memories of Grease in 1998 (20th anniversary re-release)

in March 1998 Grease had its 20th anniversary re-release in cinemas which was kind of a big deal and made decent box office (probably bc by then Travolta was this huge star again due to Pulp Fiction and then Face/Off etc).

id never seen Grease before and was on abit of a Travolta high after Face/Off late 97 so went to see it with my dad and got quite into it and even bought the anniversary Grease cd. i was studying film history at the time so to my film analysing mind i think i was aware it was made in '78 as like a retro feel good look back at the 50s in light of all the current American stuff going on in late 70s (obviously Happy Days was made bc of this too, and the huge success of Star Wars and Superman has been frequently attributed to the optimistic retro look back at happier times in light of Vietnam/Watergate), Travolta as Danny seemed a homage/combination of young Elvis/Dean/Brando and their iconic 50s imagery. (the fact Elvis had died just the year before mustve had an impact on the success of Grease in 78). Also watching it for first time in 98 there was also a strong Back to The Future vibe (which funny to think only came out just 7y after Grease)

anyway 20y seemed a long time to me then ..now its coming up for 45!! crazy how time can slip away if u not careful and realise its going by fast. and with the death of ONJ get that feeling even more so. Makes me think of how 1978 was also the year of Superman and so many of the cast and crew have since gone:(only Jimmy Olsen, Lex and the 3 villains left)