The cinematic equivalent of America's Got Talent... Sadly, though, there is no Simon Cowell - and more importantly, no red buzzer.
Fame (2009)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:101
Fresh:28
Rotten:73
Average Rating:4.5/10
Consensus: Fame is ultimately undone by its choppy editing, its incomplete characterizations, and its apparent desire to appeal to the High School Musical generation.
Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for thematic material including teen drinking, a sexual situation and language.
Genre: Musical & Performing Arts
Theatrical Release:25-09-2009
Synopsis:
A reinvention of the original Oscar®-winning hit film, Fame follows a talented group of dancers, singers, actors, and artists over four years at the New York City High School of Performing Arts, a...
A reinvention of the original Oscar®-winning hit film, Fame follows a talented group of dancers, singers, actors, and artists over four years at the New York City High School of Performing Arts, a diverse, creative powerhouse where students from all walks of life are given a chance to live out their dreams and achieve real and lasting fame...the kind that comes only from talent, dedication, and hard work.
In an incredibly competitive atmosphere, plagued by self-doubt, each student’s passion will be put to the test. In addition to their artistic goals, they have to deal with everything else that goes along with high school, a tumultuous time full of schoolwork, deep friendships, budding romance, and self-discovery.
As each student strives for his or her moment in the spotlight, they’ll discover who among them has the innate talent and necessary discipline to succeed. With the love and support of their friends and fellow artists, they’ll find out who amongst them will achieve Fame …
The cast includes Asher Book as Marco, Kristy Flores as Rosie, Paul Iacono as Neil, Paul McGill as Kevin, Naturi Naughton as Denise, Kay Panabaker as Jenny, Kherington Payne as Alice, Collins Pennie as Malik, Walter Perez as Victor, and Anna Maria Perez de Tagle as Joy. Their instructors include Debbie Allen as Principal Simms, Charles S. Dutton as Alvin Dowd, Kelsey Grammer as Joel Cranston, Megan Mullally as Fran Rowan, and Bebe Neuwirth as Lynn Kraft. --© MGM
Starring: Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally, Kay Panabaker, Bebe Neuwirth
Starring: Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally, Kay Panabaker, Bebe Neuwirth, Naturi Naughton
Director: Kevin Tancharoen
Director: Kevin Tancharoen
Screenwriter: Aline Brosh McKenna, Allison Burnett
Studio: MGM
Reviews for Fame
The awful truth about no one from the Fame movie or TV show going on to become famous may not yet have dawned on the cast of this new and bizarrely pointless remake.
The world has hardly been breathlessly awaiting a new version of Fame and an older generation will probably find it uncomfortably corny with showbusiness schmaltz smoothing away the rougher edges of the more adult original.
Virtually everything about Allison Burnett's screenplay is blander, dumber and less daring than the original.
But its well-intentioned message and some likeable characters mean the teenage target audience should find plenty to enjoy.
This film makes even the most gaudy of Saturday night TV talent contests look like Dostoyevsky in comparison.
Tancharoen’s background shows and steps in to save the film: highlights include an infectious rap in the canteen, a Hallowe’en “Carnevil,” and a show-stopper in a club, courtesy of Naughton.
Unconnected shreds of plot suggest severe editing at some stage and neither characters nor musical routines add up to much.
The film does deliver a commendable message about the importance of talent and hard work as opposed to instant, Pop Idol-style celebrity.
Fame 2009 has turns rather than scenes, and its interchangeable students don't have names to remember so much as tags: "angry", "nervy", "blonde". Most can sing or dance, though the relentless exhibitionism grows tiring.
Fans of the original won't care if this lives forever, but when the kids' High School Musical DVDs finally become too scratched to play, this should be waiting in the wings.
This may not please MTV fans but will appeal to primetime TV family audiences who've grown to expect the slickness of The X Factor's production values. Loads of talent and plenty of pretty faces. What's not to like?
The new Fame is a sad reflection of the new Hollywood, where material is sanitized and dumbed down for a hypothetical teen market that is way too sophisticated for it. It plays like a dinner theater version of the original.
As a group this cast probably wouldn't even make it past Hollywood week on "American Idol".
The movie is salvaged by a few well-choreographed dance numbers and some signature songs. The movie is geared to fans of MTV videos with short attention spans.
A terrific score coupled with exciting choreography, tight editing and a talented cast make Fame a joyous and upbeat experience.
This is not, in any sense, an accurate depiction of life at an arts school. It's a giant MTV VMAs performance.
This Fame is a film without the guts to show Idolized America that, as Debbie Allen so memorably said way back when, "Fame costs, and right here's where you start paying."
Latest News for Fame
September 24, 2009:
Critics Consensus: Surrogates Is A Passable Thriller
This week at the movies, we've got robot clones (Surrogates, starring Bruce Willis and Radha Mitchell), artistic-minded freshmen (Fame, starring Kelsey Grammer and Megan... More...
September 20, 2009:
Five Favorite Films with Fame's Kevin Tancharoen
Though barely into his mid 20s, Kevin Tancharoen is, as the cliché goes, already something of an industry veteran. With a background in both dance and filmmaking, he's moved... More...
June 17, 2009:
Trailer Bulletin: Fame ![]()
Following up on April's teaser, the "Fame" reboot now has a full-length trailer. Will it live forever? Head over to Yahoo! and see for yourself. More...
April 19, 2009:
Trailer & Poster review ![]()
More...
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