ivegonemod I'm one of those people who are hard on remakes, especially if I enjoyed the original. I'm being very kind in giving this movie a 2. It was quite terrible.This is a remake that really isn't a remake, it just steals things from the original and throws them into a new film loosely based on Sparkle. I actually wish they had done a true remake, because at least the script would have been good if nothing else.Nobody can play Sister the way Lonette McKee can; she owns the role, and her performance can not be duplicated nor even closely matched. Lonette was about 22 when she played Sister, Carmen Ejogo is about 38; she is just too old to play Sister! Lonette managed to be alluring and charismatic as Sister without being trashy. It felt like Carmen was trying too hard to act like a sexy naughty girl, and Lonette simply oozed that type of aura. She had one of the most gorgeous faces and figures that I have ever seen in the 1976 Sparkle; Carmen doesn't have that. Also, Lonette's speaking voice and cadence really added a layer to the role that was missing from this version.I first saw the original in about 1996, I was maybe 15 or 16, and have been hooked ever since. I'm biased, but I can still say that even if I had not seen the original; I would not like the semi-remake.The acting is awful. Jordin Sparks can't act. Irene Cara's Sparkle seemed so naturally sweet, and Jordin's Sparkle just came off as phony; like acting.How on earth do you go from Philip Michael Thomas as Stix to Derek Luke? The same can be said for Satin and Levi, how do you go from Tony King to Mike Epps, and from Dorian Harewood to Omari Hardwick? The biggest difference between the films is that the remake has no gut, no core, no soul. Where is the heartbreaking drama? Where is the power?A 1976 film about the music industry is bound to be better than a modern one. There are some subjects that just don't pan out very well in more modern times, such as the music industry and the modeling industry.There was a time when movies about The Temptations or The Ronettes would be a surefire hit, but that time has passed. These types of movies tend to come off as phony nowadays. That's not saying a good one can't be made, but it apparently is a very hard thing to pull off.

tavm Last February 12, I reviewed the original Sparkle that starred Irene Cara in the title role and in which I noted Whitney Houston's death the previous day because of her role in the remake which I'm reviewing now. Ms. Houston, who was also one of the exec producers, is very good as the mother of the three daughters who initially form a girl group of singers even though I noticed that her speaking voice was now quite worn from her years of drugs. But her singing her one song here was still great so she left this viewer still wanting more from her though I know we'll just have her recordings and movie and TV appearances to look for now but that should be good enough considering how much she contributed to the entertainment world. Now about this remake: With some changes in story and characterization, not to mention period and location, it's still about one young woman's dream of writing and singing good hit songs despite her mother's initial disapproval. And "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks turns out to be somewhat of a good actress to make the character of Sparkle shine though of course it's really her singing those now-classic Curtis Mayfield songs from the original movie that really puts her through. The most impressive turns are those who play her two sisters especially the one who eventually ends up going to medical school (Tika Sumpter) whenever she confronts her other drug addled sister (Carmen Ejogo) about her abuse at the hands of her comedian husband. As for which version is better, I say this one though it seemed to lose some dramatic edge near the end compared to the original one. Still, the longer length did help open up the story and characterizations enough that I was mostly satisfied so on that note, I highly recommend this version of Sparkle.

tang713 Today, I went to see Sparkle and let's just say that I wasn't disappointed at all. Whitney, Whitney, Whitney...... she did her thang! The whole cast was great and I discovered hidden talent among the cast that I hadn't noticed before. Wow!! Don't let the haters keep you from seeing this movie. I was singing, laughing and dancing in my seat. I was filled with emotions like never before, I can honestly say that I enjoyed Sparkle(2012) better than the original. I was born in the 60's and could easily relate to the characters in Sparkle. When I left the theater, I said to myself that I can't wait until it is released on Blue Ray(extra everything). It is always a pleasure to see and hear Whitney, loved and forever missed in my heart. Go see Sparkle! Peace.

rivertam26 Sparkle is a low rent version of Dreamgirls so to speak a remake of an unremarkable film form the 70s is a bad film make no mistake about it. The direction is very amateur, the cinematography is crap and the performances are mostly questionable but the film has its charms as well as it's good moments. And although the film is way melodramatic and unintentionally funny at parts it still manages to be entertaining and consistently engaging. The film centers on a trio of sisters in a band called well "Sisters" lol. The plotting movers along expectedly as they have a minor rise to fame while dealing with their overprotective mother, love, drugs, sex and domestic abuse. But the film also delves a little deeper into the intricate relationships between them due most to the solid performance from Carmen Ejogo as Sister she's sultry and seemingly self centered but underneath that she's extremely protective of her sisters she basically raised as her mother had problems. Because of that her position in the group and her family is a difficult, multi layered one and the best exploration is done there. Everything else feels a little forced and flimsy. I don't wanna be to hard on the film because for the most part I enjoyed it and maybe thats because I enjoy lifetime movies. It has it's good moments and it's bad and the best I can say about Whitney Houston's involvement in the film is that she was a very talented woman earlier on in her career and I hope she's at peace now. Although a mixed bag there is enough here to merit a recommendation if this type of melodramatic, musical period piece appeals to you. I'd also like to say that even though the film is set in the past it never feels that way. The consistency is off as well as the logic and it feels very modern with some retro costumes. The film doesn't much sparkle as have a dull shine. 3/5