 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Grease 2
- Review Date: September 5, 2006
- PG
- Genre: Musical
- 1982
Common Sense Media says
Rizzo says "no" to this hacky sequel.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that teens in this movie smoke, drink, and talk about sex constantly. One character tries to trick another into having sex. The movie is full of sexual innuendo and objectification of women. Michael tries to become what Stephanie wants, and risks his life with death-defying motorcycle jumps to do it. On the other hand, Stephanie is a strong female role model. She doesn't give in to peer pressure and is in the process of figuring out who she is.
What's the story?
It's 1961 at Rydell High School, and we're reacquainted with the Pink Ladies and T-Birds of Grease. But things are different. Head of the Pink Ladies, Stephanie Zinone (Michelle Pfeiffer), is done with the head of the T-Birds, Johnny Nogerelli (Adrian Zmed). She's looking for someone who is, as she sings, "cool enough that he'll burn me through and through." Enter Michael (Maxwell Caulfield), Sandy's cousin from England. Michael wears suits to school, does the T-Bird's homework for them, and pines after Stephanie. When Michael saves enough money from writing other kids' papers, he buys a motorcycle and tries to become the man of Stephanie's dreams. He's mysterious, he has an awesome bike, and he has the shiniest leather pants of anyone at Rydell. He woos Stephanie, but won't disclose who he is. When his true identity is revealed, will Stephanie love him or leave him? Will he die in one of his dangerous jumps? Will Johnny finally get over Stephanie and treat Paulette right?
Is it any good?
It speaks loudly to the power of the original Grease that its choreographer was given the reigns to direct GREASE 2. Patricia Birch's work is prominent in the too-long dance numbers to the ridiculous number of songs. As a follow-up to the classic, Grease 2 pales in comparison to the original. As a stand-alone fantasy about getting the girl of your dreams, it's no Pretty in Pink, but it does have its fun moments.
We've seen it all before: The pining, the hoping your crush will like you for who you are, the hope you'll be accepted by the cool kids -- it's all there. But here, actors way older than the teens they're playing, rehashing the tired story in a rather uncool way. Sadly, to make up for being less cool than the original, Grease 2 is raunchier. And the main theme of this one isn't a forbidden-love story, as the first was. Grease 2's message is the geeky kid emerging as a cool kid, and getting the respect of the guys and the love of one special girl. Here, it's important to talk to both boys and girls about how they let their special talents and inner cool show -- without trying to change themselves completely for someone else.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why Michael feels like he needs to change for Stephanie. Here's a good opportunity to talk to teens about maintaining a sense of self in the face of the desire to fit in and get the girl or guy of their dreams. Does Michael learn his lesson? How does Stephanie's sense of self differ from Michael's? Would Stephanie change who she is for a boy? Does that make her more or less attractive?
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AGE
Too weird, and too much of a copy of the first one.
This movie has a very similar plotline to the first movie-- a popular and rebellious teen and a shy and modest teen fall in love, but the latter feels the need to change themselves for the former. Instead of Sandy and Danny, we've got a guy named Michael and a girl named Stephanie. Michael is a guy from England (kind of a play on the fact that Sandy came from Australia, because their personality types are the same) and Stephanie is one of the Pink Ladies. Though the first movie could be inappropriate at times, this movie makes it seem like Winnie The Pooh. With songs like 'Reproduction' and 'Let's Do It For Our Country' ('do it' as in... you know), you'll walk away feeling disturbed and disgusted. It's best just to skip this movie. It's not that great. I do like the opening song though, it's quite catchy.
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AGE
Um,,,,,,,,,,?
In my opinion, this movie was a disgrace to the original. That Johnny guy, or whatever his name was, got on my nerves so much. There were terrible actors and singers and all of a sudden, the Pink Ladies and T-Birds care about their "rep." Since when did they ever care about what other people thought of them? The songs were so random and sisn't have the charm like "Summer Nights" does. Although, I do have to say, Michelle Pfeiffer (sp?) was really good in it. If you like the original, skip this. Unless you would like to see Didi Conn (Frenchy) for a few scenes.
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AGE
I like it!
Overall lots of people hate this film. But I liked it just as much as the first. It does have sexual themes as do about 99.9% of films do. But It's less than the first film
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AGE
The first was waaaaaaay better
It's sooooooo not as good as "Grease 1". Do yourself (and anybody else you know that's watching it) and see the first one!
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AGE
Coolest grease
I like this movie and nothing is really a problem cuz Sharon finds out about the trick and doesn't do it.you just hear them singing "lets do it for our country"which is saying that she sould do it in case he should die in war which he implises while his friends out side use the schools war alarm.
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AGE
iffy for 11+ but still a great movie
i liked this movie i thought it had a little too much sexual references for a pg movie. when i saw the first grease i luved it so much that i was a little dissopointed at the beginning of this one but it got much better at the end
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AGE
I say no to this hacky sequel. A disgrace to the original
This film is stupid. Xanadu(1980) is better than this, despite both being flops at the box office. It has better music than this. It was corny, but fun. Grease was better. Skip it
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AGE
Not that Great
Even though containing a couple cute songs, this film doesn't deserve the name Grease 2.
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| Topics: | high school, music and sing-along |
| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Director: | Patricia Birch |
| Cast: | Adrian Zmed, Maxwell Caulfield, Michelle Pfeiffer |
| Genre: | Musical |
| Run time: | 115 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 5, 1982 |
| DVD release date: | June 10, 2003 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | sexual innuendo and situations |
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