Grease (1978)

Riding the strange '50s nostalgia wave that swept through America during the late 1970s (caused by TV shows like Happy Days and films like American Graffiti), Grease became not only the word in 1978, but also a box-office smash and a cultural phenomenon. Twenty years later, this entertaining film adaptation of the Broadway musical received another successful theatrical release, which included visual remastering and a shiny new Dolby soundtrack. In this 2002 DVD release, Grease lovers can also now see it in the correct 2:35 to 1 Panavision aspect ratio, and see retrospective interviews with cast members and director Randal Kleiser. All these stylistic touches are essential to the film's success. Without the vibrant colors, unforgettably campy and catchy tunes (like "Greased Lightning," "Summer Nights," and "You're the One That I Want"), and fabulously choreographed, widescreen musical numbers, the film would have to rely on a silly, cliché-filled plot that we've seen hundreds of times. As it is, the episodic story about the romantic dilemmas experienced by a group of graduating high school seniors remains fresh, fun, and incredibly imaginative.

The young, animated cast also deserves a lot of credit, bringing chemistry and energy to otherwise bland material. John Travolta, straight from his success in Saturday Night Fever, knows his sexual star power and struts, swaggers, sings, and dances appropriately, while Olivia Newton-John's portrayal of virgin innocence is the only decent acting she's ever done. And then there's Stockard Channing, spouting sexual double-entendres as Rizzo, the bitchy, raunchy leader of the Pink Ladies, who steals the film from both of its stars. Ignore the sequel at all costs. --Dave McCoy Amazon.com essential video

Heavy on the Grease

Grease will always hold a special place in my heart, it is part of my childhood and holds many nostalgic memories for me. Saw the movie when I was 8, was given the soundtrack on vinyl (as well as Saturday Nite Fever) for christmas. Played it on my ladybug turntable, and sang along to every song with my friends, 1978. The only way to truely watch Grease is on "full screen". U just can't enjoy it any other way. I bought it on widescreen and was totally horrified. It just doesn't have that same effect. I later purchased the full screen edition, and again I was in Grease heaven. Grease is one of the best movies of all time. Olivia Newton John and John Travolta are fantastic. This is John Travolta's best movie to date, I don't care what anybody says. Grease will make u laugh, sing and cry. it is just an all around, feel good movie that cannot be compared to any other. Ask yourself this, what would you rather watch, Grease or Gone With The Wind? It's a no brainer, Grease is the word. I worked with Stockard Channing once and I just had to tell her I loved her in Grease and that it was an honour to work with her. At least I got to tell one of the cast members how much I love the movie and how people still remember it to this day. This film is loved and praised by many people and rightfully so. July 4, 2008

One small problem...

OK, fun songs, cute acting, generally a good time. But has anyone noticed that the moral of this story seems to say that you should change yourself into something you're not in order to please someone else? Not sure that's a message I'd want my kids to hear. June 2, 2008

SHOO BOP!

What american would not love JOHN TRAVLOTA and OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN in "GREASE"!! When I first saw this movie I was only a kid and I knew all the songs and I actually thought high school was gonna be like RYDELL HIGH! May 7, 2008

One of my all time favorites

30 years and I never seem to get tired of this movie. This movie inspired so many plain Janes and the soundtrack is just good fun to sing a long to. John Travolta was handsome and cool and Olivia Newton John was just adorable. Rah. Rah. Rydel High!!! April 22, 2008

music quality lacks

Well of course Grease is a great movie, so no probs there... But when it gets to a song, it sounds like a bad studio recorded version-- so you're somewhat taken out of the moment/magic of the movie. Maybe it was hard to convert to a DVD?? March 28, 2008

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