Wezzo's DVD Reviews > Grease: 25th Ann. SE
Wezzo's DVD Reviews > Movies > Grease 25th Anniversary Special Edition
Grease 25th Anniversary Special Edition
Main Feature:
Is there anyone alive who doesn't know of Grease? The 70's hit set in the 50's, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John as the ultimate high-school couple? Well if not, you're missing out. This musical, with a little comedy and romance, and co-starring Stockard Channing, Didi Conn and Jeff Conaway, is really the ultimate musical of the last 30 years. The film wouldn't be complete without it's musical numbers though, most of which combine song and dance impeccably.
The story is of a couple (Travolta and N-John), who meet during summer. But when there is a change of plans, the female Sandy, stays on after the summer, and ends up going to Danny's school - where she discovers that Danny isn't actually who she thought. The film follows the ups and downs of the relationship, as well as the sub story of the annual car race between the "T-Birds", with Danny and his friends Kenickie, Sonny, Putzie and Doody, and a rival gang. The two stories compliment each other well, and make an otherwise good film great. Highly recommended. I'll leave you with Amazon.co.uk's synoposis:
"Grease was a phenomenal hit with its target teenage audience when it was released in 1977. The songs dominated the pop charts and brought heady success for its lead actors, John Travolta (Danny) and Olivia Newton-John (Sandy) despite the fact that--as with their energetic co-stars--their own teenage years were some way behind them. As they seize the chance to relive their schooldays, their verve and enthusiasm explodes from the screen. The real class, though, comes from Stockard Channing as feisty Rizzo and, in a couple of cameos, wisecracking silver screen actresses from yesteryear Eve Arden and Joan Blondel.
Based on the 1972 stage show and adding several new numbers, Grease is at heart a rites-of-passage movie with plenty of feel-good moments and a euphoric buzz. "You're the One That I Want", "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "Summer Nights" became the soundtrack for a generation of high-school students on the cusp of adulthood. Today, it looks like a pastiche of those 1950s Connie Francis rock & roll beach films. But the steady stream of double entendres and knowing body language render it more accessible to the less innocent late 1970s. It's overwhelming nostalgia for anyone in the vicinity of 40." 9/10
Audio:
An excellent high-quality DTS or DD5.1. The songs boom out excellently; a million times better than the VHS version, and gives the ultimate musical sensation. Astounding, brings the music to life excellently. Top marks! 10/10
Video:
A lovely 16:9 widescreen transfer; nice colour and depth, and no real grain or picture problems. The best it's ever looked. 8/10
Price:
Originally a rather overpriced £15-20, this can be picked up for a fiver online - great value, whichever way you look at it. 8/10
Extras:
For a celebratory special edition, there's little here in the way of extras - not even a commentary. To start with, the set includes a nice glossy songbook, with lyrics to ten of the most popular songs - a great touch. On the actual disc, the features are lacking though - we get the original, entertaining 2min theatrical trailer, and a mere 15 minute interview/featurette, which although entertaining, was made in 1998 for the 20th Anniversary VHS. Could do with so much more. 5/10
Packaging:
A lovely glossy pink box holds a slightly flimsy, but well-decorated, cardboard box, which holds the disc and the songbook. Good, good. 7/10
Overall:
A brilliant musical on a lacklustre disc with amazing audio. 77%
Family-Friendly Rating:
Guidance, there's some mild language and sex references.
~Wesley Mead, aka Wezzo
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