Spice World

Rating: 3/10 (7 July 2005)

I have been a huge fan of the Spice Girls since I was nine years old, I have listened to their songs thousands of times, and I was lucky enough to see them live at Wembley Stadium when they reunited (without Victoria) in 2019, so obviously I saw this movie at the cinema when I was a kid. Basically the Spice Girls: Melanie "Mel B" Brown aka Scary Spice, Emma Bunton aka Baby Spice, Melanie "Mel C" Chisholm aka Sporty Spice, Geri Halliwell (now Horner) aka Ginger Spice, and Victoria Beckham (then Adams) aka Posh Spice (all deservedly winners of the Razzie for Worst Actress, they were also nominated Worst New Star) are the biggest girl band in the UK and across the world. They have performed their latest single, "Too Much" (wrongly nominated the Razzie for Worst Original Song), but they have become tired of the burdens of fame and fortune. The girls' uptight tour manager, Clifford (Richard E. Grant), is becoming frequently annoyed by their lack of commitment to their scheduled appointments, and he is often pressured with calls from the head of the girls' record label, the cryptic and eccentric "Chief" (Razzie nominated Sir Roger Moore). Meanwhile, sinister newspaper owner Kevin McMaxford (Barry Humphries) wants to ruin the Spice Girls' reputation to sell more copies, so he dispatches photographer Damien (Richard O'Brien) to capture and record the girls' every move. Also stalking the girls is less threatening but more annoying documentary maker Piers Cuthbertson-Smyth (Alan Cumming), hoping to use them as subjects for his next project. Clifford, and his sympathetic assistant Deborah (Claire Rushbrook), are also trying to fend off over-eager Hollywood writers, Martin Barnfield (George Wendt) and Graydon (Mark McKinney), who relentlessly pitch absurd plot ideas for a feature film for the Spice Girls. The Spice Girls are preparing for a performance at the Royal Albert Hall, and meanwhile stick to a schedule of practising songs and routines, travelling in the Union Jack painted Spice Bus, and making public appearances. This means less time to themselves, including spending time with their pregnant best friend, Nicola (Naoko Mori), who is due to give birth soon. The stress and overwork culminate in a huge argument between Clifford and the girls, they storm out on the evening before their gig at the Albert Hall. The girls think back on their humble beginnings and their struggle to the top, they reunite outside the now-abandoned cafÃ© where they practiced during their childhood years, they reconcile, and decide to take Nicola out dancing. However, Nicola goes into labour at the nightclub and is rushed to the hospital, giving birth to a healthy baby girl. The Spice Girls have a run in with Damien, disguised as a delivery doctor, but after hitting his head, he realises the error of his ways, and goes after McMaxford, who is fired in a "Jacuzzi scandal". The girls' bus driver Dennis (Meat Loaf) goes missing, so Victoria drives the bus, and it is race against time to reach the Royal Albert Hall in time. There are many obstacles on the way, including a jump across Tower Bridge over the open gap, and Emma discovering a bomb underneath the bus. The Spice Girls make it for their performance, with thousands of fans in the audience, and watching live on television, as they open with "Spice Up Your Life". As the credits roll, the Spice Girls are talking to members of the film crew, until Mel C breaks the fourth wall, the girls talk to us (the audience), and discuss their film, just minutes before the bomb explodes on the bus. Also starring Jason Flemyng as Brad, Steven O'Donnell as Jess, Michael Barrymore as Mr. Step, Richard Briers as Bishop, Jennifer Saunders as Fashionable Woman, Hugh Laurie as Poirot, Stephen Fry as Judge, Peter Sissons, Sir Elton John, Jonathan Ross, Jools Holland as Musical Director, Neil Mullarkey as Barnaby, Dominic West as Photographer, Bill Paterson as Brian, Elvis Costello as Bartender, Bob Geldof, Bob Hoskins and Kevin McNally as Policeman. Despite their lack of acting skills, Mel B, Geri, Emma, Mel C, and Victoria are likeable, and do their best to spoof their nickname personalities, obviously they make up for it with their catchy songs, it is also fun to spot recognisable cameo guest stars. Featuring the songs "Wannabe", "Stop", "Spice Up Your Life", "Too Much", "Saturday Night Divas", "Never Give Up On The Good Times", "Do It", "Say You'll Be There", "2 Become 1", "Mama", "Who Do You Think You Are" and "Viva Forever". This film was made for two reasons, to cash in on the worldwide success of the Spice Girls brand, and an attempt to capture the same vibe that The Beatles, and Sir Cliff Richard brought in their films, it did do well at the box office, but critics and fans were less than impressed, you can maybe laugh at how silly it is, apart from the songs, a disappointing musical comedy. It was nominated the Razzie for Worst Picture, Worst Screen Couple for any combination of two characters, body parts or fashion accessories, Worst Screenplay, and Worst 'Musical' of Our First 25 Years. The Spice Girls were number 32 on The 100 Greatest Pop Culture Icons. Adequate!