TV is dying and the only way a lot of the networks are being able to stay relevant is by hosting a ton of live remakes of classic movies and musicals. Many of them even live. After the huge successes of productions like live “Grease” and “The Sound of Music,” FOX boldly takes on a remake of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” The latter of which is a production that’s above and beyond a cultural landmark more than a movie musical. Unlike most remakes, I didn’t have a problem with “Rocky Horror” being remade for television this year. Fans have been offering up their own interpretations since the original film became a midnight movie classic, and the movie has managed to transcend the cinematic medium and become something of a statement. I think of this remake from FOX as more of a cover song of a great original tune, and it’s hard to not enjoy this as a sweet companion piece.
Thankfully “Let’s Do the Time Warp Again” sticks true to the original sexually charged aesthetic of the original musical turning the tale of Frankenstein in to a free for all involving transvestites, orgies, rocking bikers, and so much more. There’s love triangles, hunky monsters, laser shooting minions, and yes, plenty of sex. Oh the debauchery. This version from FOX includes a much more diverse cast, replacing a lot of the more European characters for minority performers and actors. Even main character Janet Weiss, once played by a young Susan Sarandon, is replaced by very talented and entertaining Latina actress Victoria Justice. While the movie will have a lot of retractors and surely, it has its share of flaws–I won’t lie–it’s still a solid love letter to the original film with some excellent iterations of the original songs. I don’t agree with the intimation that “The Time Warp” is the only way audiences may recognize this musical by including it in the title, though.
There are so many better songs in the movie than “Time Warp,” which is still quite superb. I’m also not a fan of the idea that Adam Lambert equals Meatloaf. Furthermore, I’m not a fan of the change in the introduction, nor did I love the meta-narrative frame of the audience watching a movie audience watch “Rocky Horror.” Not only did it not make a lot of sense, but it came off as a flat gag. But hey, for all the shortcomings of this remake, it brings with it a lot of entertaining pros. The crew behind the production has a huge respect for the original film, even featuring Tim Curry in a well deserved role as the narrator of the film. It’s bittersweet seeing Curry in the role as the narrator, as since his massive stroke he looks very frail and weak. But damnit, he’s still on screen doing the best he can, and you have to love him for it. The casting is just aces across the board with the production crew bringing on board a lot of really charismatic and talented young singers and performers to play key roles.
Ryan McCartan and Victoria Justice are given the task of playing idyllic Brad and Janet, a young and pure couple who get stranded in the rain. They end up at the castle of the dreaded Dr. Frank n Furter, and her minions. Laverne Cox is a dynamo as the new Frank n Furter, and seems to be having a blast in the role, conveying pure sexuality, enthusiasm, and just doing the character justice with solid interpretations of Frank n Furter’s most entertaining songs. Every single performer brings their absolute best to the table, contributing to a production that feels like a concert and a re-staging of the original movie. Victoria Justice is hilarious as the blubbery Janet (let’s face it, I’d pay just to watch Justice read from the phone book), while Ryan McCartan is a great successor to Barry Bostwick. The supporting cast of Christina Milian, Reeve Carney, and Annaleigh Ashford also provide spirited turns and inject a lot of energy in to some of the musical’s most iconic numbers.
When all was said and done, I still prefer the 1975 version, but the remake definitely provides a strong argument for its existence, offering up an entertaining and raucous ode to the cinematic cult juggernaut.