Fame Blu-ray Reviews

Fame, is a January 12th Blu-ray release from MGM Home Entertainment.  A recreation of the original hit dance movie, the film offers explosive music and dance movies from a talent group of performing artists who not only learn their art, but also experience a path of self-discovery.  Featuring stars of recent hit shows like So You Think You Can Dance, the new Fame movie is a more contemporary version of the 1980 original.

Fame follows a crew of dancers, singers, actors and artists over four years at the New York City High School of Performing Arts. A diverse, creative powerhouse, the school offers students from all walks of life a chance to live out their dreams and achieve real and lasting fame…the kind that comes only from talent, dedication, and hard work. In an incredibly competitive atmosphere, students, mentored by the best and toughest teachers, strive for their moment in the spotlight and find out who amongst them has what is takes to succeed.

It is exciting to see a recreation of the original Fame movie 30 years later.  As a fan of So You Think You Can Dance, a show which Allen has guest-judged on, it is great to see show alums, like Kherington Payne featured in a Fame remake.

The challenge in trying to recreate enthusiasm about a classic movie like Fame is that it is always going to be compared to the original standard.  This is especially true when the remake is essentially the same concept and story told with a new cast of characters.  In this case, the characters are not as emotionally intriguing and as developed as they are in the original.  Still, if you like dance and music and a showcase of talent from contemporary artists, check out the new Fame movie.

New Fame Blu-ray special features include:

• Extended cut of the film with over 15 minutes of never-before-seen dance footage
• Deleted scenes
• Fame music video
• Character profiles and more
• Digital Copy for portable media players

“New” Fame Blu-ray Review by Neil of Movie Room Reviews

As a follow up to the new Blu-ray and DVD release of the Fame movie remake, the original classic Fame movie is being released on Blu-ray for the first time ever on January 26th thanks to Warner Home Video. Seven classes a day and a hot lunch. That’s what New York City’s High School for the Performing Arts guarantees. Stardom? That’s something the school’s teenage musicians, actors, dancers and dreamers strive for.

Fame sings the body electric, celebrating the growing-up process of honing talent, confronting realities, finding love, living life. Director Alan Parker brings an energetic style to the crisscrossing stories of students (including future Academy Award winner** Irene Cara, Paul McCrane (ER), Barry Miller (Saturday Night Fever) and two who returned in the later TV series, Gene Anthony Ray and Lee Curreri). Nominated for six Academy Awards,* Fame won Oscars for its dynamic score and title tune – and inspired a shoot-for-the-stars 2009 remake.

While young people and fans of contemporary dance are celebrating the remake of Fame, movie fans would likely appreciate the iconic nature of the original Fame movie that started the dance craze.  The storylines and the characters are a bit more engulfing in the original.  While it is cool that the film has been celebrated with an updated version, nothing can recreate the enthusiasm and compelling characters of the original Fame movie, now on Blu-ray for the first time.

Fame: The Original Movie Blu-ray Review by Neil of Movie Room Reviews