Grease: Rockin' Rydell Edition – DVD Review

Film, Reviews



Credit: DVDTown.com

Director:

Randal Kleiser

Starring:

John Travolta ………. Danny
Olivia Newton-John ………. Sandy
Stockard Channing ………. Rizzo
Jeff Conaway ………. Kenickie
Barry Pearl ………. Doody
Michael Tucci ………. Sonny LaTierri
Kelly Ward ………. Putzie
Didi Conn ………. Frenchy
Jamie Donnelly ………. Jan
Dinah Manoff ………. Marty Maraschino
Eve Arden ………. Principal McGee
Frankie Avalon ………. Teen Angel
Joan Blondell ………. Vi
Edd Byrnes ………. Vince Fontaine
Sid Caesar ………. Coach Calhoun
Alice Ghostly ………. Mrs. Murdoc
Dody Goodman ………. Blanche
Sha-Na-Na ………. Johnny Casino & The Gamblers

The Movie

Grease could be the most well-known musical today. The fact that it was made in 1978 doesn’t matter much. The movie holds up rather well, 25 years later. It’s still the movie that made John Travolta a superstar and the reason everyone knows the name, Olivia Newton-John. It’s also the reason other actors in similar movies can bust out in song at any moment and not be laughed at.

Grease is a love story set in the 1950’s between Danny (Travolta) and Sandy (Newton-John). Sandy is the “good girl” from Australia and Danny is the cool “greaser” from America. They happen to run into each other on an American beach, while on summer vacation. You should know what happens from here. They fall in love, but the summer ends and it’s time for them to go back home. They say goodbye and think they won’t see each other again. Fate doesn’t see it that way, though. Sandy gets transferred to Rydell High in California. That happens to be the same high school Danny goes to. A big coincidence, but fate works in funny ways like that. The problem is Danny and Sandy can’t be together here. Danny belongs to the coolest gang in school called “The T-Birds”. Meanwhile, Sandy becomes friends with “The Pink Ladies”. Danny wears black leather and Sandy wears pink. As we all know, leather and pink don’t go together. Hence, why Danny and Sandy can’t be together.

This is a musical and it’s a fun time for all involved. The “young” cast brings a lot of energy to a boring and generic love story. It made stars out of the main members of the cast as I mentioned before. There is no doubt that the singing and dancing in this movie is the best part of the film. They do break out in song at any moment as you might expect, but the songs are good enough that it doesn’t get too annoying.

Another good thing about this film is the message it has for kids. Lets forget the fact that the actors playing these high-school students don’t look like teenagers at all. They look at least 21, but nowhere near the ages of 16 or 17 they are supposed to be playing. If you can forget that, though, there is a message that teenagers can learn from this film. It’s not always about what group you hang out with in high school. There are the “cool kids”, “jocks”, “greasers”, “cheerleaders”, etc. in high school. However, what you have inside of you counts much more than what you look like on the outside.

There has been other versions of this DVD released in the past few years. What makes this release and this edition different? You get to “sing-along” with all your favorite Grease songs. You also get to learn some of the dance moves behind the famous dance sequences. There are also newer comments from John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, and memorable moments from the 25th Anniversary DVD launch party. Basically, this movie gets the High School Musical “extra” treatment. That’s ironic, since High School Musical took the same plot as Grease and made it for a younger crowd with a few tweaks this year.

If you are a fan of musicals or John Travolta, then you have seen this movie around 10 times or more. You probably know the songs by heart and it’s probably one of your “all-time favorite” movies. If you are not a fan of any of the above two, then you probably STILL have seen this movie or at least parts of it. It has become a cultural phenomenon and was a box-office hit worldwide. Grease is definitely the word, but how much you like that word will depend on how much you like musicals and/or John Travolta.

Score: 7/10

The Video:

The video is given in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen color that is enhanced for 16:9 TVs. This was made for widescreen to recreate the first time you saw the movie on the “big screen” or for you to watch this movie for the first time on the “big screen”. The colors are bright and the dancing is great.

The Audio:

The audio included is available in either English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound, English 2.0 Surround sound, or French 2.0 Surround sound. There are English subtitles available as well. No problems here either. The singing is loud and clear.

The Extras:

Audio Commentary
This is the director, Randal Kleiser, and choreographer, Patricia Birch, talking about the movie while it plays. Since she is the choreographer, Patricia talks about the musical numbers and how they were created among other things. I always enjoy these, so this is no exception.

Rydell Sing-Along Feature
You get to “sing-along” to your favorite songs from the movie. You can jump right into the scenes where they sing specific songs. No time to wait and watch the movie develop. Jump right in and follow along. Lets karaoke!

The Time, The Place, The Motion: Remembering Grease
This is various members of the cast and crew talking about how the movie came about from the play and all of that. Some of the reasons John Travolta was casted as well among other things. A behind-the-scenes featurette, more or less. This is not all new material, though. Some of this is from 1998.

Deleted/Extended/Alternate Scenes
There are 11 of these and you really don’t need to watch them, but for major fans of the movie they probably would be fun to watch. They are all in black-and-white.

DVD Launch Party
This is a collection of memorable moments from 25th Anniversary DVD launch party. This was back in 2002. Most of the cast returned and sang some of the same songs from the movie among other things. A highlight reel basically with everyone talking about the movie. Everyone wants to take a picture of John!

Grease Memories from John and Olivia
The same kind of stuff from above, except this is just John and Olivia talking about the film. This is basically part two of the above extra. It’s great just watching these two talk about the movie together, though.

The Moves Behind the Music
We learn all about the dancing in the movie. Choreographer, Patricia Birch, was the key to the whole movie. The singing and dancing were one of the most important parts of the movie. The process behind how some of the dance numbers were created are shown as well.

Thunder Roadsters
We learn all about the cars in the movie. That’s about it. If you want to know all about the “Greased Lightning” car, this is the place to go.

John Travolta and Allan Carr “Grease Day” Interview
This is back in 1978 after the movie was released. Interesting to see John in his younger days as he talks about the movie.

Olivia Newton-John and Robert Stigwood “Grease Day” Interview
Same as above, except it’s Olivia and a new interviewer.

Unique Packaging
I don’t usually count the packaging as an extra, but this edition of Grease is different. The DVD fits inside of a miniature leather jacket with silver studs, a zipper, an embroidered “GREASE” logo on the pocket area, and the “T-Birds” logo printed on the back of the jacket. It really is a nice way to present this DVD as it stands out from all the other DVDs in your collection.

Score: 8/10

InsidePulse’s Ratings for Grease
CATEGORY
RATING
(OUT OF 10)
THE MOVIE

7
THE EXTRAS

8
REPLAY VALUE

7
OVERALL
7
(NOT AN AVERAGE)

The Inside Pulse
This is probably the ULTIMATE modern musical. If you are a fan of musicals, it’s a must-buy. No doubt about that as it is one of the best musicals around. However, if you don’t like musicals, then I could only recommend a rental at best. If you are a John Travolta, you’ll want to add this one to your collection for sure. If not, then pass on this film. If you haven’t seen the movie yet, then at least take a look as it’s a fun movie that can pass the time if you have to watch it or just want to know what all the fuss is about.

I'm not embarrassed to say that my favorite television show of all-time is The O.C. I live by the motto "you can't fight fate!" More importantly, I watch WAY too much television, but I do so for the benefit of everyone reading this now. So to my mom and my wife, I say thanks for reading! To everyone else that might stumble across this, remember TiVo should be your best friend!