"It doesn't matter if you win or lose, it's what you do with your dancin' shoes."
Review: Grease
An Augustus Rating of 8/10
For
today's review, we step back into the 1950s, where love, friendship and singing
dominate Rydell High School.
Grease was an
American musical directed in 1978 by Randal Kleiser. The film surrounds two
teenagers, Sandy and Danny, who are lovers in their Californian high school. It
stars John Travolta as Danny Zuko, Olivia Newton-John as Sandy Olsen, Stockard
Channing as Betty Rizzo and Jeff Conaway as Kenickie.
Sandy and Danny
meet over the summer before their senior year. Sandy is originally from
Australia and came to visit relatives in America. The two fall passionately in
love; unfortunately, their love had to end as the summer passed and reality had
returned. They separate, believing to never see one another again.
Danny Zuko goes to
Rydell High, and belongs to a group of greasers by the name of the
T-Birds. They're the "badasses" of the movie and play by their own rules.
They wear leather jackets, smoke a pack a day and always have their hair
slicked back with a gallon of hair gel. When he is with his friends, Danny acts
tough and confident. Only when he is with Sandy does his true, loving
personality come out.
Sandy's family has
decided to stay in California and enroll her in one of the local high schools,
Rydell High. Sandy, being new, is very shy and doesn't know anyone. She meets a
girl, Frenchy, who is instantly friendly and warmhearted. Frenchy is a part of
a girl's group, The Pink Ladies.
Danny and Sandy are
oblivious to each other until the two groups meet up. At first, they are
ecstatic to see one another, until Danny realizes his friends are boggled by
his sudden behaviour. He immediately puts on a "macho" man persona
and hurts Sandy's feelings.
Grease theme song by the Bee Gees
The movie circulates
around Sandy and Danny's relationship. Throughout the story, they let their
love blossom. A sub plot between Rizzo (leader of The Pink Ladies) and Kenickie
(T-birds) identifies the hardships of love, sex and friendship teenagers face
within their own relationship.
This story is
illustrated mostly in song (hence, musical!) with 26 hits. About nine songs did
not appear in the movie although were credited in the soundtrack. This movie grossed
over $8 million in its opening weekend, ranking #2 at the box office. It is
ranked the #1 highest-grossing musical in the United States.
So
kick back, slick your hair and pop in this movie. With its catchy songs,
memorable characters and stylish pants, Grease
will make a musical lover out of anyone!
- Augustus
