Staying Alive (1983) - Rotten Tomatoes 0%, is it REALLY that bad?
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- Опубликовано: 19 окт 2024
- In this video, I explore the reasoning behind why moviegoers and film critics hate this movie, while simultaneously giving my thoughts as to why it's not as bad as they say. Actually, I've always really liked it!
Is this movie really one of the worst movies of all time? Is it really worthy of a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes? Let's take a closer look.
#stayingalive #cynthiarhodes #finolahughes #frankstallone #tonymonero
If nothing else, the soundtrack is pure, immaculate 80's and I think that is beautiful.
Thank you for having the iron balls enough to admit that this movie was much better than a ZERO percent!
Thank you!
Thank you for your awareness and appreciation of this movie. I also feel that this is one of the most underappreciated sequels of the last 40 years. If anyone really paid attention to the ending of Saturday Night Fever, it logically sets this sequel into place. Asking Stephanie for help so he can leave the dead-end that was Bay Ridge, he knows he has to go to Manhattan if he is to survive. In Staying Alive, Tony is no longer the big fish in a small pond, he is now invisible, struggling, and insecure. I appreciated this growth of the Tony Manero character because this is realistic. People do change as they get older. Granted, the 19-year-old Tony is more revered, but given the chance, this Tony Manero is also interesting if you're open to it. I think where the film may be called out conceptually is probably, like most fans, this could have been better if it was made to be rated R. But I do feel that with the success of Grease, The PG rated Saturday Night Fever and Urban Cowboy all making money as PG rated movies, there's no way we would have gotten an R rated version of Staying Alive. So, with a film like this (like most sequels), it could have been better, and it could have been worse. I feel there's more to like than not like in this movie to support it. I love this movie and the Tony Manero character.
That's awesome! I love what you've said throughout your post. I like how you've added in that whole rated R twist; that's an angle I didn't even consider.
The recent Staying Alive (40th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray] showcases,among other cool perks, a very cool conversation between the talented David Del Valle e my great pal, Ed King (thye latter from the Irish Film Institute) and I was honored to be mentioned.
P.S.--Very good video, Robert.
Absolutely not a zero!! Perfect, no. Entertaining? Heck yes!!
I saw "Stayin' Alive" in the theater with my parents. We were expecting a "Saturday Night Fever" type movie, and it just didn't have the same vibe. "Saturday Night Fever" was such an iconic movie at the time, a sequel wasn't necessary.
[About "A Flock of Seagulls," their debut album was heavily promoted on the radio because it had a such great radio-playable song "Wishing." They even won a Grammy in 1983 for their instrumental song "DNA." Their second album was a complete let down, it just didn't 'fit' the times anymore, there were many many bands much better than them. Their second album seemed 'outdated.']
I appreciate your post, and I'm in full agreement about their 2nd album being a let down; I'm saying this only by comparison to the 1st one - though I think they officially fell off a cliff by the time they made "Heartbeat Like a Drum" on their 4th album in '86. I actually like their first 3 albums, but none of them compare to that 1st album; and all of those great B-Sides too! I'm quite big on Paul Reynolds. The times sure changed fast in the late '70s, early '80s. Just look at how many changes The Cure made!
I love this movie. Finola Hughes is amazing!
I enjoyed this movie. The soundtrack is great. And John’s dancing was great! I love both films.
Great to read, thank you!
I watched it recently and as chessy as it is, i loved it. If Rocky was a dancer instead of a boxer.
I saw this movie in the movie theater and I loved it and still watch it anytime it’s on
I love reading that Donna! Thank you for watching!
I agree. I love this movie and not as a guilty pleasure. Cynthia Rhodes is a trooper and IMO has kept quite a few films grounded and connected to reality. And any soundtrack with her singing is worthwhile. I don’t even like 80s music but her singing is so clean and classic that she rises above it. I don’t understand why anyone would quibble with Finola Hughes’ dancing either. The musical in the movie was admittedly a bit cheesy, but a lot of musicals in the real world are a bit cheesy too. Even the great Bob Fosse’s musical in “All That Jazz” was a little cheesy-maybe it’s just the way musicals come across on screen because I haven’t seen many, going all the way back to Judy and Mickey saying “Let’s put on a show!” which weren’t a bit silly, and I like musicals.
Anyway, I too liked Staying Alive enough to buy the DVD. I think I also have the version from iTunes. I’ll watch, and defend it, any day just on account of Cynthia Rhodes.
Great post! A lot of what you said resonates with me. And I love that you cited "All That Jazz" in particular, and I couldn't agree more.
