Rating: PG
Genre:
Musical
Release Date: 11/19/2004
Dubbed: English
Sound: DD2
Run Time: 135 min
Flags: Adult Situations
Distributor/Studio: Sterling Entertainment/Crown Media/America Vi
Seinfeld's
Jason Alexander stars in this made-for-television remake of the 1963 classic musical. Alexander stars as Albert J. Peterson, a man hoping to make his fortune and get the girl by promoting the big send-off for a newly drafted pop star named Conrad Birdie (
Marc Kudish). A song-and-dance movie, actress-dancer
Ann Reinking served as choreographer of this film.
~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
Television adaptations of Broadway
musicals received a brief revival of sorts in the 1990s, led by the
Bette Midler version of
Gypsy. Although their quality varied, most were notable for being very faithful adaptations. The 1995
Bye Bye Birdie is no exception. Three new (and not very good) songs were added, and a few lyrics were changed here and there, but for the most part this version preserves the stage script and score intact. And that's one of the problems. On-stage, the
musical zooms by; onscreen, it's less consistently zippy, perking up every so often (especially when
Vanessa L. Williams is singing or dancing) and then trudging along for a while (often during production numbers that go on too long). Another problem is that director
Gene Saks often uses the material to comment upon the 1950s or 1960s in general rather than on the specific subjects being satirized -- a perspective that robs the material of much of its heart. That said, the production does benefit from a generally strong cast.
Williams is an absolute knockout, whirling through a shriner's ballet and spitting out
"What Did I Ever See in Him" with delectable gusto.
Jason Alexander is not a perfect
Albert -- his charm and sincerity are forced rather than natural -- but he sounds good and is well paired with
Williams.
Chynna Phillips is a disappointing
Kim, but the rest of the supporting cast is solid. Overlong and occasionally pokey, this
Bye Bye Birdie still entertains.
~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
;)
