IF IT ain’t broke, don’t fix it is the mantra of director Craig Brewer, who updates the storyline of this toe- tapping remake to present- day Georgia, but retains the characters and plot of the 1984 classic, which immortalised Kevin Bacon as a teen rebel who unites the emotionally scarred youth of his hometown with the power of boogie.

Opening to the infectious twangs and beat of the Kenny Loggins title track, Footloose doesn’t put a heel or toe out of place in the energetic dance sequences to funky new versions of Deniece Williams, Shalamar and Bonnie Tyler.

The good-looking cast kick up their heels with gusto, and choreographer Jamal Sims melds line dancing with hip-hop and street.

Lead stars Kenny Wormald and Julianne Hough are impressive in their solos and catalyse smouldering screen chemistry.

Miles Teller provides excellent comic relief as the best friend with two left feet, and Dennis Quaid delivers another robust and rather moving supporting performance as the preacher whose grief divides a community.

Ren McCormack (Wormald) arrives in the God-fearing town of Bomont three months after the deaths of five high school students on their way home from a dance.

As a knee-jerk reaction, local minister Rev Shaw Moore (Quaid), whose son perished in the wreck, persuades the council to pass new laws imposing a 10pm curfew on minors and banning dancing within town limits. Ren flouts these edicts attracting the attention of the cops and the school’s headmaster.