The thing about Hughes' dancing, is that IF she was as bad as most people claim that she is/was, why was she in CATS in '81?
When I get my act together, I've been meaning to put out a video on Cynthia Rhodes (correcting my audio/recording problems). Talk about someone who should have been bigger... She could do everything (as I'm sure that you know), and at a high level in every category.
This movie has always been a guilty pleasure of mine. From what I've read, "Staying Alive" originally was going to be a darker film. "Tony" was going be a strung out junkie/drug addict who was battling between drugs and trying to be a professional dancer. Then Stallone came aboard and wanted "Tony" to be anti-dance and helping out with the problems in his community. Those films would have been interesting. There were rumors that a third installment (mid to late 90's) was going to hit the screens where "Tony" was a club owner. This was a great video. Thanks for posting.
Thank you Rich!
I agree, that both of those other ideas could certainly work, in either direction. I'd be more interested in the one where he's a junkie/drug addict, but still like the original Stallone version as well.
I appreciate your post! Thank you for watching!
Staying Alive is ok. No it's not the classic Saturday Night Fever, but it stands on its own. Just don't look at it as a sequel.
I love staying alive better then sauterday night fever
Ive seen far worse sequel than Stayin Alive. Its bad...but watchable bad. To me it was the writing. Tony, unlike the first film, was very unlikeable. Juggling two women. Especially the way he kept mistreating the blonde cutie who really liked him. Stallone's big ego at the time,was definitely all over it. He damn near turned down all of bee gees music. Frank's music was good but...a bit cheesy. Moody girl is my favorite.
Overall, Stayin Alive isnt as bad as they say
A movie I avoided because I didn't want I to affect my liking of SNF. Maybe I'll take a look and take it on face value.
It's interesting to see how critics dislike something, but people who put their money down and watch it, think much better.
That's Insane that they considered A Christmas Story, The Outsiders and Scarface bad movies back in 1983
Good call! It's not just Stallone and Travolta, they had it in for De Palma too! I sense a theme here.
Here’s where I stand on Staying Alive:
It’s bad, I’m not gonna lie and genuinely defend it as a good movie, BUT I didn’t hate it, not at all. It’s a guilty pleasure for me because it is still very entertaining to watch, and everything is so glittery, glossy, buff and oiled up to where it’s just so enthralling to look at. I like watching the film but I can’t explain why, and I still want to see it again…even talking about how bad it is! That perception may grow to genuine like or even love in the future, but that’s where I am now.
I appreciate what you're saying. Especially the part about - despite knowing that it's bad - still wanting to see it again.
@@robertsretrorewind5853 Update: At this point now, I think I actually do genuinely really appreciate Staying Alive now, I really like it a lot, and now I’m actually fully on your side that it is genuinely a good film and nowhere as bad as people say it is. Cheers, dude!
I luv that movie ❤
Great overview of a fun and good movie. I just picked up the brand new 4K disc release. Looks and sounds great. 👍
I have ALWAYS LOVED THIS MOVIE! And CYNTHIA RHODES never got her ROSES!
She was PHENOMENAL!!!
This is an AWESOME Movie!!
Staying Alive is one of my top five movies of all time! I just purchased it through RUclips. The soundtrack is also a masterpiece!
I love it, great to hear!
I was obsessed with this movie as if it was a zero percent. I love the dancing and the soundtrack my mom and I watched this movie together so many times I lost count.
I love reading that! Thank you for sharing.
This was very good and should be on the STAYIN' ALIVE 4k it would be a great extra.
Whoever works for Rotten Tomatoes and gave this movie a 0 deserves to be fired! Everyone in my family loves this film and watches it every year. Saturday Night Fever we watched once. Travolta was magnificent as usual. Frank Stallone's songs were a perfect fit. They were NOT chosen by Sly as most think but by Travolta who didn't like some of the songs that were originally chosen. Travolta asked Sly if he had any other music, so Sly suggested a tape he had had from his brother but didn't tell John who it was. Travolta loved the songs and Frank was hired. Every song fit perfect as did the actors. Finola Hughes was priceless as a spoiled brat dancer but was also a pro dancer too. Dirty Dancing I've watched 2 or 3 times but it doesn't hold a candle to this film. Stallone did a fine job.
Well said!
Thank you for that info regarding how Sylvester Stallone went with his brother's music; very insightful!
I made a few references to how critics really hated Finola Hughes' character in particular, but my personal feeling (which didn't come out in this video) was that I think she's the right fit. I understand all of the criticisms of the movie, but they've never hindered my experience with the film.
