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Though now, it hasn't got a pretty cover. If there’s any reason fors another re-issue of Grease so soon is because the last few versions of the film looked dreadful – they were often grainy,
colours were off, and the soundtrack didn’t pack as much punch as our
home theatres would’ve liked it to.
This latest version, on the other
hand, is brilliant. It is sharp, well coloured, and the sound will have
the walls shaking it is that damn good. I dare say this is the best
Grease has ever looked.
There
aren’t many films from the 70s that you don’t sit and watch and have as
much fun spotting all the ‘dated elements’ of the production as you do
actually watching the film, but Grease is indeed such a film.
It
holds up really well. The dialogue is snappy, the performances are
wonderful (Olivia Newton-John was never better – unfortunately for her)
and the songs still get your legs, and everything else for that matter,
wobblin’ Elvis-style.
Based on the play of the same name, the
Randal Kleiser directed film sees the school rebel (John Travolta)
falling in love with a young woman over Summer break, with a wide-eyed
innocent (Olivia Newton-John) who he later discovers has just enrolled
in his high school.
Typically (boys being boys, cools being cools) the cocky Sandy snubs the object of his affection… but not for too long.
Grease
is possibly the best musical ever made – a point likely to be argued by
the Astaire/Day/Rogers/Kelly fans – and is one of those feel-good
films you can pop in the DVD player any old time and be guaranteed to
smile for a couple of hours.
Time to update your copy of Grease, me thinks.
DVD EXTRAS with Sean Lynch
With so many "Special Edition" releases in the last decade, it's a
wonder there is anything more to even say about the film via audio
commentaries and "retrospective" interviews.
So, the big question is, what does Grease : 30th Anniversary Edition
have that the last few editions before it didn't? Well, there isn't
much. In fact, you'll be hard pressed to tell the difference.
Having
said that, if you havent already got a copy on hand, this Edition is
going out at a reduced price - but with a combination of Extras... so
it's actually pretty good value. The most interesting extras on offer
are the various featurettes (four in total) as well as interviews with
Travolta and Olivia .
However, we are all here for one reason -
and thats to sing along when no on el se is looking. Hence the "Sing
Along" features are nothing short of spectacular (just don't tell
anyone I said that!!).
A great movie, and well worth investing
in if you haven't already done so... or need to upgrade from that worn
out VHS (you know the one - where it was on TV and throughout there is
a scrolling graphic across the bottom saying a local radio station is
simulcasting the entire film).
Conclusion:
Movie 90% Extras: 80%
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