Modern adaptation of a cult classic does not quite live up to the original
After much buzz, the remake of the 1975 cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show aired on Oct. 20, 2016. However, this new made-for-TV version, directed by Kenny Ortega, doesn’t really fill the legacy that the original Rocky Horror inspired.
To me, The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again is similar to a bright, flashy music video. The costume designs are colourful and modern and the music is great, but all in all it lacks in substance.
“The costume designs are colourful and modern and the music is great, but all in all it lacks in substance.”
While some new additions were a nice touch, like the “live” audience following along with the participatory elements in the film, perhaps it would have done better as a live musical performance instead of another on-screen adaptation.
Having some big leather boots to fill, the actors did their best to live up to their iconic roles. Actress Laverne Cox (Orange Is The New Black) portrayed the mad scientist Dr. Frank N. Furter brilliantly, remaking it as her own. The way Cox interpreted the character was completely different from Tim Curry, who played the doctor as arrogant, cheeky, and enigmatic in the original 1975 version. Cox was both dynamic and confident in her role, but in some ways there was still something missing. It was a great throwback, however, to see Curry recast as the narrator after suffering from a stroke in 2012.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=outmDIi29Bo
Victoria Justice (Victorious) and Ryan McCartan (Liv and Maddie) were cast as the wholesome engaged naifs, Janet and Brad. Though McCartan’s Brad reminded me too much of an eager-to-please puppy, Justice’s Janet was quite good, and I personally enjoyed her singing much more than Susan Sarandon’s.
Reeve Carny (Penny Dreadful) really stood out as the butler and handyman Riff Raff with quite a bit of sex appeal—though the difference between him having a complete head of hair compared to Richard O’Brien made me laugh. Plus, you had the duo of Christina Milian (East Los High) and Annaleigh Ashford (Masters of Sex) as the sexy and wild servants Magenta and Columbia, and of course, the ever lovable Rocky who was played by Staz Nair (Game of Thrones). Musician Adam Lambert also came in as the electrifying Eddie, showing us how to have a great time with his rocking out on screen.
“…Curry recast as the narrator after suffering from a stroke…”
Despite all this, what made the movie somewhat upsetting, in my opinion, was how tame it was compared to the original. Many of the raunchier scenes between the characters seemed innocent. It does somewhat make sense considering it was made for primetime TV, so they had to be careful, but it was ultimately disappointing.
All in all, there are redeeming moments, especially with the musical numbers such as “Time Warp” and Cox’s “Sweet Transvestite,” but despite the best efforts of the cast and crew, the remake falls flat.
Photo courtesy of Fox 21 Television Studios.