I think it a good movie love watching it
I deeply love staying alive.. Travolta. Has a fabulous body! Amazing show. I've got it in dvd
"Staying Alive" is a long-forgotten stinker.
You're a Jerry Blackwell fan. I'll let it go. Long live the AWA!
@@robertsretrorewind5853 I loved Crusher Blackwell! I grew up in AWA territory. As for 'Staying Alive', I saw it once way back in the '80s. It's probably due for a rewatch.
@@monte68x They used to cut promos for AWA for Canada about 10 minutes (drive) from where I live. They lost too much (IMO) in '83, not just with Hogan, but Mean Gene, Bobby The Brain, and The Body; it literally gave the WWF the color and finish to put their product over the top; I'm sure that you know all this but just letting you know how much I loved it back in the day.
I'm a huge Nick Bockwinkle fan. He's so underrated. His match in '87 when he was about 53 years old (I think at the Cow Palace) vs Curt Hennig, might be my favorite one just based off of the technical side, and both of their being so snug and excellent at what they could do.
Anyway, good to hear. Take care!
Good review. I never saw it. Probably for the same reason everyone hated it. In 83 everyone was over disco and the macho thing and there's Tony oiled up and wearing a headband. Just looked wrong. But maybe I should give it a chance.
Much appreciated!
It’s not good and a thumbs down but worth watching if you’re a huge fan of the first movie. The cinematography of the New York streets is good especially if you’re familiar with the locations
I love this better than Saturday night fever
I didn't notice your name the first time around. Kevin Dobson! I'm thinking Kojak, All Night Long, and Knots Landing! I've always liked Kevin Dobson.
The '80s is definitely the worst decade for music and movies. Their was obviously a huge drop in quality when compared to what was done in the '70s but thankfully it bounced back in quality in the '90s. Still Staying Alive is not that bad of a movie. It could have been better, yes. But it is not awful as some people make it out to believe.
I watched it again the other day. It's a "guilty pleasure" if you will. It's a lot cheesier and more lightweight than the first film, but like you, I saw it at a young age (before the first film, I might add) and I can't quite dismiss it outright like some people do. It is interesting how Stallone ended up directing this. Apparently, Travolta had been ducking out of a sequel to Saturday Night Fever for years, until he saw Rocky III (which came out the year before) and decided that if they were going to make a sequel, it need a similar kind of energy. Stallone's sensibilities are all over Alive. Manero does feel a bit more Balboa-like in this one, though he's not as likable and does some douche things over the course of the film. It feels like much more of an underdog story and doesn't end with the same kind of uncertainty that Fever did. Hell, towards the end of the dance finale, Travolta isn't so much dancing as brawling with a bunch of dudes on stage. Like I said, this is very much a Stallone movie and as a fan I can derive pleasure from it, but as you mentioned, Stallone outside of his original Rocky success has never been highly regarded by critics (though there were exceptions like Copland), which probably goes some way to explain the bad reviews on initial release. As for subsequent, post-internet bad reviews... I agree with you that a lot of them feel like kneejerk reactions to the film's reputation, more than anything of real substance. There's plenty to critique about Staying Alive, but a lot of the recent reviews come down to "Oh it's cheesy and dated". Well, no shit sherlock.
Great post Franz!
I really appreciate what you're saying, and the way that you broke it down. I like that you cited "Copland", specifically, in regards to when the critics took Stallone seriously, as well as the "post-internet bad reviews" part. Like you, I get that the critics felt a certain way in '83, but some random critic in 2015 basically just does a copy and paste job from a review from +30 years ago doesn't work for me. It's like they're trying to score some easy point with someone else in mind (like their film studies professor).
I would have guessed that over time, more people would be a little more lax, and view it differently; not as harshly.
Again, thank you for your post! Very thoughtful!
Saturday Night Fever is one of my favorite movies of all time. However, I enjoyed Staying Alive as well and didn't agree with all the criticism it received.
I'd personally give Saturday Night Fever 91% and Staying Alive 73 % but in some ways are I prefer Alive to Fever. ❤
I can definitely appreciate that line of thinking.
I really like this movie and the dancing is great
I saw Saturday Night Fever in the 1990's and was not able to see it because of the R rating I still watch this movie and have seen it over 40 times. I did not like Staying Alive it was no good for me and did not care for the soundtrack. I only liked the songs Far From Over in the key of c minor aeolian and staying alive in the key of f minor aeolian. I like Star Wars, Return of the Jedi.
Blu Ray & 4K comes out tomorrow. Can't wait. Thankyou Kino Lorber!!!
