I always shudder when Hollywood comes up with the idea to remake an older film.

As most moviegoers know, remakes seldom come anywhere close to equaling the success of the original. Still, I held out hope that the recent redoing of the 1980 film Fame would be one of those rare exceptions, since the trailer made it look somewhat appealing.

As in the first version, the plot revolves around the experiences of a group of gifted teens in a high school for the performing arts, from their freshman year to their senior year.  So, expect lots of singing, dancing, acting and angst.

Does it match or surpass its predecessor?

In a word….NO.

What made the first Fame so exciting was that there had been nothing like it before. What tanks this remake is that the audience is comprised largely of a generation used to watching television talent shows like American Idol, so there is nothing different or innovative to them about this movie.  As a matter of fact, the stuff they’ve seen on t.v. is probably lots more interesting.

Fame 2009 is way too standard and predictable, with a weak plot and totally unrealistic characters. The original cast was comprised of teens who were not especially physically attractive, but won us over with their spirit and determination.  They were far more identifiable. The young people in this flick look like magazine models and everything is like a less wholesome version of High School Musical, but lacking the same charm.

No doubt, the cast of newcomers, which includes Walter Perez, Kay Panabaker, Kherington Payne, Collin Pennie and other unknowns, are genuinely talented. Whether this was worthy of their gifts is highly questionable, however. Playing teachers at the school are Debbie Allen, Kelsey Grammar (annoying as ever), Bebe Neuwirth and Charles Dutton, who are also wasted here.

If I were giving this movie a grade, I’d have to give it a F-minus at best, and so I will.

30% Good! 70% Wack!

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