Huievest
Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.
Mandeep Tyson
The acting in this movie is really good.
Justina
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
Rick Shur
It's not a minor problem that ten minutes into the opening, I had trouble buying the premise, that Vanessa Williams had waited eight years for Jason Alexander to become an English professor and marry her. In the original, Dick Van Dyke and Chita seemed like a match made in heaven, so I was on board from the word go. Otherwise, I thought the casting was great, although Chinna Phyllips didn't have the voice of either Susan Watson (stage) or Ann Margrett (screen), and she couldn't do her songs justice. I thought Reinking's choreography was a bit claustrophobic, although the kids were energetic and adorable and really evoked a sixties innocence. Strouse was about 30 when he wrote the music, which I think epitomizes the melodiousness of the best of Broadway musicals. Every number is catchy and so many remain in the canon of unforgettable theater hits. As for the book, the farcical treatment of small town America is hilarious, but I think you need to have been alive in the early sixties to appreciate it fully. Finally, if you need the best excuse to check out this version, it's Tyne Daley as Alexander's bullying mother. Having played in Birdie and Gypsy (as Mama Rose), she has established herself as the comic mother from hell, her franchise for all time. It's like she's possessed, and her performance is mesmerizing.
slippedin
Saw this as previous viewer by accident, I have watched it twice now. I thoroughly enjoyed it, no silly thought provoking messages just plain good fun entertainment, good songs, good characters and a just a feel good film Highly recommended to those of us that just like to enjoy films and not dissect them Great Fun for all the family here. I didn't realise Rosie Alvarez is played by Vanessa Williams, she is excellent and very sultry. The songs like One Boy and One last Kiss are really enjoyable to listen to and to tap your feet to Jason Alexander is the complete contrast to his character in Pretty Woman ans is very good. Tyne Daley still sticks in my mind from Cagney and Lacey and her voice and accent still had that remembrance in it. Overall I just loved it and will be looking to purchase it if it is available
AnGeL1286
I have always loved the original movie, but I decided to watch this version to see if this one was nearly as good. Although this version sticks closely to the stage play, and nearly keeps the same script, it is dull and I found myself fast forwarding many slow scenes. If you're going to watch the movie, watch the Ann-Margret version, which is absolutely wonderful. There are many MANY flaws with this one.1. Could the dialogue scenes be any more boring?? This was not a problem in the original! Even some of the newer songs ("Giant Step", etc. just made it drag!)2. You would think with Ann Reinking as the choreographer the dances would be brilliant. WRONG! The fast-paced songs consisted of the teens clicking their fingers. That's IT. Sure, sometimes they actually SKIPPED or something but basically songs like "American Boy", "Honestly Sincere", and "Telepone Hour" were standstill numbers.3. Half the people in this movie can't act OR sing. Which you think would be one of the requirements when you are putting on a movie musical. Especially the females who play Kim and Mrs. MacAfee.4. Casting Chynna Phillips as Kim was a TERRIBLE mistake. Sure, she's pretty but at the time of filming she was a 27 year old playing a 17 year old, and it shows! And she can't sing or act...and she's one of the leads!! I cringed when she opened her mouth to sing, enough said. This is a minor complaint, but isn't this Hugo just a little TOO cute to play a dorky teen like Bobby Rydell did in the original?Now to the good parts! Jason Alexander is my new Albert Peterson!! He was BRILLIANT! And Vanessa L. Williams BLEW me away as Rosie!! Thank Goodness the director had some brains casting them!! They were amazing to watch. And even though people have complained about the girl who played Ursula - I thought she was the best teen in this whole movie - especially when she sings "Bye Bye Birdie" . She was a bubbly, obnoxious teen - which is what Ursula should be! That's another problem with this movie - they make the small songs like "An English Teacher" and "Bye Bye Birdie" the hits of the movie and the MAIN songs - well, boring. The last hour or so of the movie they should have cut, it was so boring! And don't even get me started on Conrad! Do they not know he was supposed to be sexy??? Watch the first half hour for Jason and Vanessa - then turn the TV off!!!
leoloverdf
In my opinion this was better than the original. The cast is great. Jason Alexander shines as Albert, he has a fantastic voice!! Vanessa Williams was a wonderful Rosie!! All of the cast was fabulous. If you are a fan of the original film or the musical see this version. It's alot of fun!!
