Rocky Horror-ish

Image from WiffleGif

     Six years ago, FOX took a chance on the Rocky Horror Picture Show (Subtitled Let's do The Time Warp Again) via an episode of GLEE. I gave it a fairly favorable review at the time (in my defense, the episode had John Stamos), but I could see where the story lacked definition and guts. After viewing the TV movie reboot from a few weeks ago, I still have same of the same qualms. In 2016, "RH" is not much of a shocker. I think that may be the overall problem with the musical. There's something so hokey about the 1975 version that is lost on today's audiences. We're  much more jaded, unlike innocent Brad and Janet. We're not at all shocked when Dr. Frank-N-Furter  (Laverne Cox) stabs beloved rocker Eddie (Adam Lambert) and pushed him out an open window. When Janet (Victoria Justice) begs perfect man specimen Rocky to "Touch-a touch-a touch me" in her skirt slip and bra, she's covered more than Britney Spears on stage in Las Vegas.

Image from Nerdist

     For good measure, the "Time warp" dance was good, but it looked tame compared to 90 percent of the stage performances at the 2016 MTV VMAs. We don't even bat an eye over songs like "Sweet Transvestite." In short, it was a decent production, but nothing really special  because the first "RH" broke the mold. It's too campy to be taken seriously as a  new movie. The beauty of a live performance of Rocky is the audience interaction, which took on a life of it's own. The team attempted to represent this by showing extras in a movie theater watching the scenes from time to time and reacting as an audience at a live show would. For someone not familiar with the musical, it would come off as confusing and odd that they were cutting to people throwing popcorn at a marriage proposal between the Doc and Rocky. I also think they strangely left out a lot of the parts in songs where the audience yells out things to the cast. They could have put these notes on the screen, like the "Hand Jive" instructions for Grease Live. My summation on January's production is coming soon, and looking more favorable every day I think about "RH."

BOTTOM LINE:
     The costumes were as expected, the singing was good, and the casting was adequate. There was one notable exception of Rocky, who seemed to clomp like an elephant one moment, and deftly maneuver around a bed the next. I liked the rendition of the "pool" scene in this version more than in the older movie. Quite honestly, most of that scene should be cut. It comes at a part of the movie when everyone is sensing it's filler. My recommendation is to stick with a live action version being acted out along with the movie. I'll give this version a solid 2.75 out of 5 stars. I bumped it up from 2.5 because of how sad and uncomfortable stroke survivor Tim Rice (the original Dr. Frank) looked as the narrator.

A Note: What Grease Taught Me About Life Part 1

I recently had the pleasure of attending a screening of GREASE (one of my all-time favorite movies since early childhood) with a Q and A with Didi Conn (Frenchy). I loved seeing Didi up close, and she was the sweetest person. She told us some great stories about auditioning for the movie and filming the "teen angel" scene with Frankie Valli. Plus, I had some time to reflect on the important life lessons GREASE taught me:

5. Summer love doesn't have to end when summer does
There's high probability that your summer fling won't go back to Australia (like Sandy), and you'll suddenly have to address the relationship with your friends, "I don't know this Danny you speak of. Maybe you should check the yellow pages or take out a missing persons ad." Oh, those Summer Nights.

4. Radio DJ's will pray on young fans
Thanks Mr. Vince Fontaine for putting the moves on Marty during the hand jive contest instead of noticing Cha Cha stealing Danny away for the final dance,"Do your parents know I come into your room every night? On WKLB of course."

3. When you need a date for the dance, ask your boyfriend's mortal enemy
It helps if they're in rival gangs, and it makes for a more interesting hand jive contest. See 0:56 for "dirty dancing with boyfriend's enemy," and 1:23 for ensuing fight.

2. Gossip spreads like wildfire at the drive-in.
In about 4o seconds, the entire drive-in knew Rizzo might be pregnant. And when Sandy left Danny, "Stranded at the drive-in. Branded a fool. What will they say Monday at school?", things did not look good.

1. Dress slutty and boys will like you. Then sing about it.
There's nothing like hearing "I've got chills... they're multiplying." You're the One That I Want, indeed.

Stay tuned for more GREASE life lessons.