It never ceases to amaze me how films like this manage to get made. At what point does no-one stand up and say "Ok guys we've got a real Turkey on our hands here! Something needs to be done!" It's almost as though the producers thought that we'd all be so distracted by Frasier not being Frasier and Karen not being Karen that we'd somehow miss the crap fest being played out before our eyes.
Adding to my dislike of the film is the fact that it has completely bastardized the concept of the original 1980 Fame, marketing itself as an update. I can't help but feel like Director Kevin Tancharoen took a whizz on a Picasso.
Producers need to get their heads examined for choosing Tanchareon in the first place. His most prestigious credits to date include "The Search For The Next Pussycat Doll" and "Britney Spears Live From Miami". Just because you can zoom a camera in on a pop tarts ass does not qualify you to helm a fifteen million dollar musical in which you have to deal with real actors, a fact that is painfully obvious throughout the film.
The musical numbers are boring and unimaginative. You could expect the same quality from your local High School production. You are not really supposed to leave a musical feeling as though you could have done a better job on the choreography when the closest you've come to a dance routine is the Macorina.
Next on my hit list is screenwriter Allison Burnett. Did she even watch the original Fame? It was gritty and real! It dealt with a variety of tough issues such as sex, drugs, violence, class divide and interracial relationships. This is not exactly the typical subject matter that you'd associate with a musical which is why it was so groundbreaking. Fame 2009 on the other hand comes across as something the Disney Channel schlepped together as a follow up to High School Musical. The greatest source of conflict in the film is basically "I want to sing but my parents want me to play classical piano!" Cue the violins. Now don't get me wrong. There's nothing wrong with a family friendly musical, but the various plots were executed so badly it makes me appreciate the nuances of Glitter!
The script is a disaster. We are introduced to a number of characters whose plots go nowhere. After supposedly spending three years in the lives of these people their is absolutely no growth or discernible change in anybody. In fact, character development is so atrocious that after two hours you couldn't care a less about anyone. In one scene a dancer makes a hastily considered attempt at suicide. As an audience member you think "Gosh i guess i should want you to stop but i don't really know who you are because I've only seen you in like two other scenes and being told that you haven't made an improvement doesn't real seem like a reason to end your life but hey i don't really care"
Another major blunder is that the talent school possesses no students that are particularly talented. As a matter of fact you can't help but wonder if the list of successful applicants was confused with the list of rejects and then no-one had the heart to tell anyone. Producers opted for a cast of unknowns and there is a reason why are they are unknown and most probably will remain unknown. None of the young cast possessed the appeal or charisma to actually make their roles memorable. Not even the likes of Kelsey Grammer, Bebe Neuwirth or Megan Mullally could elevate the acting standard from a code Gigli. I felt like i wanted to throw them a parachute and scream "Get out of the burning plane you can still have a career!" Their small and thankless roles may even leave you scratching your head as to why they'd waist their time with it in the first place.
Fame 2009 should not have been made, but it was so we must all suffer the consequences. Save your money, save your time, save yourself!
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