Grease (1 & 2)
GREASEÂ (PG)
D:Â Randal Kleiser
Paramount (Robert Stigwood & Allan
Carr)
USA 🇺🇸 1978
110 mins
Musical/Comedy
W: Bronte Woodard & Allan Carr [based on the
musical by Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey]
DP:Â Bill Butler
Ed:Â John F. Burnett
Mus:Â Louis St. Louis
PD: Philip Jeffries
Cos: Albert Wolsky
John Travolta (Danny Zuko), Olivia
Newton-John (Sandy), Stockard Channing (Rizzo), Jeff Conaway (Kenickie), Didi Conn (Frenchy), Jamie Donnelly (Jan), Dinah Manoff (Marty), Barry Pearl (Doody),
Michael Tucci (Sonny)
Criticproof cult musical which has several bad points
but still continues to amass a huge fan base over 30 years after it's original release.
Based on a stage musical, it's a rather basic boy
meets girl story with some questionable morals, such as being rebellious equals being cool, and girls will get the guy if they act slutty. The soundtrack however is incredibly memorable,
and the success of the film cannot be sniffed at.
John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John aren't exactly
convincing as high school students, but are still irreplaceable in their roles, although both are completely upstaged by Stockard Channing's Rizzo.
Far from perfect, but who cares? It's cheesy,
nostalgic fun.
8/10
GREASE 2Â (PG)
D: Patricia Birch
Paramount (Robert Stigwood & Allan Carr)
USA 🇺🇸 1982
114 mins
Musical/Comedy
W: Ken Finkleman
DP:Â Frank Stanley
Ed: John F. Burnett
Mus:Â Louis St. Louis
Maxwell Caulfield (Michael Carrington), Michelle Pfeiffer
(Stephanie Zinone), Adrian Zmed (Johnny Nogorelli), Lorna Luft (Paulette Rebchuck), Eve Arden (Principal Greta McKee), Christopher McDonald (Goose McKenzie)
The success of the original film ensured that a sequel
would materialise, although this isn't what the 1978 film deserved.
Story-wise, it's virtually a remake of the first film,
although drag racing has been replaced with motorcycles, the T-Birds are turned into a bunch of uncool wimps (although the Pink Ladies are still as slutty) and it can't seem to decide whether
or not it's set in the 1960's or 1980's.
It's not as bad as some of the hate it gets, although it
was bad enough to ensure there wasn't going to be a part 3.
4/10
