Wisconsin Film Festival
An 11-year-old named Red (Hannah Obst) encounters danger when she travels to Cumberland Island to see its wild horses.
There are plenty of predators in the world. Some are scary for their sharp teeth and long, gnarly claws; others just have a creepy nature about them. In Little Red -- Milwaukee director Tate Bunker's retelling of the fairytale "Little Red Riding Hood" -- the Big Bad Wolf arrives in the form of lecherous Lou (Mark Metcalf of Animal House fame), who stalks 11-year-old Red (Hannah Obst) as she pursues her dream of seeing the wild horses on Georgia's Cumberland Island. The Wisconsin Film Festival screened the film on Friday night at the Chazen Museum of Art.
With a hair-raising performance by Metcalf, Little Red will keep your muscles tightened for most of its 80-minute reel. It's also got some cool, tranquil and humorous moments that make for a good time.
Serene cinematography, fruitful colors and enjoyable supporting characters lift the film from total uneasiness and add a freewheeling vibe. There's not much of a climax, which takes away from the final act, but the ending has enough weight to make the film feel complete.