I saw this one multiple times in the theater when I was about seven. My big sister was in charge of watching me and she was a huge ONJ fan so I got drug to it quite often. I think I was forced to see it four times in one weekend! (GASP). Anyway, I survived the ordeal, but some people are convinced I should be in therapy.
Okay, I'll stop the kidding and get down to business with the review. Xanadu is not great cinema. It is, however, not a total waste. If nothing else, the soundtrack is excellent, and Olivia is smokin'!!! She plays a muse who is sent to inspire a down-on-his-luck artist. Olivia does fine with her role, and she gets to sing some pretty neat little songs along the way. Michael Beck is BADLY miscast as the artist. He did so well in The Warriors, but this film killed his career. After this, he went on to star in classics like Megaforce, Warlords of the 21st Century, and that bad TV show with Michael Pare. It's too bad because I think he's pretty talented.
The film also stars Gene Kelly in one of his last roles. Who knows why he agreed to be in this film, but he does very well with his character.
As I mentioned earlier, this movie has an exceptional soundtrack. It's half ONJ and half ELO, and there are some truly catchy tunes. The songs come to life in a series of music video-type scenes. Some of these are very well-done, others are laughable. I loved the scene where the muses come to life. There are some truly beautiful women on that wall. Look closely and you can spot AHNOLD's woman from the first Conan movie as one of the muses. The final dance numbers at the club are odd, but entertaining all at the same time. The worst scene in this movie by far is the one where they're trying to buy Gene Kelly some fancy clothes at some trendy store and a bad video sequence erupts. That scene is just indescribably awful!
This film was made during the rollerboogie craze of the early 80's. All the colors of the rainbow and then some are represented in the outfits people wear in this film. The special effects don't look so special today, but I'm sure they were cutting edge back then.
I'd recommend this film ONLY for fans of either Olivia Newton-John or ELO. Anyone else will absolutely hate it.
Since I like both artists, I'll be generous and give it 6 of 10 stars.
So sayeth the Hound.
Okay, I'll stop the kidding and get down to business with the review. Xanadu is not great cinema. It is, however, not a total waste. If nothing else, the soundtrack is excellent, and Olivia is smokin'!!! She plays a muse who is sent to inspire a down-on-his-luck artist. Olivia does fine with her role, and she gets to sing some pretty neat little songs along the way. Michael Beck is BADLY miscast as the artist. He did so well in The Warriors, but this film killed his career. After this, he went on to star in classics like Megaforce, Warlords of the 21st Century, and that bad TV show with Michael Pare. It's too bad because I think he's pretty talented.
The film also stars Gene Kelly in one of his last roles. Who knows why he agreed to be in this film, but he does very well with his character.
As I mentioned earlier, this movie has an exceptional soundtrack. It's half ONJ and half ELO, and there are some truly catchy tunes. The songs come to life in a series of music video-type scenes. Some of these are very well-done, others are laughable. I loved the scene where the muses come to life. There are some truly beautiful women on that wall. Look closely and you can spot AHNOLD's woman from the first Conan movie as one of the muses. The final dance numbers at the club are odd, but entertaining all at the same time. The worst scene in this movie by far is the one where they're trying to buy Gene Kelly some fancy clothes at some trendy store and a bad video sequence erupts. That scene is just indescribably awful!
This film was made during the rollerboogie craze of the early 80's. All the colors of the rainbow and then some are represented in the outfits people wear in this film. The special effects don't look so special today, but I'm sure they were cutting edge back then.
I'd recommend this film ONLY for fans of either Olivia Newton-John or ELO. Anyone else will absolutely hate it.
Since I like both artists, I'll be generous and give it 6 of 10 stars.
So sayeth the Hound.