cult classic (although just barely).

Written by John Milius, the basic plot (Russian paratroopers dropped from transports disguised as civilian airliners) was used again in the game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (which features several shout-outs to this movie).  The video game Homefront (also scripted by Milius) and its companion novel feature a similar plot (North Korea invades the U.S. this time).  Also of note: this was the first film to be released with a PG-13 rating (which was introduced the year this film came out - 1984), although it was not the first movie to actually receive the new rating (that "honor" would go to The Flamingo Kid).  If you like war movies, action flicks, Patrick Swayze, or really, really corny plots, you'll love Red Dawn.

Rating: 70/100