Reboots – some people love them and some hate them. I fall somewhere in the middle area. While I do not think everything has to be remade or brought back, revitalizing a piece of nostalgia can be plain old fun. Just don’t go into these remakes with high expectations thinking they’ll be better than the originals.
Sometimes, a reboot might surprise you and actually be totally tripendicular … like for sure even more so than the original! That’s exactly the case with director Rachel Lee Goldenberg’s new take on 1983’s Valley Girl.
The 2020 version, available today on all streaming platforms, is a musical that allows the film to focus even more on some totally awesome 80s songs performed by an outstanding cast including: Jessica Rothe, Josh Whitehouse, Chloe Bennet, Ashleigh Murray, Jessie Ennis, Logan Paul, and Mae Whitman.
Valley Girl is retro enough to make it legitimate, but also adds a modern flair to keep it relevant. Playing with themes of homosexuality, individuality, and bullying while using words like “woke” and fashion that’s ‘80s enough while still appealing to the younger generation.
To validate the film with older audiences who are fans of the original or fond of the genre, there are a few cameos by Valley Girl’s original cast like Deborah Foreman and Elizabeth Daily. ‘90s icon Alicia Silverstone stars as older Julie who is telling the story of her first love to her daughter and that in itself adds a retro vibe even if it’s from a different decade.
The storyline unfolds from there in a series of flashbacks only interrupted occasionally by Julie’s daughter asking logical questions like, “Stop, you were singing and dancing on a fountain?”
Filling Nicholas Cage’s shoes as Randy is Josh Whitehouse (The Knight Before Christmas) who is less new wave and more alt-rock. The chemistry between Whitehouse and Jessica Rothe (La La Land) as Julie feels more authentic. They also don’t look like they’re 35-years-old unlike Cage and Deborah Foreman … but then again, it seems everyone looked older back then!
Musical numbers by the cast includes The Go-Go’s “We Got The Beat”, a-ha’s “Take On Me”, and Modern English’s “I Melt With You”. The soundtrack is also available through Interscope Records.
Valley Girl is the perfect Friday night movie if you want some throwback fun with random song and dance numbers to put you in a good mood.
Movie Clip: Jessica Rothe, Chloe Bennet, Ashleigh Murray, and Jessie Ennis Hang Out at the Mall
The original Valley Girl is now available On Digital Streaming Platforms.
Julie (Jessica Rothe) is the ultimate ’80s Valley Girl. That is, until she falls hard for Randy (Josh Whitehouse), a Sunset Strip punk rocker, who challenges everything Julie stands for. Despite push-back from friends and family, Julie must break out of the safety of her world to follow her heart and discover what it really means to be a Valley Girl.
Starring: Jessica Rothe, Josh Whitehouse, Jessie Ennis, Ashleigh Murray, Chloe Bennet, Logan Paul, Mae Whitman, Mario Revolori, Rob Huebel, Judy Greer, Alicia Silverstone and Camila Morrone
Directed by: Rachel Lee Goldenberg
Written by: Amy Talkington
Based on the story by Andrew Lane and Wayne Crawford
Produced by: Matt Smith, Steven J. Wolfe
Genre: Comedy, Musical
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Sandy Lo is an author, blogger, journalist, and digital strategist. Her personal story is inspiring. Sandy started StarShine Magazine, an online publication in 2001, at the age of 18. She wrote her first novel in 2009, “Lost In You,” followed by the “Dream Catchers” Series. She was the first person ever to professionally interview Taylor Swift and has received personal endorsements for her books from members of boy bands Backstreet Boys and 98 Degrees.
