GREASE
RATING: 8 / 10 --> Great movie
Review Date:
April 20, 1998
Director:
Randal
Kleiser
Writers:
Allan Carr
and Bronte Woodward (adapted from play)
Producers:
Allan Carr and Robert Stigwood
Actors:
John Travolta as Danny
Zuko
Olivia-Newton John as Sandy
Olsen
Stockard Channing as Rizzo
Jeff Conaway as
Kenickie
Genre:
Musical
Year of Release:
1978 / 1998
Originally launched in 1978, this popular film was re-introduced
in 1998 to a whole new generation of moviegoers. Based on the
mighty successful musical from Broadway, GREASE was followed in
1980 with the less stellar GREASE 2 (6.5/10), starring a young
Michelle Pheiffer in one of her first feature film roles.
PLOT:
High-school musical set in the 1950's showcasing the relationship
between the cool Danny Zuko of the T-Birds (Travolta) and the
innocent and pure Sandy Olsen (Newton-John) from Australia. The
film follows the couple and their vivacious friends during their
last year at Rydell High through song, dance and humour.
CRITIQUE:
Fun-loving, energetic and innocent look back at times much
simpler. This movie effectively juggles a thin romantic story
line and the overall experience of the 1950's, with a superb
soundtrack and some great dance numbers. Admittedly, I am
somewhat biased in this opinion, since this film blasts me into
my past as a rebellious youth (GREASE was one of Schmoe's first
big-screen experiences, and every other scene sends me reeling
into the times of my elaborate GREASE bubble-gum card
collection), and the lesser responsibilities that I possessed at
that time. But apart from the nostalgic vibe, I was still
extremely impressed by this film, as it continued to amuse me,
despite my previous dozen or so viewings.
This film took John Travolta from a dim-witted
"Sweathog" on TV's Welcome Back Kotter, and transformed
him into a movie-star of spectacular proportions (SATURDAY NIGHT
FEVER (7.5/10) in 1977 had jumpstarted that ascension).
Unfortunately for the rest of the cast, his popularity was not
terribly contagious, despite their effective showings in this
classic movie.
On the down side, some of the absolute innocence in this film
might bore or turn people off (like when Sandy sings about
"drinking lemonade" and "staying out until
10" with Danny in "Summer Nights"), and the plot
isn't exactly the most elaborate story-line ever created, but
despite these small reservations, this movie carries enough great
music and high energy to keep anyone amused through its rapid 110
minute running time (And believe me...I am not a fan of the
musicals!!). Make sure to look for a young Lorenzo Lamas in the
static role of the brainless football player, as well as the
National Bandstand dance contest as one of the film's absolute
highlights. And don't forget to buy the popular soundtrack
afterwards, so that you could listen to its peppy tunes whenever
you're feeling a little blue.
Little Known Facts:
Henry Winkler, of TV's Happy Days' Fonzie fame, turned down the
part of Danny Zuko because he did not want to be typecast for the
rest of his career.
Both Travolta and Conaway were smitten by Newton-John during the
filming of this picture. Conaway eventually bowed out of the
woo-fest, and married Newton-John's sister a year later (divorced
after five years).
(c) 1998 Berge Garabedian
Movie Reviews by Berge Garabedian