New Fame Trailer Needs a Little More Dancing On Cars

Without a Bond film to call its own this year (and with a disappointing Pink Panther sequel in its rear view mirror), MGM is pinning most of its 2009 theatrical hopes on its redo of Fame. Certainly, there's an audience for it: younger moviegoers could huff American Idol vibes off the film during that show's off-season, while adults who love to Twitter about the Glee pilot (it's High School Musical for people too old to watch the Disney channel!) could find themselves sucked in. So how's the new trailer?

Certainly, it's a little less gritty than the Alan Parker original (even the dust motes illuminated in the copious backlighting seem carefully art-directed), but I suppose that's a fitting tribute to today's era. The first film decreed that fame could only be attained by paying your dues, working hard, and having abortions. This one, though, knows that fame is within reach for anyone who possesses a Youtube account and a healthy lack of inhibition.

Still, it looks kind of cute, even if the interesting black characters in the trailer will inevitably be shoved aside for some drippy, lovesick white people. And let's get real: In this modern, post-Lambertian world, flaming gay singers are going to need a lot more than jazz hands to make it through their Fame audition (let's start with shoulder latticework, platform boots, and a healthy spackling of pancake makeup for starters).

VERDICT: Worth an incoherent congratulations from Paula Abdul.

· Fame Movie Trailer [Slashfilm]