Word: superstar
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1990-1999
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...Superstar...
...coming. Jesus Christ Superstar is. Harvard theater is finally bringing him to the mainstage and everybody is excited about it. But at the moment, this preliminary enthusiasm is riding only on what we know about the show, not this one. A modern treatment of the Passion of Christ demands some measure of experimentation and even controversy, but investigative research has managed to unearth only one word from the producers: visceral. This season's production brings together an incredible amount of raw talent, theatrical experience and pure, unadulterated enthusiasm--the perfect elements for making the sort of ground-breaking theatrical experience...
...Although Superstar's humor is meant to be silly and irreverent, the film's reliance on cheap puns and clichs is often excessive. Entire scenes are lifted from Carrie and Dirty Dancing. Mary Katherine's town, Besame Heights, literally means Kiss Me Heights when translated from Spanish. Coincidence? I'm afraid...
...Despite Superstar's many faults, hardcore SNL fans should not despair. There are still plenty of funny bits to counter the film's doldrums. The sequence in which Mary Katherine's grandmother reveals the truth about her parents' death is the inspired slapstick that leads to laughing out loud. Equally funny is the short episode in which Evian visits Sky's house to apologize, showcasing Will Ferrel's bufoonish charm. Parochial school jokes are few, but sometimes memorable. Note the sponsors on the banners announcing the student talent competition. And there are all of Mary Katherine's usual quirks--sticking...
...film's most irresistible appeal, however, stems from actors Molly Shannon and Will Ferrell. In Superstar, Molly Shannon presents a tamer, less intense Mary Katherine Gallagher than her counterpart on SNL. This lack of stamina is undoubtedly due to the longer length of the film. Will Ferrell as Sky is the quintessential master of morons. But overall, both actors' talents are underused in a film that fails to showcase their comedic brilliance...