Variety
The film seems inexplicably embarrassed by its roots, instead serving up half-baked and self-consciously contemporary drama that no one in the sure-to-be minimal theatrical audience will remember quite so fondly some 30 years on.
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Jem and the Holograms
Jem is excitement, Jem is adventure. Glamour and glitter, fashion and fame. Jem is my name, no one else the same, Jem is my name. Jon Chu, the director of two Step Up's and G.I. Joe: Retaliation (another Hasbro property), brings the '80s animated show to the silver screen with this live-action adaptation. Story follows orphaned teenager Jem whose secret persona as a glam rocker becomes an online music sensation. Jem will be played by Aubrey Peeples, co-stars Juliette Lewis and Molly Ringwald.
2015118 minsUSA
AdventureDramaMusic
- Director:
- Jon M. Chu ('Step Up 2', 'Step Up 3D', 'GI Joe: Retaliation')
- Writer:
- Ryan Landels
- Cast:
- Juliette LewisRyan GuzmanMolly RingwaldHayley KiyokoStefanie ScottAubrey PeeplesNicholas Braun
Jem and the Holograms | Reviews
22%79 reviewsRotten Tomatoes® Score
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Time Out
Every line, every twist and every note of music feels painstakingly focus-grouped.
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The New York Times
It seems to be merely tossing ideas into the pot that it thinks might appeal to 9-year-olds.
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The Guardian
This movie sure means well, and it's just entertaining enough to (slightly) slip off the shackles of the great cultural conformity factory it ultimately represents.
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Los Angeles Times
In revisiting the pop rock quest of a multiracial group of adopted sisters in suburban California, Chu has made a stylish and self-aware musical fantasy for the YouTube generation.
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Little White Lies
A highly flawed, occasionally dumb, but fascinating blast of neon, revisionist girl power, and social media wanderlust.
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Hollywood Reporter
Not being part of the generation that watched the show, I can't vouch for its merits. But it's safe to say that it must be miles ahead of this wan, bloated screen version which forgoes the original's sci-fi and thriller aspects.
Full reviewJem and the Holograms | Release Details
Jem and the Holograms is available to stream in New Zealand now on Google Play and Apple TV.