Lunk-Headed and Mindlessly Idiotic as Well as Unintentionally Shocking Material For a Family Film. But Hey, It's 'Grease' and You Gotta Love It

Rating: 8/10 (12 July 2012)

every time i see 'Grease' i'm always disturbed by it somewhat. where there are certain bad movies that are unintentionally funny and humorous, 'Grease' manages to be unintentionally kind of shocking and crude, and a little offensive.
i mean jeez. you would think that John Water's, who directed one of the most offensive films of all time which was the infamous 'Pink Flamingos', would have made the more shocking film with 'Hairspray'. not so, Water's 'Hairspray' is far more thoughtful, intelligent and morally correct than the simple minded decadence of 'Grease'.
and it's a little disturbing that a family film like 'Grease' is unaware of it sleaziness. i mean John Travolta turns down Stockard Channing's advancements by saying he "doesn't like sloppy seconds". omg that's a porn term. also the "Sandra Dee" spoof goes beyond simple ribald teasing into hardcore cynicism and reckless promiscuity. i'm not sure kids should be exposed to that. this film also encourages smoking and drinking by juveniles.
i suppose the juvenile recklessness would be even more questionable if any of these actors even looked like they were in high school. i mean Stockard Channing as a high school senior is really stretching it. all the actors here look like they are pushing the big 3-0. at least in John Water's original 'Hairspray' movie the kids were between sixteen and eighteen which was far more believable. i mean 'Grease' gives a "double entendre" to saying "high school seniors".
also the musical numbers often look like adolescent "jiffy pop" versions of Busby Berkley musicals. the musical number "Beauty School Drop Out" with Frankie Avalon also comes off as a little scary and weird.
do i like this messy, musical mayhem movie? well actually yes. i think 'Grease' is a lot of hokey, cheesy fun. if not a little raw around the edges. but it's vulgar, crudity is part of why 'Grease' is amusing.
mostly the day is saved by a couple of things. first of all John Travolta and Olivia Newton John are tremendous here. two of the most captivating musical performers ever photographed in Hollywood film. i mean you can't stop watching both of them because of their strong natural talent and presence. second, 'Grease' is a mediocre stage play and musical, it could not have been brought off with out the self assured compentency of director Randall Kleiser. Randall Kleiser was one of Hollywood's best "stock" directors and he always knows what he's doing with a film. Kleiser has a good sense of focus and more than likely this film would have seemed rambling and pointless without him.
with Travolta, Newton-John, and director Randall Kleiser aboard, this ride works out to be smooth and winning success. despite a little wear and tear on the shock absorbers. i didn't particularly like 'Grease' when it first came out. i thought it was kind of stupid and corny. but it was a youth phenomenon and a smash hit with my generation, and for some reason i ended up going back to the movies three times to see it (mostly dragged there by other kids). as the years progress i find i like musicals better and appreciate what a sensation 'Grease' was.
one more note on this film's morals. particularly the ending. if you are a young person and you get hooked up with this monster musical movie, i wouldn't take this film's advice and go changing yourself to appease the opposite sex. especially some good for nothing greaser boy. i hardly doubt becoming a trashy tart will improve your sex life. with that said have fun. 'Grease' is all about fun. just remember that smoking can be hazardous to your health as well as other kinds of behaviour.