I'll be the first to say that it didn't come close to the original. We all knew it wouldn't going in, but it was an ok movie. Stop being so defensive of the original and making it out like this movie was pure sh*t when it wasn't. It was a decent remake that didn't live up to the original, but it wasn't horrible.
shareThe songs sounded like they were being sung by the cast of Glee: wimpy, lifeless, pudding-smooth performances that were utterly inappropriate for Rocky Horror. Ever hear Andy Williams's version of "Blueberry Hill"? That's what this reminded me of.
shareYes indeed. Actually the Glee version was better.
shareI think the Glee tribute was based on the Rocky Horror's message was don't be afraid of your feelings, follow your dreams and be yourself. As Mercedes wanted to for once be the main singer in the performance and volunteered to be Frank-N-Furter so she got to live her dream.
When the original came out it shocked a lot of professional movie critics, they felt odd watching it and didn't understand the taboo nature expressed in it.
In 2016 sexuality is openly discussed as we are all connected to the online web. There is no shock horror value of seeing two guys kiss, a guy dressing up as a woman etc.
As someone said in an earlier post the remake/tribute stripped the original of all the features of what fans loved.
In what I mean is the original 70s movie most of the cast were the original cast of the London or US stage production. Who played their roles for many performances on stage. So they could slip into characters at will and that is why they all had such great chemistry on screen. (I'm pretty sure Tim Curry wouldn't have tried to sit on top of Richard O'Brien's shoulders so in Sword of Demociles if he wasn't comfortable.)
As for Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon they were not aware of the stage play of Rocky Horror, they just got a script from their agents and Susan Sarandon just auditioned with "Happy Birthday". Hence why Susan and Barry worked so well in the original they didn't know what was involved with the storyline, they were young and naïve just like Brad and Janet.
As for this remake/tribute the cast knew RHPS very well it is a cult classic, they knew the story and the characters however on their performance it was a bunch of actors who were out dancing/acting and singing each other. There was to much going on and unnecessary people added into the mix that didn't need to be there such as the back up singers and open house band.
joise is correct about having the 1975's 90% original cast of stage veterans making the film as perfect as it was, the ensemble chemistry that is already there. Unfortunately too many musical adaptions forget about that and replace the stage stars with a bankable screen star. Sad that people work their azzes off for months and years in a Broadway hit and then get cast aside for a lead actress who needs her singing dubbed! (Julie Andrews v. Audrey Hepburn in "My Fair Lady") But that and many other examples just proves what they did here this week, think they can stunt-cast their way through a musical production, experience not necessary.
I agree with you James :)
When Rocky Horror came out many of the cast(for some this was the first time they were in a movie or had a large role on screen) were complete unknowns in Hollywood. They worked their way to become famous after Rocky Horror.
It is indeed sad that for hit movies or remakes they put in many big name stars to pull off their movie/tv show etc.
I showed my husband the remake's Time Warp (he hadn't seen the remake) and the first thing he blurted out was "This new Janet is not fragile, distressed or seem phased by it. The original Janet was innocent and easily shocked but tried to be polite by what she saw. Why are the dancers like they are from Thriller? It's not as cool as the original."
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Admit it, it wasn't that good, either.
There were parts I was wrinkling up my nose in distaste and cringing.
Rocky Horror is my feel-good movie. If I'm feeling down I'll pop it in the DVD and play it and sing along with the songs.
Frank had a very mercurial personality. One minute he could be nice and then turn on you on a dime. He really had fun toying with Brad and Janet. He put so much personality in the performance of Sweet Transvestite.
There also seemed to be a bit of a comraderie between Frank, Riff-Raff, Magenta and Columbia.
The staging of Eddie's Teddy was so weird In the movie when Scott mentions Eddie's letter Frank, Riff and Magenta are worried what he revealed. It just made no sense to phase Riff and Magenta out and phase Brad and Janet into it. They had no investment over what Eddie wrote to Scott.
I thought Laverne Cox was playing Frank as a man after singing Sweet Tranvestite but then near the end they kept calling her SHE.
Rocky in the movie was adorable and innocent. This one not so much.
A good remake keeps the essence of the original and they kind of threw it out the window.
I generally love Adam Lambert but as Eddie he just didn't work. As many have suggested, he might have made a good Frank.
What they did to the Time Warp was criminal. The original version made you want to get up and dance, this version made you wrinkle your nose and wonder WTF are they doing?