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RATING:  
SINGAPORE : Don't you just hate it when Hollywood takes one of your beloved childhood movies and "reinvents" it for a new generation of snotty teens?
I was almost too afraid to watch director Kevin Tancharoen's reimagining of "Fame" - possibly the best coming-of-age song-and-dance flick of all time.
It could have been because of my biased, sentimental waves of nostalgia. It could also have had something to do with Tancharoen being in his 20s - barely old enough to remember the original.
You can imagine my surprise when this craftily updated version for High School Musical-ers actually somewhat lives up to its glorious predecessor.
Perhaps it's Tancharoen's lauded background in dance and choreography, having worked with Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and 'N Sync. Maybe the corny but affecting story about a bunch of talented kids fighting to live out their dreams just doesn't get old.
The plot is pretty much the same, save for the introduction of new characters, new issues and new songs by new voices (Naturi Naughton and Asher Book are standouts), and a fresh new crop of eye candy.
Sure, it's lacking the raw grittiness, depth of character and grounded authenticity that was so palpable in the original, but this isn't the 1980s, and "Fame" 2009 is more interested in putting on a show.
The faculty roster boasts the sole returning "Fame" alum Debbie Allen as principal, and Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally and Bebe Neuwirth add much appreciated gravitas.
Fame has every clichéd portrait of coming-of-age anxiety in the book, but its slick exuberance is exactly what you'd expect of fame itself in this era of celebrity. Well-manicured instant gratification that is a whole of fun.
- TODAY/rs
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