A Star Is Born (2018) Review

 

        I didn’t think I would enjoy the recent version of A Star Is Born. Having seen all three of them on a weekly basis has been a challenge. Well, I can at least admit where you’ve started to notice that my reviews have been popping up in the weekend instead of every Wednesday. It’s not a good excuse to use my job as a reason but staring at a screen and using my almighty brain can do a number on me. Well with all that, let’s wrap up my look of A Star Is Born. 

1. Character Depth

        Doing some research for the film brought me that the film had been stuck in development for a good while. When you look at the order of releases, it usually be around 20 years a release. With this one being the longest by approximately 40. Looking into the reason was that the actors kept changing. You had a revolving door of actors like Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Mariah Carey, and Beyonce to name a few. Hell, Clint Eastwood was slated to direct the movie. Imagine that. 

        It wasn’t until Bradley Cooper was tapped to direct, making him the someteenth actor to do the double duty of acting and directing. He didn’t even want to act in the movie, only until singer Jack White turned down the movie and Cooper ultimately starred. 

        As always, the movie follows the same beat as the other entries. I won’t list the whole plot points since you can read the last review. I feel that watching this movie is a massive improvement over the 1976 version. I say that because the whole movie just felt natural to me instead of the go-go-go vibe I felt with the Streisand version. 

        This time it’s Lady Gaga becoming the Star, she plays Ally. That whole problem I had with the last movie is easily fixed with this one. We get so much depth to her and time dedicated to her with who she is as a person. It’s more believable since we see her literally start small and then begin her meteoric rise. 

        Additionally, I’m so glad that we finally get some level of depth with Cooper’s Jackson. With any entry bearing the title’s name, the main lead must have some addiction. And would you believe that there’s a reason to it. Not to jump with cheer and do a cartwheel, but it works to this film’s advantage since it feels so tragic having to see it play out. Like, yeah to be honest, his gravely voice did wear thin on me. I will say that the beginning with him is pretty morbid foreshadowing.

        I feel like this whole movie did what any remake or reimaging does well. Expand on the initial story concept to new ideas and avenues. Having had the luxury of seeing the series back-to-back, I can tell some past references that pop out in this film’s adaptation. For instance, when Ally has the conversation to change her looks. It harkens back to the prior female leads had their looks change cosmetically to become famous. 

        Finally, the songs are decent with this one. For some reason I couldn’t get myself to like the Streisand version. I don’t know, it felt like it was obligatory given her reputation as a musician. Here, it sounded good when she sang a duet with Jackson that it served a purpose to the whole film. Being that it represented that them singing marked the moment when one’s fame is rising, and the other is already started to fade. 

2. The Series as a Whole

        This series has been interesting to watch within a weekly basis. It’s something to admire when you really think of just the times that takes place. While not just a caricatured look of the times, each have their own distinct voice and makes the whole concept timeless when you think of about it. Like it’s a story that is relatable to anyone who wants to be famous. As well as seeing or knowing someone who has their fame diminished. 

        That’s probably the reason why this particular movie gets remade within two or four generations. It’s a story that has everything that people love: The rise of an idealistic person, a fall of an alcoholic star who gets eclipsed. I think it’s only natural that people gravitate to it like when people see the numerous versions of Hamlet. Such as The Lion King, Gladiator and The Northman to name a few. It’s a story that gets people invested by just seeing how it plays out. Sort of like comfort food, it’s a type of movie that you don’t have to be in a mood to watch on any occasion. 

        It only makes sense to rank where I stand with the entire franchise. So to put it simply, the 30s version stands out since it’s a product of the time. The 50s is a grand musical that expands the original story. The 70s version, skip it. This one is a must watch. So with that, it’s the 2018, 1954 as second, The 1937 next since it has that distinct pre-World War 2 look. And avoid the Streisand one like the plague. 

3. Overall 

        What can I say? I loved the 2018 version and it’ll be a tall order for the next adaptation to top this one and change the award angle.