It’s been a long time since the first and original “Footloose” was released in the eighties, starring Kevin Bacon. This version is definitely updated with modern content to boot. And that means a lot of emphasis on sex and language.

Kenny Wormald plays Ren McCormack, a gymnast, one of the main characters. He’s the new kid in town, having moved to Bomont, Georgia, from Boston following his mom’s death from cancer. He immediately learns about his new environment when he is pulled over for playing very loud music while driving. Ren learns that three years before five high school students were killed in a tragic car accident following their departure from a party where there had been teen drinking. Pastor Shaw Moore’s (Dennis Quaid) son was the driver of the car. Pastor Moore has been heavily involved in passing and enforcing laws to keep a repeat accident from happening and this includes allowing no dancing and drinking, etc. in the town. Unfortunately, his daughter Ariel (Julianne Hough) rebels and when she meets Ren, he is the catalyst that challenges the town’s laws and who makes an even bigger rebel out of Ariel.

It’s interesting to note that various scriptures about dancing are used from the Bible, including Ecclesiastes chapter three which refers to there being a time to dance. And of course David danced before the Lord. The context of the dancing is important but the point is made that perhaps not all dancing is sinful.

At any rate, the content is way over the top when it comes to the sex and language arenas, as well as the drug content which includes a few drug comments and a scene involving marijuana. For these reasons, this film will have “to sit this one out” and cannot receive our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal.