Yesterday, I hopped to my local movie theater, purchased a ticket for the Fame reboot, and began preparing myself for the exciting performances that would soon appear on-screen. After all, these musical numbers would come courtesy of an awesomely talented, young, breakout cast, right? Well…kinda. Though the cast might have been hindered by their own material — the film paled in comparison to the gritty 1980 version, thanks to a clear effort to make the film more accessible to the High School Musical set — I left the theater only remembering two names: Naturi Naughton and Collins Pennie.
Irene Cara was the breakout of 1980’s Fame. So it’s only fitting that Naughton, the actress reprising Coco Hernandez’s musical numbers, would be the obvious standout of the 2009 version. As Denise Dupree, Naughton blew me over on numbers like “Out Here On My Own,” and made the rest of the cast look like amateurs (though, admittedly, as performing arts students, that was what they were supposed to be). Except, of course, for Collins Pennie, the actor who played the tortured Malik Washburn with such intensity, I wondered why he doesn’t have a more expansive resume.
Because, honestly, when it came down to it, Denise and Malik were the only two characters in the film with clear talent. Yes, Asher Book’s Marco had a nice voice, but his lovesick dorkiness throughout the film distracted from his vocal gifts. (And surely, the best singer at a performing arts school would at least come close to comparing to the Adam Lamberts of the world, right?) SYTYCD’s Kherington Payne, as Alice, wasn’t nearly as technically proficient as other ballet dancers featured in the film. And as for Kay Panabaker’s Jenny…well, does anyone understand why the wannabe actress who could neither sing nor act was accepted into the school in the first place?
Am I being too hard on the cast? And do you, like me, think Naughton and Pennie were sublime in their roles? (That is, if you even saw the film — from preliminary box office figures, it looks like many of you skipped.) Let’s make these two bona fide stars, yeah?
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They lost me with the ‘no gay characters’
I haven’t seen the movie, so I’m not debating your take on it. However, I will point out that not every actor/actress is also a singer and dancer. And as far as I know, you can be accepted to the acting track at most performing high schools without those skills, though you’ll almost certainly wind up taking classes in them.
My problem with this movie (and I haven’t seen it yet) is that – unlike the world when the first movie came out – you don’t actually need to go to a performing arts high school to become famous. It’s just not relevant anymore. Society has, unfortunately, made it obsolete (as far as gaining fame is concerned). Talent on the other hand is something different. Also when the original Fame came out there hadn’t been a movie like it before. Now they are a dime a dozen.
The movie sucks. It was just a pilot for the TV series to return. Think about it, all the teachers were TV actors, the students were all unknown. It was geared to the high school musical crowd. It is all a ploy to cash in on that crowd with a new TV series. Too bad they had to blemish the name of the original Fame to accomplish this. As usual shame on you the movie/tv industry for using us as puppets yet again.
The moive was all right but I liked the orginal fame. I wish this one could have been as gritty as the original. But I did love Naturi Naughton I thought Collins Pennie was all right but he didn’t do it for me. I liked Asher Book but your right he was kind of a Love sick puppy.
I’m guessing the abortion scene didn’t make it?
The movie was ok…not impressed with much of the talent. Naturi was definately the standout and Asher Book was very cute – however not deep enough. The original Fame had many more indepth story lines for each character and this one seemed very shallow, missing plot, and I totally agree – how did Penny EVEN get into PA – she suxs!
She was very good. But, he sucked! His character was such a stereotype, and he played that to the extreme. That was some hardcore over-acting. I couldn’t stand him.
The whole movie was just cliche after cliche. Not at all gritty, raw, and realistic like the original. The talking scenes were too short. In the original, there were very long scenes of the kids just sitting and talking, and that was what made it great. It was real, and we really got to know the characters. In this new one, they dumbed it down to appeal to a wider audience, so they cut all al those long talking scenes. And when they did talk, it was just cliches.
The only character I got attached to was Jenny. She wasn’t the one with the standout talent, but she was the more developed. And I really like the Panabaker sisters. They’re extremely smart, and very good actresses.
Judging from the soundtrack, Naughton’s talents are insufficient to handle the Irene cara songs she tries (by a mile), and Penne’s rap is dead lame. Seriously – dull, uninspired, and lacking any real spark. I might be better on film, but I doubt the image will improve the tepid music. Now, a far better question is why Asher Booke isn’t a household name, since he *kills* his songs – the only decent ones on the otherwise lame soundtrack.
Don’t worry about Naughton, she’s got an agent and we’ll see her again.
I came away with a similar impression. The film was okay, though not great, but what really made an impression was Naturi Naughton. I hope this is the beginning of a long career for her, as it should be. Collins Penne didn’t do it for me though. I liked Asher Brook but agree that while he had a good voice, surely the best singer in a school for performing arts should be better than that. He should be Broadway good, and instead was only recording artist good. I liked Penny a lot for the first half of the film but after awhile I started thinking surely no one is THAT naive! All in all it was good entertainment for a night but not something I’m going to want to watch again.
If she has a good agent, she’ll be heard again. I don’t think she has a “pop” voice, but more along Broadway and classical singing.
I think Naughton’s 3LW drama put a hinder on her career. While her other group members went on to be Cheetah Girl members and date Khardashians…she was still stuggling to get a piece of the spot light. But as you can see talent is more than Disney backing your career or who you date. Naughton has grown into her own. It may have taken time and a much to be desired impersonation of Lil Kim, but the girl is talented and we will be hearing and seeing more from her.
I thought Naturi Naughton was the best thing in January’s “Notorious” film, where she was wonderful as Lil’ Kim. And to see her again this weekend in “Fame”, I’d say she’s done great since her days of the early 2000s R&B trio 3LW (for which the two girls kicked her out for trying to negotiate her contract). Her rendition of “Out Here On My Own” was electrifing to see in the theater!
Oh yeah, to “Will”, I thought the character of Kevin Barrett (played by Paul McGill) was assumed to be gay?
The only thing more odious than this soulless movie is when people use the term “reboot” instead of “remake.” WTF, EW? Knock it off, Kate.