Staying Alive (1983)

WOW!!!

First off, John Travolta looks stunning in this movie. He is very fit and trim. Finola Hughes is gorgeous and very elegant. Cynthia Rhodes is a knockout and portrays her character, Jackie, with so much emotion. I think this is a fantastic movie. Since I was too young to see Sat Night Fever when it first came out, I didn't really understand all the ins/outs of Tony Manero. Having seen SNF as an adult, I really didn't like it and I thought that Staying Alive could have stood on its own. The plot was good, the dancing was fantastic, as was the music, and the actors were all really good. I think this is an all around excellent movie and it is absolutely one of my favorites. I actually watch this one quite a bit. July 31, 2008

Good Sequel for the most part

This film was a good follow-up to "Saturday Night Fever", but I believe that expectations were to high on this one, & that always dooms a film to failure in the court of public opinion, I remember seeing this in theaters in 1983, but I also remember "Return Of the Jedi", "Vacation", "Risky Business", "Psycho II", "Twilight Zone(Movie)", & that other dance movie "Flashdance" also playing in the same theater, with this kind of competition, how could "Staying Alive" stay well, um, Alive, had this one been a Christmas film like SNF, then who knows, however, this one works & Travolta takes the Tony character a step futher with Cynthia Rhodes as his potential love interest, Rhodes really shines here, & Fiona Hughes does as the woman with an attitude, & Steve Inwood shines as the Broadway director, he acts just like the type you would expect to see directing a Broadway play, there is no Disco here, but this was 1983, this one is on par with the time, how people liked "Flashdance" & not this one is anyone's guess, but once you get past the negativity, one can see this film for what it is, a continuing story of Tony Manero. March 21, 2008

Stayin' Alive

Not an academy award candidate but didn't buy this film for those reasons. As the sequel to Saturday Night Fever, it's a must if you're a Travolta or dance film fan!! The entertainment value is well worth the price. I got the 30th Anniversary Saturday Night Fever set (with both films) and am very happy with my purchase. February 22, 2008

Could have been great,but......

"Staying Alive",despite the fact that it always will be an unneccessary sequel,does have strong potential. With the note that "Saturday Night Fever" ended on and how much times had changed in 1983(compared to 1977,when SNF was filmed and released),you would think that "Staying Alive" would be a fine offer.

Yet,"Staying Alive" remains one of the most lackluster sequels of all time,if not the most. In "Staying Alive",John Travolta is back as Tony Manero. This time,we find Tony Manero being close to thirty,stuggling to make it as a Broadway dancer and,at the same time,trying to get his life together from regrets of his past decisions and his two love interests(Cynthia Rhodes' character of Jackie and Finola Hughes' character of Laura). A strong plot,right?

Wrong!!!! A decent plot that,if used carefully and creatively,could have made "Staying Alive" one of the best sequels of all time. Throughout most of "Staying Alive"(the film actually does pick up--except it picks up when it is too late),viewers are given scenes with dialogue that literally leaves most of the film's scenes incomplete. It is dry dialogue beyond the meaning of being dry,and makes the infamous Razzie awards seem like a hobby. On the other side,"Staying Alive" is derogatively boring. I give Sylvester Stallone credit for experimenting with a so-called "other side of drama" that the "Rocky" films never met. Yet--to put it clear--a KISS fan from the 70's who burned every Bee Gees record ever made could have been hired to direct "Staying Alive" and would have left with a better understanding. No joke.

The other dissapointing side of "Staying Alive" is,with the exception of Tony Manero's mother,you never find out about what happened to the other "Saturday Night Fever" characters. It may be obvious. But,it makes "Staying Alive" incomplete and unorganized,feeding the film's negative sides to the bone--and bad isn't the word I am looking for.

Other than "Staying Alive" being an interesting documentation of what the early 80's was like once disco was over and having strong and catchy music to it,it is an utter and lazy stinker. If you are interested,borrow it from a friend,otherwise,don't spend a penny. January 1, 2008

Staying Alive

This movie was fabulous except for the Bees Gees Staying Alive disco music that happened in the end.
I loved Tommy Faragher's music.
I can't believe no record company had enough sense to give this guy record deal back in 1983. The producer shouldv'e made the soundtrack of his music, so in other words get him to write all the songs and sing them.
Tommy Faragher was in the movie singing Look Out For Number #1.
There shouldv'e been more of Cynthia Rhodes dancing because she is a professional dancer that knows all there is to know about ballet, jazz, and tap.
September 13, 2007

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