For a sequel to the highest grossing musical of all time,
Grease 2
is content on leaving behind the far-reaching magnitude and quality of the music that songwriters like
John Farrar
immortalized. As far as casting goes,
Grease
utilized the innocent appeal and gifted vocals of
Olivia Newton-John
and profited greatly from that casting decision.
Michelle Pfeiffer
is an arguably better actress than
Newton-John
, and even though her appeal has lasted through generations, she does not measure as well on the musical scale of entertainment. To say that
"Cool Rider"
is one of the best songs and
's only solo on the soundtrack is to reveal the fact that
is inferior but for a whole different reason -- the songs are dulled.
, by name alone, begs for a place alongside its predecessor, maybe even comparison. But as
featured a collection of classic '50s songs and new songs (some even better than the '50s hits),
could not keep its soundtrack from dripping in the heat if not for
"Cool Rider,"
"Score Tonight,"
and the explicitly suggestive
"Reproduction,"
which is embarrassingly catchy. ~ Peter Fawthrop