Red Dawn The Original vs The New

After watching the original Red Dawn I realize the new release was just a watered down version.  There were some additions to the new release such as the EMP weapon and a change in the enemy but it wasn't enough to make up for all the symbolism and additional drama in the first Red Dawn.

The names on the rock was a theme in the first version that completely lacked in the second version.  Then the choices the Wolverines had to make in the first version were much more dramatic.  Most notably shooting the trader and leaving a member to die.  I will skip describing the difference in ending but if you have seen both, come on the second version by comparison is a total fluff job.  The enemy is also a lot meaner in the original.

The enemies were also more developed in the original in terms of strategy and the emotional connection the developed with the viewer.  There was some good in them and honor as well.  As a viewer I still wanted them to die but I felt a little badly when they did.  The character development was also more thought out in the original and it was done very subtly.  Such as a moment in the movie were the character Robert is etching notches for his kills into his gun.

To me the original is clearly better.  Let me know what you think.