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With the advent of musical reality shows and an entire industry built around High School Musical, I would say the timing was right for a remake of Fame. But some fresh new faces and rousing beats couldn’t save this film from weak direction and a banal storyline.

The film opens with a montage of young and talented singers and dancers, musicians and actors all vying for a coveted spot at the New York City High School of Performing Arts, known affectionately as P.A. Ten thousand eager candidates for two hundred openings. And only one question is on the mind of all of the applicants; “Did I get in?”

Debbie Allen, who portrayed dance teacher Lydia Grant in the original film, returns as Principal Angela Simms, issues a warning to the incoming class that they would have to pay for their fame in sweat. And in an homage to the original “Hot Lunch” scene, the kids hit the cafeteria for a little sweat equity. The lunchroom becomes a jam session for rappers and tappers – perhaps one of the most rousing numbers in the film. If only it could have kept the pace……..

The film is divided up into four segments – each relating to a different year of school. In a little less then two hours, the audience is introduced to a myriad of characters – many of which hook up on day one (okay, I know it happens sometimes – but 3 couples?). It’s just not possible to adequately flesh-out so many characters – even the day after, I can barely “remember their names”. But I could never forget Coco from the 1980’s version and her heartbreaking story.

The 2009 version of Fame is rated PG – a sanitized rendition of the original that touched on topics that were (and I assume still are) significant to inner-city high school students. Teenage pregnancy, molestation and other issues of the day were examined and exposed. The storyline has been replaced with a multitude of jazzed up songs and flashy dance scenes; none of which comes close to the outdoor street scene of the original.

There are some bright spots – the use of veteran actors Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally, Charles S. Dutton and Bebe Neuwirth as tough-minded teachers. But in his feature film directing debut, twenty-four year old Kevin Tancharoen (who directed Britney Spears worldwide tour when he was only 19), fails to keep the momentum and energy alive. Only Naturi Naughton (Denise), the classical pianist turned singer brings any soul to the screen. She reminded me of a young Jennifer Hudson when she belts out “Out Here on my Own.”

Instead of “lighting up the sky like a flame,” I’m afraid this version just fizzles out.

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