SnoReptilePlenty Memorable, crazy movie

Odelecol Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Aiden Melton The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

Logan By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

italo505 Jordin Sparks really sparkles. That's about the only thing that elevates Sparkle from a wannabe "Dreamgirls" to what it is: a star vehicle for Jodin. To promote the movie they cast Whitney Houston in big bold letters but it's really Jodin Sparks who shines as a girl from Detroit in 1968 that breaks all the molds, including her mother's, in order to become Motown's new shining star. I don't mind that her sister named Sister (Carmen Ejogo) steals the spotlight. Sister is, after all, the one that drives every man in the club insane as rabid dogs (and I mean dogs, literally) as she puts on the heat with her sensual performances. All the while, Sparkle is the talented one, the one that pens and inspires the wonderful and original music. The movie is a delight to watch for the great outfits, the club scenes, the live music that you can almost feel and makes you feel part of the audience. Frankly, I enjoy Whitney's last performance as a stern, religious mother who oppresses her daughters to be good Christian, church going women that don't get to experience life and feel forced to sneak out of their home whenever they want to go out and have a little bit of fun at the club. Other performance I enjoy is Derek Luke's (from Antwone Fisher) as Stix, the man who sees Sparkle's potential, and bends over backwards to make her the star that she's destined to be. However, not all is peaches and creme in Sparkle. There's a goofy comedian named Satin (Mike Epps) who pokes fun at his fellow black folk in his stand up routines and makes sure to flash his bling-bling around Sister, who is as pretty as she is dumb to not realize what a jerk he is. The problem I had with their toxic relationship is that they fail at capturing the severity of domestic violence and turn it into an almost comical, over the top note that should never be. How predictable is this story when it tries to imitate Tina Turner? Had anybody seen What's Love Got To Do With It? Sparkle tries to borrow many used ideas from girl group films that might have worked well in the past but bring nothing new to the table, no mystery that Sister and Satin don't get a happy ending. And what's up with those names? Really, who sits and think of naming their kids Sparkle, or Sister, or Stix, or Satin... Really, who?

dgefroh First let me start by saying if you ever see a movie directed by Salim Akil, or a movie written by Mara Brock Akil, or a movie produced by either of these two clowns, think very hard as to whether your hard earned and much valued money should go toward the junk they call movie magic. These two jokers have duped the movie going public with the most transparent, poorly written, poorly produced and directed trite I've viewed in years. To say I disliked this attempt at a movie is to be too kind, it stinks!! Now the good...I actually liked the acting, Jordin Sparks showed promise, as did the entire cast including Whitney. The music was decent, not great but decent and it helped you make it through the drudgery of this terrible and predictable so called movie. The bottom line on this piece of junk is that it is so bad I've already forgotten about it....enough said, skip this one and watch out for Salim Akil and Mara Brock Akil who are trying to pass themselves off as directors, producers, and writers, they are frauds and I personally hope I never hear their names again.

jeancothern I am a fan of the late Whitney Houston, so I had to see this to say my "goodbyes". Whitney is very good as strict mama Emma, but I can see her character worries about her daughters, Sister (Carmen Ejogo), Dee (Tika Sumpter)& Sparkle (Jordin Sparks). The actress playing Sister is awesome & you feel sorry for her. Dee is spunky but Sparkle is kinda like a wall flower. Only a few references to drugs, sex but has a strong violence element between sister & Satin Struthers (Mike Epps). I bought the original film & think the original is more grimy. Epps character is one you'd like to kick him in the pants! The music is awesome and the film looks really good. You feel like you're really in the 60's. Before this film I had never heard of Ejojo or Sumpter, but along with Sparks, they have a bright future! Ceelo Green is wasted in this film, his part is nearly a cameo! It's good to hear him sing something other than his hit "Forget You". I don't claim to be a great writer but I review only things I've seen. Hope everyone who loves a good film with good acting, singing and a good story goes to see this. Whitney would have been proud of this last film.

WydeOpen Set in 1960s against the backdrop of the explosion of R&B thanks in large part to Berry Gordy and Motown Records, Sparkle is an artistic homage to the original 1974 film with it's own unique voice. Looking to become the next Berry Gordy, a young man named Stix, played by Derek Luke (Friday Night Lights) helps three talented sisters form a R&B group which he hopes to get signed to a major record label. But as fame comes their way, it becomes more of a challenge for the family to stay together. Among those standing in the way of success is the girls' mother, Emma, a jaded and bitter former singer who now wants nothing more for her than "a respectful education and a relationship with the Lord." American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks gives a adequate performance in her film debut as Sparkle, the youngest sister of the trio and Stix best chance at realizing his dream. It doesn't hurt they share the dream and a lot of chemistry. Carmen Ejogo channels Lonette McKee (Half & Half) and gives a stellar performance as Sister, the oldest, most defiant sister and the one most desperate for fame and fortune. The sister that the mother Emma fears will most likely follow in her footsteps.Irony permeates a supporting part that was supposedly designed to be Whitney Houston's "comeback role" but instead sadly became her swan song. Although this was not a starring vehicle for Whitney, that fact, may be testament to her skill as an actor; not upstaging newcomer Sparks while still making her presence felt through her character's personality.Surprisingly it's Mike Epps (Next Friday) who steals the show as Satin,a paradoxically evil stand-up comedian with whom Sister falls in love. His command of the screen displays his growth as an actor since his first roles as nothing more than comedic relief or bit parts early in his career. The fact that Epps who is a hilarious comedian in real life gave such a strong performance that was intentionally not funny but intensely dramatic should speak volumes to future casting directors who may have previously seen him as a one-note actor who would forever play sidekicks like "Black Dougs" as in The Hangover and Day-Days like his character in Next Friday and its sequel. More than anything, Sparkle is a soulful musical complete with feel good R&B songs from the original like the Curtis Mayfield penned "Something He Can Feel" and "Hooked on Your Love" which are beloved classics today. Other catchy original songs for the film, like the melodic "One Wing" were produced by none other that R. Kelly himself. It's the gospel cornerstone "His Eye Is On the Sparrow" however, that provides Whitney an opportunity to provide yet another (but sadly her last) powerful performance that would make her mother, gospel legend, Cissy Houston proud. Maybe it's that real life tragedy of that underlines the plot that also undermines it. Every time Whitney is on screen, one cannot help but feel a twinge of grief knowing she is no longer alive, ultimately because of the same showbiz demons that her onsceen daughter was battling.