Plot: What’s it about?
With the success of Grease there was bound to be a sequel. Granted, this was twenty years ago and sequels were generally only made for their very successful predecessors. Grease was one of those movies. But gone are John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John as they’ve been replaced with Maxwell Caulfield and Michelle Pfeiffer. Not that it’s a bad thing. This film was one that I grew up with, as I was a bit too young to watch the original. Yes, all of the corny songs are those (at one time) I knew by heart and I can quote most of the lines of dialogue from the movie as well (“I’ve got a rep to protect…”, “I want a Cool Rider…”) and they seemingly go on and on. It had been a few years, ok ten, since I’ve really sat down and watched the movie and I’ve got to say that there’s a reason that the Internet Movie Database ranks it as one of their Bottom 100 movies of all time. It’s not that good. Maybe I’ve grown up or maybe I’ve seen too many good movies and am spoiled by them. In any case, I still got a kick out of a few scenes; but this movie is not at all like it’s predecessor. Not at all…
But since this review is to persuade you to purchase the DVD (or at least rent it), I’ll go through the plot to enlighten any of those unsuspecting viewers who want to view the film in question. Gone is Danny and in is Michael Carrington (Maxwell Caulfield). Michael is an exchange student staying with Frenchy (Didi Conn, one of the very few characters who returned from the first film). Michael is instantly smitten when he meets Stephanie (Michelle Pfeiffer) and has it in his mind that he’ll do anything to get her. Michael, obviously, sticks out like a sore thumb and he figures that in order to win her over; he’ll need to buy a bike (“motorcycle” to us common folk), dress in black and join the ever-popular T-Birds. Like the original, this preaches all the wrong morals in that it’s not what’s inside that matters, only how you look, dress and who you hang around with that make you ever so cool. Ah, the movies of the 70’s and 80’s…
And naturally Stephanie is oblivious to Michael’s yearnings when he’s Michael. It’s not until he dons his “Cool Rider” (which, no doubt, inspired the song) garb that makes Stephanie all hot and bothered. Michael also has to contend with the T-Birds, led by Johnny Nogarelli (Adrian Zmed) and his group of low-lifes (but which does include Christopher McDonald, so that’s always a positive to any movie). Will Danny, er, Michael and Stephanie ever get together? Who knows…Grease 2 plays less like a sequel and more like a spin off. Hardly any of the same characters are back and though there are some fairly entertaining songs throughout, it’s fun to mainly sit back and laugh at them as opposed to the joy of the first movie. This may well be a movie that most of the actors would like to cross off their respective resumes; but we all make mistakes…For those interested, the wait is over (and, believe it or not, I’ve received some emails asking about this title) and Grease 2 is now on the format. All is well?
Video: How does it look?
Just like the original, Grease 2 is presented in a 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer that left me nearly speechless. I wasn’t expecting much here, but Paramount has been delivering some pretty good-looking transfers as of late. I suppose for what their catalog titles lack in supplements, they make up for in picture and sound. Some of the scenes have an oversaturated look to them, but for the most part there is not a lot of edge enhancement. Colors and fleshtones appear natural and the black levels are right on cue. The movie mixes equally day and night scenes and all appear to look better than expected. This is, by no means, a transfer that compares to some of them out there, but for the film in question and it’s age I was duly impressed.
Audio: How does it sound?
This might sound a bit weird, but I’ve often wondered (since the advent of DVD) what “Cool Rider” would sound like in Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Well, my wait is finally over. The verdict? Not that bad. The re-mastered Dolby Digital 5.1 track does sound a bit dated and “hollow” at times, but it was actually a lot better-sounding that I would have thought. Dialogue has a nice natural feel to it and though the surrounds don’t get used a lot, there are some pretty good scenes involving, you guessed it, motorcycle chases that make them kick in. On the whole, it’s not up to the par that today’s soundtracks set, but it’s not supposed to be. Viewers will be impressed and if the re-master isn’t your cup of tea, then the original Dolby Surround is included as well.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Not one single extra has been included on this DVD, unless you count the two soundtracks (Dolby 5.1 and Surround). I don’t.
