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Movies / In Cinemas / Fame
Fame

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Fame (2009)

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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 [More]

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

[See More Credits]

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  • Teaser Trailer
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    Trailer
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    Set Interviews
    >
    Halloween Dance
    >
  • Caf Jam
    >
    Here On My Own
    >
    If You Want Fame
    >
    Graduation Drums
    >
  • Hold Your Dream
    >
    Black and Gold
    >
    Get on the Floor
    >
1 - 4 of 11

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Reviews for Fame

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61 - 80 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Fame offers slick entertainment with some exuberance, but it's devoid of soul or heart.

Full Review Source: USA Today | comment Comment
09/25/09
Claudia Puig
Claudia Puig
USA Today

Pleasant, undemanding entertainment for drama-club kids and the people who love them -- a family-friendly salute to young performing artists.

Full Review Source: Newark Star-Ledger | comment Comment
09/25/09
Stephen Whitty
Stephen Whitty
Newark Star-Ledger

A big, bland and bogus clone of a movie update, which runs a half-hour less than the original and only feels like forever.

Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
09/25/09
Linda Winer
Linda Winer
Newsday

In addition to the movie's general awfulness, there's an undercurrent of contempt toward the women characters.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
09/25/09
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

[Its] hyperreal documentary quality is combined with a borderline fantasy feeling, which will probably drive some literal-minded viewers up the wall, but which is actually the movie's best element and its one claim to distinction.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
09/25/09
Mick LaSalle
Mick LaSalle
San Francisco Chronicle

Suffers from a surfeit of flash, it nonetheless offers the undeniable power of young performers pursuing art at peak dexterity.

comment Comment
09/25/09
Andy Webster
Andy Webster
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

NYC high school students sing, dance, emote in acting classes, and otherwise insist that America's got talent, but this unnecessarily tepid, conservative remake of 1980's far more famous and affecting original Fame suggests otherwise.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
09/25/09
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment Weekly

Tries to do so much in so little time that no characters or storylines get the attention they would need to succeed.

Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment Comment
09/24/09
Eric D. Snider
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com

"Fame" is content to simply repeat the key moments from the first film without any of the grit or energy that was on display the first time around.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
09/24/09
Peter Sobczynski
Peter Sobczynski
eFilmCritic.com

There's no time taken for their individual progress, so we don't care about these kids as individuals.

Full Review Source: Mark Reviews Movies | comment Comment
09/24/09
Mark Dujsik
Mark Dujsik
Mark Reviews Movies

...shows his talents by presenting each musical number as if it were a separate music video, allowing each song to tell it's own story

Full Review Source: Nolan's Pop Culture Review | comment Comment
09/24/09
Michael A. Smith
Michael A. Smith
Nolan's Pop Culture Review

Brim[s] with enough confidence and promise to carry you through the predictable narrative.

Full Review Source: MovieTime, ABC Radio National | comment Comment
09/24/09
Ruth Hessey
Ruth Hessey
MovieTime, ABC Radio National

Hardly necessary, but highly enjoyable.

Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph (Australia) | comment Comment
09/24/09
Leigh Paatsch
Leigh Paatsch
Daily Telegraph (Australia)

Tancharoen does not bring anything particularly fresh or distinctive to the song and dance elements of the story, but the new group of students (led by possible star Kay Panabaker as Jenny) deliver credible-enough performances.

Full Review Source: Courier Mail (Australia) | comment Comment
09/24/09
Des Partridge
Des Partridge
Courier Mail (Australia)

Not going to live forever. Not going to light up the sky like a flame.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine Australasia | comment Comment
09/24/09
Ben McEachen
Ben McEachen
Empire Magazine Australasia

Riddled with cliches from beginning to end...[a] misguided exhumation of what was once a pretty lively piece.

Full Review Source: One Guy's Opinion | comment Comment
09/24/09
Frank Swietek
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

Rated PG, it's almost laughably bland and watered-down in its desire to appeal to the widest possible audience.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
09/24/09
Stephen Farber
Stephen Farber
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Seems a bit lackluster next to the original, 1980 Oscar winner.

Full Review Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | comment Comment
09/24/09
Sue Pierman
Sue Pierman
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Much of Fame draws us in, through the irresistible appeal of young people bursting with energy.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
09/24/09
Moira MacDonald
Moira MacDonald
Seattle Times

A film that’s largely a raw, uplifting love letter to creativity in every possible form.

Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
09/24/09
Tasha Robinson
Tasha Robinson
AV Club
 
 
61 - 80 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 >> >|
all

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 Opens in new window
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 Opens in new window
More...

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