Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!harvard!wjh12!genrad!decvax!cca!ima!haddock!jimc From: jimc@haddock.UUCP Newsgroups: net.movies Subject: Red Dawn (slight spoiler) Message-ID: <229@haddock.UUCP> Date: Sun, 19-Aug-84 23:39:18 EDT Article-I.D.: haddock.229 Posted: Sun Aug 19 23:39:18 1984 Date-Received: Wed, 22-Aug-84 03:08:12 EDT Lines: 44 Nf-ID: #N:haddock:13900001:000:2154 Nf-From: haddock!jimc Aug 18 22:16:00 1984 Red Dawn: I am not going to take the time to write a description of this movie -- preceding authors have all done a good job with that already. Instead, I am going to indulge myself by expounding my opinions on this movie from the beginning. First of all, the movie is not bad. It's well paced, and solid in theme, and it certainly maintained my interest and the interest of the audience who saw this with me in Boston. Unfortunately, its consistency in theme and action is about all it has going for it. It is not really explained just how such a large scale invasion of the American Midwest could have taken place. At one point, a downed American jet pilot explains to our heroes and heroines what happened -- something to the effect of an airlift of troops from the Communist southern hemisphere in planes which are disguised as commercial airliners. Come on, gang; wouldn't any radar operator get just a little suspicious of a fleet of commercial jets large enough to carry an invasion force? Also, it is said that the Soviets invaded through the Bering Strait and down through Canada to aid their Latin comrades. Sorry, but I can't believe a Soviet army advancing down through North America to hit the mainland U.S. would have been allowed as far as Kansas. This illogical premise aside, then explain to me this: how is it that a military force brilliant enough to secure all the territory between the Grand Canyon and the Mississippi can't defend itself against a band of children? Egad, they even let them roam around their hometown without a single guard giving them trouble. Also in this movie, we have a limited nuclear war, the only casualties being Kansas City (sounds familiar, TV fans?), Omaha, and a couple of others. The rest is fought by conventionals. To believe that is to accept a tactical standpoint that might be the most dangerous of all military ideals in the world today. It is unfortunate that so much energy and even intelligence could be wasted on such an obvious propaganda ploy. Oh, well. Reaganites will love it. --- Jim Campbell, INTERACTIVE Systems Corporation Boston Technical Office