So many of these characters flit across the screen, we're only given minutes to get to know each and, consequently, care about none.

| Mar 22, 2021

Everything that this version of Fame does, Parker's 1980 version of Fame did much, much better.

| Original Score: 2.0/4.0 | Sep 7, 2020

Four years of school are covered in a brisk 107 minutes, the characters aren't completely developed, and none of the actors [are] given much to work with

| Original Score: C- | May 15, 2019

Kevin Tancharoen's remake of "Fame" is a flat, lifeless experience that is missing the emotion required to get us involved with the characters and their situations.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Sep 24, 2012

This film showed a darker side of high school life and the performing arts. Some scenes are hard to watch, but that's because they are so real.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 21, 2012

The pageantry really is very nice, especially the dance numbers, but as soon as the music stops, so does Fame. It's not the worst remake ever made, it's not even really very bad, just stodgily, repressively mediocre.

| Original Score: 5/10 | Mar 22, 2011

Fails to make a significant mark.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Oct 29, 2010

absolutely shameless in its sadistic trotting-out of every single rabbit in the tiny teen-pageant top hat.

| Original Score: 1/4 | Sep 28, 2010

I'm gonna live forever? Fat chance.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 12, 2010

Grab the soundtrack, which highlights the great voices amongst the cast, and enjoy the best bits of the film through your iPod.

| Aug 9, 2010

Fame! 2009 is destined to become famous for all the wrong reasons.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Feb 15, 2010

It's as if the franchise was remade as a Pepsi commercial.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jan 13, 2010

The fragmented narrative of high school kids pursuing their dreams (job security) has just barely more feel and understanding of what it's like to be young than 17 Again .

Full Review | Nov 4, 2009

Remember the theme song? "I feel it coming together/People will see me and cry . . . Fame/I'm gonna live forever/Baby, remember my name." Sadly, none of that applies to this hollow, impersonal movie.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Oct 31, 2009

Everything is predictable, which is to the detriment of the mostly fine, young talent that appears in this ineffective retread.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Oct 22, 2009

This remake of Alan Parker's 1980 musical follows a rainbow coalition of sketchily characterised teenagers.

| Oct 15, 2009

Its lack of melodrama and shock value make it all the more refreshing. Consider this film a grittier, inner city cousin of HSM and that's no back handed compliment

| Original Score: B+ | Oct 11, 2009

A little too scrubbed and sanitized, with the sharper realities of showbiz sanded down to a PG level.

Full Review | Original Score: 2.5/4 | Oct 9, 2009

a totally unoriginal and unnecessary remake that runs far, far away from anything edgy, controversial or interesting.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5 | Oct 4, 2009

Thing is, to live forever would mean the eventual re-remake of Fame. And that won't do.

| Original Score: C | Oct 2, 2009