'Rocky Horror Picture Show' remake gets warped on Fox

Movie remakes can follow two paths: Re-imagination, or replication. Despite being billed as the former, Fox wisely pursues the latter route with “The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again,” an energetic redo of the 1975 musical, which starts well and perhaps inevitably peters out long before it’s over.

Purists are within their rights to ask why Fox would bother tampering with happy memories of that strange visitor from Transexual, Transylvania, but in Hollywood terms, nearly two generations is a respectable time-lapse before raiding the vaults.

As for whether director Kenny Ortega — a veteran of everything from “Newsies” to “High School Musical” — can bring anything new to the party, the answer’s largely no, other than a modest upgrade in choreography and a self-conscious nod to the midnight-showing crowds that turned the original into an early form of interactive entertainment.

The framing device incorporates an audience in a rundown theater watching the movie, occasionally punctuating the dialogue (“Say it!”) with their interjections. After a series of live musicals on NBC and Fox’s “Grease,” the flourish was understandable, but unnecessary.

“Rocky Horror’s” sexual politics seem considerably less jarring than they were during the Ford administration, and in any event, this version’s main goal is commerce.

That means the sensory pleasures stem from seeing new actors seek to inhabit these roles. The producers have largely succeeded on that score, with Laverne Cox taking over as the lusty, sexually omnivorous Dr. Frank-N-Furter, and Ryan McCartan and Victoria Justice as Brad and Janet, the squeaky-clean young couple that stumbles into his lair.

There are other standouts, such as Reeve Carney’s uncanny sound-alike portrayal of Riff-Raff’s Richard O’Brien, who happened to author the original songs and co-write the movie. O’Brien has criticized the project, including its casting, although original star Tim Curry gives his tacit blessing by playing the narrator, despite having suffered a stroke in 2012.

“Rocky Horror” was never about its plot, but rather the catchy tunes, hedonistic indulgence, homage of classic sci-fi and sly humor. Only part of that survives the translation, and the producers have been forced to lop off roughly 15 minutes and soften the more prurient edges (rest easy, Susan Sarandon, your “Touch-a Touch-a Touch Me” remains the standard).

A former Nickelodeon star, Justice was nonetheless a shrewd choice as Janet, who has her sexual appetites awakened; and Cox exhibits considerable flair — singing and dancing up a storm, while modeling an assortment of gaudy frocks — in portraying Frank-N-Furter.

What this “Rocky” ultimately lacks is a requisite spark. The act breaks feel awkward and clunky — a built-in challenge when migrating movies to TV — and the dual seduction scene is disappointing. Some of the cinematic references are also understandably dated for target demographics that probably aren’t well versed in Steve Reeves movies, or even Anne Francis.

Still, even if the movie doesn’t live up to the anticipation, there’s a kick in reentering this time warp. And while it’s not a fresh take, as Frank-N-Furter might say, that isn’t all bad.

Source: CNN

Beginning as a musical in 1973, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” was adapted into the now cult-classic film in 1975 that continues to air across the country in a series of live shows. Filled with sing-a-longs, shout-outs and lots and lots of fishnets, it’s a show that’s endured for decades!

Here is a trailer from the first, original movie

Here’s The New Cast Of Fox’s “Rocky Horror Picture Show” Remake

Best known for her role on the Netflix hit “Orange is the New Black,” Cox was the first cast member to be announced in the starring role previously held by Tim Curry.

Playing the good girl who just wants someone to touch-a touch-a touch her (and originally played by Susan Sarandon), the former Nickelodeon cutie from “Zoey 101” and “Victorious” is a great pick.

Running on the train of excellent casting, Ryan McCartan has both TV and stage experience. Besides playing Diggy on Disney’s “Liv and Maddie,” he also played crazy bad boy J.D. in movie turned play “Heather: The Musical.”

Besides the obvious visual similarities, Reeve Carney also has TV and theater experience like another one of his co-stars. Playing the lead in the musical “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” as well as Dorian Gray on Showtime’s “Penny Dreadful,” we think he will be perfect as Riff Raff, who was played by the film’s creator Richard O’Brien.

Model and singer Staz Nair will be taking on the title role of Rocky, the hunky creation of Dr. Frank-N-Furter who loves wearing shiny gold underwear. We will also be seeing more of Nair this year on “Game of Thrones.”

While not a major role, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” wouldn’t be complete without the rock-n-roll lovin’ Eddie. Originally played by the talented Meat Loaf, we’re confident Adam Lambert can fill those big shows.