1980's Xanadu

"Xanadu" is the now cult classic movie released into theaters in 1980. It ushered in the eighties with all the cinematic fanfare you could possibly imagine. This is one of the single most excessively eighties movies I have ever seen in my entire life. (Possibly with the exception of, "Breakin'" from 1984.) It's so over the top, so hard to believe, and so full of musical numbers that you will never find another movie like this one.

The plot centers around a muse sent to Earth to inspire an artist. This muse is played by Olivia Newton John, fresh off her success from, "Grease". The artist is played, in a rather forgettable way, by Michael Beck. (The role was originally meant to be played by Andy Gibb.) But believe it or not, the leading man isn't important in this movie. He's sort of a plot device. Because also appearing in the movie, and in his last film role, was Gene Kelly. As silly as this movie is at times, it's well worth a watch just to see Gene Kelly performing again. He still sounds the same when he sings and he still dances beautifully, even in the ridiculous musical numbers they created. The plot doesn't matter at all, what does matter is the endless string of highly stylized musical numbers.

I say it's ridiculous, but I actually mean that in a good way. You know that happy feeling you get when you find one of your favorite music videos from that 80's online? Maybe you haven't seen it forever and it just gives you a wave of nostalgia. This movie offers that feeling up the entire way through. It was a complete and total flop at theaters, making almost no money. It was so bad, that it actually inspired John Wilson to create the Razzie Awards honoring terrible movies. They still run today.

But this is one of those movies that's so bad, it's good. Olivia Newton John's character comes to inspire the creation of a roller disco. Yeah, a roller disco. The culmination of the entire movie takes place in that roller disco, in what might be the most lavish musical number ever filmed in the eighties. There are fleets of stunt skaters, Olivia Newton John singing, lights, magic tricks, dancers, costume changes, themes, glitter, and more.

This movie makes an excellent excuse for a themed eighties party. It's fun for kids to watch, even if they won't understand enough to be in on the joke. There's just no way I could possibly describe it. You have to see it for yourself to believe it, and you definitely should. For anyone who collects films from the eighties or enjoys VH1's, "I love the 80's" list show, this is an absolute must-see for you. Also, because of its cult-classic status, and because it flopped at the box office, you can find it for cheap. If you're a pop culture fan, you should definitely own this one.

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