Roger and this thing they call Rotten tomatoes 🍅 are all Garbage 🗑 jOhN was great and the movie was good 👍 I see 👀 some movies 🎬 they're making tOdaY I wouldn't pay 1 dollars tO gO look at them !
Hola que tal espero que bien , mira acabo de subscribirme en tu canal por decir que Staying Alive es en realidad una buena película , soy un gran fan de esta maravillosa película que tantos recuerdos me trae , pude verla aqui en mi cuudad Barcelona (España) de estreno y desde que la vi me marco para siempre es una de mis películas favoritas , recuerdo toda la propaganda los posters del metro las vallas publicitarias colgadas en los edificios mas altos , la banda sonora en todas las tiendas ,y quise tenerlo todo posters ( que aún tengo enmarcado en mi comedor) cassette y disco , revistas de época , el libro también , todo lo guardo con gran estima , muchas Gracias por saber valorar esta película y comprenderla , eternamente agradecido un abrazo y buena entrada de año nuevo
Guau! Gracias por tu gran publicación! No hablo español; estoy usando un traductor para ayudarme a comunicar mis pensamientos (me disculpo si algo potencialmente no tiene ningún sentido), pero leí todo lo que dijiste y lo que dijiste es fantástico. Muchas gracias (buena suerte y salud) a ti también en el Año Nuevo!
@@robertsretrorewind5853Muchísimas gracias por contestarme!!! yo también uso el traductor y no tienes que disculparte estamos igual hablo inglés poco y mi hijo fue el que me pasó tu video y me lo explico , ayer la vimos en Blu-ray que compremos hace poco el que salió para el 40 aniversario y es una pasada verlo con buena calidad si sacaron el Blu-ray por algo será y al igual me pasa con Grease 2 también me gusta caramba!!! Bueno no quiero entretenerte más ,espero que saques más contenido en tu canal , te deseo lo mejor amigo
Pd/ y tengo la misma chaqueta que lleva Tony Manero en STAYING ALIVE
@@tatysantos4448 Eso es genial!
@@tatysantos4448 Sin duda intentaré publicar más contenido próximamente. Agradezco sus comentarios y su aliento. Muchas gracias!
I recently re-watched Staying Alive and was shocked at how little I remembered of the movie. But as I watched more and more, I realized why my brain purged any memory of it. I'm sorry to all of you who seem to enjoy it, but it's bad. It's bad. It's really really bad. Who's bad? Staying Alive is bad. Every micro-second of 'acting' is horrendous. The cuts and camera angles and random slow-mo unsuccessfully try to hide the fact that these actors can't dance. Travolta is the only one who can dance at all and even he is terrible in this movie. It was hard to watch. I only got about half way through it before I threw my laptop out the window, and then threw a piano on top of it. (Just to make sure it would never play Staying Alive again.)
Finola Hughes I agree with ,Just like Karen lynn Gorney mis cast in oringnal,
I'd heard Annette O'Toole mention on some podcast years ago, that she was supposed to get the part that eventually went to Karen Lynn Gorney. O'Toole even rehearsed some of the dance scenes with Travolta.
They had either changed up producers or directors early on, and with that, went in a different direction, which landed on Gorney for that role.
@@robertsretrorewind5853 original my favorite movie seen 16 x when first came out 👍
its pretty fkn' good, dude... The ending is GREAT!
I was 30 in 1983. Staying Alive was that bad.
I love the soundtrack and own it
I'm right with you. It's one of my favorite soundtracks too!
Soundtrack is good. It's kind of that adult rock for yuppies of the 80s'. But for the Bee Gees to be given a backseat over Frank Stallone music that was not cool. Frank Stallone music opens the movie?
Me too. Actually the Staying Alive soundtrack is the first album I ever bought with my hard earned money in 1988, five years after the movie/soundtrack came out.
I proper loved it when I was q child qnd wud watch it again.... ❤❤
Thank you for watching!
it has a great soundtrack
This is a marvelous film!!!
If this is marvelous to you than what is SATURDAY NOGHT FEVER?
I loved the movie.
Sister Act 2 was a very good movie
A testosterone-injected movie starring a dancer with a strong taste for women and never letting the world turning him into the beta-male this society we live in today is so eager to turn any male around. No wonder it got 0%, as a matter of fact it's a medal not a shame. STRUT! 😎
1999’s Magnolia was trash. Super pretentious. Frogs falling from the sky. I’d much rather watch “Staying Alive” that some of the critically lauded pretentious flicks like that. I also thought that “There Will be Blood” was bad too.
Staying Alive. Wrong director. Frightfully bad, cheesy script. Some wooden acting. 2½ out of a possible 10.
I just bought 2 copies on DVD.