Review of Sparkle (2012) by Kevin F — 16 Aug 2012

Sparkle is a fine musical tale. It is pretty and sounds great but fails to really move the viewer. Jordin Sparks is very good as Sparkle, and her sisters worked for me as well. In fact the best part of this movie is the girl's chemistry, I bought in to it. Sure it helps that they are 3 beautiful women. Carmen Ejogo is so well cast and it is impossible not to stare her. Tika Sumpter is stunningly gorgeous woman I can't stop Googling and Sparks body is perfect...it pays to finish this film if not for the story then to see her final costume. Mike Epps is pretty good here too, a little over the top but it works. His Satin is smooth and wicked and hard to watch, as designed.

The music is good, which is a little sad because the songs are great but they never seem big enough in the context of the film. maybe that was intentional but it didn't work for me. I wanted more spectacle. Hooked on Your Love is the stand out IMHO.

There is what I can only describe as a Whitney tribute halfway through the movie, it works I guess. You know you went to see a musical.

Overall it tries hard and Whitney's final performance is well worth seeing. So if you like the music already, or Sparks or Houston it is probably worth your time.