Grease is the word.
Grease is a 1978 musical teen romantic comedy film directed by Randal Kleiser, written by Bronté Woodard, produced by Allan Carr Enterprises and Stigwood Group, and distributed by Paramount Pictures. The film is based off of the 1972 musical of the same name. It stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. It was nominated for but did not win Best Original Song. This is the first film in the Grease franchise. It was followed by Grease 2. In 2020, the film was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically" significant.
"Tell me more! Tell me more!" - The T-Birds
Plot
After a magical and romantic summer, teenage lovebirds Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson reunite during the school year, but this time, they are involved in the pressures and cliques of high school.
My Favorite Part of Grease
Grease is based off of a musical, and it's very clear, because the songs are very Broadway-esc. They're catchy and filled with great dancing and staging. They can be really big in scope or they can be personal and small. Whatever it is, the music and dance numbers are the best part of the movie. From classics like Summer Nights to Greased Lightnin', this film is full of fun, energetic, and memorable songs.
My Least Favorite Part of Grease
Unfortunately, the songs are really the only redeeming part of this film. Instead of providing any sort of compelling story or characters, Grease is just concerned with showing us these insanely stereotypical high schoolers from the 50s. All of the characters are just these exaggerated stereotypes of the various types of kids in high school, and so none of them are likable. I am in high school right now, so I don't know if that has any influence on it, but I just couldn't stand any of these characters because of how animated they were. I really, really didn't like that.
Why I Didn't Like Grease
Grease is one of those musicals that probably works a lot better on stage than on screen. There isn't really a shred of story in this movie. We hop from character to character like we're Han Solo zipping through the galaxy at light-speed. The only time that I wasn't rolling my eyes in when there was a good song. Otherwise, the characters are just unlikable and the story is just going nowhere. I did not enjoy this movie.
Final Thoughts and Score
The 70s were a different time. Maybe people enjoyed watching stereotypical high schoolers be idiots while singing. I didn't.
I will give Grease a Sour. Age range is 11+.
SWEET N' SOUR SCALE
Sweet (Great) Savory (Good) Sour (Bad) Moldy (Terrible)
"Grease"
Fun Factor: 5.5/10
Acting: 6.5/10
Story: 2.5/10
Characters: 3/10
Quality: 4.5/10
Directed by Randal Kleiser
Rated PG for sexual references, language, thematic elements
Released on June 16, 1978
1 hour and 50 minutes
John Travolta as Danny Zuko
Olivia Newton-John as Sandy Olsson
Didi Conn as Frenchy
Jeff Conaway as Kenickie
Stockard Channing as Betty Rizzo
Eve Arden as Principal McGee
Sid Caesar as Coach Vince Calhoun
Barry Pearl as Doody
Michael Tucci as Sonny LaTierri
Kelly Ward as Putzie
Jamie Donnelly as Jan
Dinah Manoff as Marty Maraschino
Eddie Deeze as Eugene Felsnic
Susan Buckner as Patty Simcox
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