Fame (2009) Critic Reviews

Much of the movie has a structureless, documentary feeling to it, which is good and should have been pushed further.Read the full review

A film that’s largely a raw, uplifting love letter to creativity in every possible form.Read the full review

This new Fame, whitewashed for the kids, leaps into a catchy rhythm at the start.Read the full review

A sad reflection of the new Hollywood, where material is sanitized and dumbed down for a hypothetical teen market that is way too sophisticated for it. It plays like a dinner theater version of the original.Read the full review

While the movie suffers from a surfeit of flash, it nonetheless offers the undeniable power of young performers pursuing art at peak dexterity.Read the full review

Fame offers slick entertainment with some exuberance, but it's devoid of soul or heart.Read the full review

It’s not a good sign when the first few minutes of a movie about singing, dancing, rapping, video-camera-wielding teenagers reminds you of a certain grimy horror franchise.Read the full review

It's almost laughably bland and watered-down in its desire to appeal to the widest possible audience. It won't succeed in that goal, but it has enough pizzazz to captivate undemanding tweeners.Read the full review

The teachers (including original cast member Debbie Allen as school principal) turn out to be the best part of the show.Read the full review