When this movie came out, I never wanted to see it. It never looked like a movie I would waste any money or even time on. Musicals are already not my ultimate cup-of-tea, and especially not one as cheesy and bubbly as this one. I am not a huge fan of Grease, I mean, I know it’s kind of a musical icon and the songs are played in every high school dance team’s routine, so when I heard about this movie, I wasn’t thrilled…

…my expectations were RIGHT ON! This movie was cheese to the max! From the very start of the movie as the main character, played very averagely by newcomer Nikki Blonsky, is walking or running or skipping (I’m still not sure which mode she used) to school, she breaks out into song the entire way to the bus stop (which she of course misses due to her incessant singing). Who sings while going to school? Most teenagers I know are sleeping on their way to school. The one positive note from the first scene is that the song is sung very well by Nikki and the harmonies are catchy and poppy and in fact, though sad to say, I found myself singing “Good Morning Baltimore” at work on Monday morning.

It’s not a movie I am going to remember or even want to see again. Throughout the entire movie, I could not get over the fact that John Travolta was playing a woman in a fat-suit the whole time. That thought creeped me out every time I would hear him/her (argghh) speak, which by the way, was a very odd Baltimore accent. It sounded almost like Lily Tomlin channeling Ed Sullivan through very restrictive prosthetics. If that character didn’t exist, I might have liked the movie more. Why?! Just find a plus-sized lady to fulfill that role, why do you have to use a man in a woman suit??

I think the cynic inside of me is fighting to write a scathing review of such a mainstream bubble-gum movie-musical and although I wouldn’t ever watch it again, I can’t say I hated every minute of it. The songs are catchy and poppy, the colors are bright and bold, and it is nice to see a “plus-sized” actress get the lead and actually come out the heroine without having to debase herself too much. Overall, I was mildly entertained for a Sunday afternoon movie. It’s not one that I would pay for again, or even brag about seeing, but if my wife wants to watch again with me, I will.

Content Warning: This movie is rated PG for language, some suggestive content and momentary teen smoking. This movie, although bubbly and innocent, has some pretty intense sexual innuendos. The young ones won’t get it and will enjoy the songs and colors, but if you are a teenager, you will definitely understand the sexual undertones. That was a very surprising element to the movie.

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