July 11, 2008

...Xanadu (1980)

Xanadu has no charm, no humor, no wit, and no chemistry emanating between the romantic leads although it does have great music by Electric Light Orchestra, John Farrar and Olivia Newton-John, multicultural dancers, and some cheesy early 80s atmosphere. The viewing experience borders on dull but occasionally a scene explodes (like the 40s/80s mashup Dancin featuring Fee Waybill and The Tubes, and Gene Kelly rollerskating at the titular nightclub's opening) that made me soldier on to the end which climaxes with a thud as the big production number goes on far too long and attempts to break musical genres when all you want to do is hear the song. So I got the record.

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