The Film

Synopsis:

Set to a new wave 80’s soundtrack, a pair of young lovers from different backgrounds defy their parents and friends to stay together. A musical adaptation of the 1983 film.

The Review:

Director Rachel Lee Goldenberg was discovered by Will Ferrell and given her first big break, a chance at directing his Lifetime Movie A Deadly Adoption. Since then she has done a number of television programs but never a feature film. Those sensibilities as a director carry through here, it is a rather “paint-by-numbers” high school musical with no new ground being covered. The production had its issues, originally supposed to be released in 2018 but was shelved due to controversies surrounding Logan Paul. A wide theatrical release was planned, but due to COVID shared a Video-On-Demand release simultaneously with select drive-in theaters.

A remake/reimagining of the 80’s cult classic, while faithful to its predecessor, there is a different story being told. Beginning with a break up and ending with a prom, there are plenty of songs to sing along with along the way. The 80’s soundtrack and musical numbers can be quite rousing and there is some fun to be had. There is enough here for fans of musicals or those who are nostalgic for shopping malls, aerobics, and all those 80’s hairdo’s. The performances are perfectly fine, Judy Greer and Mae Whitman are always fun to watch. With so much negativity and hate in the world, there’s nothing wrong with a few musical numbers and singing along to “Take on Me” a little too loudly.

2.5 out of 5

Special Features:

There are no special features on this current release.

Nuts and Bolts:

Running Time: 102 minutes

Rated PG-13 for teen partying, language, some suggestive material, and brief nudity.

DVD: DTS-HD, DLBY/DGTL

Blu-Ray: DTS-HD