This riveting teen drama is much more than the many Brat Pack films of the time, focusing on heavier themes and international politics rather than the politics of high school. The story begins when Soviet forces land in the football field of a small Colorado town.
When the troops round up the citizens of the town and imprison them in a camp, a small band of high schoolers escape to the surrounding hills with some supplies and weapons. Patrick Swayze stars as Jed Eckert, a high schooler who with his brother, played by Charlie Sheen, and their friends, plan to return to the town and wage guerrilla warfare on the Soviets in order to free their family and friends. Along the way romances and strong bonds of patriotic brotherhood are formed through the collective fight.
Although the plot could be taken as simply unrelated fiction, the strong ties that paralleled the sentiment and fears of America at the time keep the film connected to actual history. Due to the conflicts faced by the protagonists being relatable to the public who feared the outbreak of World War III, Red Dawn presented a terrifying possible reality that intrigued the citizens of the country.
Despite the film success and bold darker tone, some criticized the film as propaganda. While there are certainly pro-American themes present in the movie, Red Dawn is an engaging and thought provoking teen drama that is an invaluable glimpse at the American mindset.