Grease starring John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John on DVD

Director: Randal Kleiser

Amazon.com
Riding the strange '50s nostalgia wave that swept through America during the late 1970s (caused by TV shows like Happy Days and films like American Graffiti), Grease became not only the word in 1978, but also a box-office smash and a cultural phenomenon. Twenty years later, this entertaining film adaptation of the Broadway musical received another successful theatrical release, which included visual remastering and a shiny new Dolby soundtrack. All of these stylistic touches are essential to the film's success. Without the fabulously choreographed, widescreen musical numbers; vibrant colors; and unforgettably campy and catchy tunes (like "Greased Lightening," "Summer Nights," and "You're the One That I Want"), the film would have to rely on a silly, cliché-filled plot that we've seen hundreds of times. As it is, the episodic story about the romantic dilemmas experienced by a group of graduating high school seniors remains fresh, fun, and incredibly imaginative. The young, animated cast also deserves a lot of credit, bringing chemistry and energy to otherwise bland material. John Travolta, straight from his success in Saturday Night Fever, knows his sexual star power and struts, swaggers, sings, and dances appropriately; while Olivia Newton-John's portrayal of virgin innocence is the only decent acting she's ever done. And then there's Stockard Channing, spouting sexual double-entendres as Rizzo, the bitchy, raunchy leader of the Pink Ladies, who steals the film from both of its stars. While this version contains retrospective interviews with the cast and director Randal Kleiser, it's unfortunately not letterboxed. As a result, the widescreen dance numbers are instead panned and scanned, destroying the symmetrical, lively choreography. A widescreen version is also available and is highly recommended. Ignore the sequel at all costs.

 

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John Holleman, In Association With Amazon.com
Oxford, MS
 

 

 

 

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