Being a teenager is a confusing time, we want to be accepted, popular, and, at times, invisible. In a world where you feel overlooked and ignored, it is gratifying to have a voice, an identity, some special aspect that is going to make you stand out and be accepted. Jem and the Holograms attempts to make this a theme. Creating your identity and having the ability to shape and form it into a way that it becomes your own shield against the ills of the world. It is a very promising concept and idea when attempting to update the series for today’s audience. Unfortunately there isn’t much substance to the film. The substance that is apparent is quite shallow and undeveloped.
Instead of sticking with the original premise and backstory of the popular cartoon series of the 1980s, it tries to modernize itself in a way that holds onto little of its origin other than the name of some of the characters. There is no heart with this film, there is no feeling driving the movie that makes you want to cheer for the characters to become successful. This is mainly due to the film not giving audiences a chance to like the characters or even learn who they really are. The film makes everything look so easy within the music industry. The basic understanding is that if you post a video online, you might be discovered and are immediately offered a recording contract. This storyline will resonate with many of the “Generation Me” and “Kardashian Culture” crowd that is filled dreams of becoming famous for doing little to nothing.
The story is beyond far-fetched in that it every problem, riddle, issue, and negative moment is resolved in the next scene. There is no struggle for any of the characters other than the possibility that their aunt and foster mother may lose their house, but even this is solved within two minutes.
The one shining light in the film is Juliette Lewis as Erica Raymond, CEO of Starlight Records who gives Jem and her sisters the opportunity to take over the spotlight. She is not only the comic relief, but serves the role as a conniving, manipulative recording manager. This is pretty much the only similarity that exists between this film and the original series. Erica prompts older audiences to think of the Misfits (the nemesis to the Holograms) who were continuously trying to sabotage their careers. The rest of the cast, leaves one not feeling connected to them or their storylines. There is no development for any of the people throughout the film. It almost seems as though when making the film, the production team sat around thinking, “It’s Jem, the music will carry the story.” Unfortunately, the music that is included goes no further than being the typical pop music similar to that which is on every station today. There is nothing that stands out about the music, as catchy as it is, that makes you feel as though you should become invested in who these girls are or even that they have something that makes them stand out. With the time that has passed since the cartoon appeared on television, there should have been more investment in who these girls are and why we should care about them. Audiences don’t have that opportunity, as they become famous, seemingly overnight. It almost makes one want to root against them.
There is a real opportunity missed with this film to combine the original show, catering to older audiences who watched the show as children, and update it for a newer generation. The film would have been much better served with inclusion of many of the elements that made the series have such appeal. The approach is very juvenile and rushed. The original show was more than music, it was about the relationships formed by many of the characters and the various adventures that they would pursue. There were stories with depth and continuity which reinforced the aspects of working hard and achievement of goals. The whole movie looks like a diary entry of what an American tween would see as their life in entertainment. The one positive note about the film is the way that it incorporates social media in the development of the story. It demonstrates the connection that is and can be made through music and pop culture.
Sadly, in contrast to the original series, the film demeans and belittles women. Its approach is short-sighted and does not deal with any aspect of reality that one would expect. Jem is nothing more than a manufactured pop music story. There is little that audiences could relate to. In a sense, it is anti-music, and anti-intellectual. The film itself, is filler and a corruption of the origin story and the time that has passed since it first debuted. Audiences of Jem the TV series may be appalled at what they witness, if they do decide to actually watch the film. For younger audiences, this film reinforces the belief that all kids should get participation trophies because they tried. There is the sense that if you just show up, the opportunity will be handed to you. There is no real work on the screen and it seems as though there was no real work or effort put into creating this film. Younger audiences will tout the music and friendship displayed. Older audiences who were fans of the television show will be soundly disappointed in what they witness on the screen. It is a bastardization of what Jem should be in a modern age. There is no soul to this film. Every note that it hits is flat.
1.5/5
Review By Sasha Glenn
There is no point in delaying stating the obvious; once again a treasured 1980s animation has been slaughtered by the twenty first century film industry. Many of the same complaints that filled fans heads as they watched the “Transformers” will come up again here.
Rather than transforming the already great storyline of the original animation into a live action film, the elements that made up that greatness are left out and replaced by over sensationalized teen drama.
Sure, it would be wrong to say that “Jem” is without its own merits. Director Jon M. Chu and writer Ryan Landels have created an inspiring tale of social acceptance, the importance of following dreams, and the beauty of bonds between friends.
The film relies heavily on the incorporation of social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Unfortunately, this is the most disturbing change in the plot. It is completely centered on the generic idea of finding fame through social media. Obviously, social media was not a thing in the 80s and has nothing to do with the plot of the series.
In the original animation Jem and the Holograms found fame battling it out at a live concert against their rival band, The Misfits. The band rivalry is also a major element missing from the very loosely adapted film.
There is nothing spectacular about the acting, the songs, or any of the changes that were made to the plot. The only positive thing about the film is that children and teens of this generation will most likely enjoy it and find it inspiring.
Rather than Jem being left devices of holographic powers by her late father, she is only left a small robot which does nothing more than deliver a message from her father. She relies on the less imaginative run of the mill methods of creating her identity. This plot change completely destroys what made the animation great. It is no longer psychedelic, and it is no longer inventive.
It is perplexing that the makers of the film would not want to monopolize on the uniqueness of the original plot, while at the same time being able to tap into modern graphics capabilities. The animation itself was already inspiring. It already followed a band of women true to heart and talent. It already had moral messages.
I give “Jem and the Holograms” 1 star out of 5.
