Fame offers slick entertainment with some exuberance, but it's devoid of soul or heart.
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
Pleasant, undemanding entertainment for drama-club kids and the people who love them -- a family-friendly salute to young performing artists.
A big, bland and bogus clone of a movie update, which runs a half-hour less than the original and only feels like forever.
In addition to the movie's general awfulness, there's an undercurrent of contempt toward the women characters.
[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.
Suffers from a surfeit of flash, it nonetheless offers the undeniable power of young performers pursuing art at peak dexterity.
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.
Tries to do so much in so little time that no characters or storylines get the attention they would need to succeed.
"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.
There's no time taken for their individual progress, so we don't care about these kids as individuals.
...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
Brim[s] with enough confidence and promise to carry you through the predictable narrative.
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.
Not going to live forever. Not going to light up the sky like a flame.
Riddled with cliches from beginning to end...[a] misguided exhumation of what was once a pretty lively piece.
Rated PG, it's almost laughably bland and watered-down in its desire to appeal to the widest possible audience.
Much of Fame draws us in, through the irresistible appeal of young people bursting with energy.
A film that’s largely a raw, uplifting love letter to creativity in every possible form.
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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