Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Can't Stop the Music Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 26, 2019

1980 was a special year. It was a time when producers wanted to give the world disco-laden musicals long after disco died, just barely missing the trend while spending an unfortunate amount of money to bring colorful fantasies to life. The year delivered “The Apple” and “Xanadu,” but the first one out of the gate was “Can’t Stop the Music,” which was proudly promoted as the cinematic experience of the 1980s, while featuring talent from the 1970s. It’s better known as the origin story for Village People, a singing group famous for hits such as “Macho Man” and “Y.M.C.A.” It’s their “Bohemian Rhapsody,” only slightly more believable, with director Nancy Walker and co-producer Allan Carr using the camp factor of the band to launch their version of 1930s musical, doing whatever they can to maintain the fun factor of a production that’s in dire need of a tighter edit and a 1978 release date.

Jack (Steve Guttenberg) is a frustrated songwriter looking to craft his breakout hit, enlisting help from pal Samantha (Valerie Perrine), an ex- model, who has connections to the New York City record industry. Putting together a demo that’s meant to have top production sound, Samantha recruits a team of singers to bring Jack’s work to life, hiring Glenn the Leatherman (Glenn Hughes), Alex the G.I. (Alex Briley), David the Construction Worker (David Hodo), Randy the Cowboy (Randy Jones), Felipe the Indian (Felipe Rose), and Ray the Policeman (Ray Simpson). As the men find their musical chemistry, lawyer Ron (Bruce Jenner, now Caitlyn) gets involved, trying to provide financial backing for the development of the Village People, who are primed to take the world by storm.

After producing “Grease,” charming the world with a bubblegum version of the 1950s, Carr shows even more confidence with “Can’t Stop the Music,” using the film as way to revive movie musicals from the 1930s, delivering a feature that’s big on spirit and incredibly broad with performances. There are times when it’s tough to tell if Guttenberg is simply acting with every fiber of his being or if he’s been set on fire. The overacting arrives without a break, but the picture welcomes such exaggeration, striving to put on a big disco show for the masses, with Carr the puppet master, trying to deliver excess in the name of homage.

“Can’t Stop the Music” is a cheery creation, with Walker presiding over controlled chaos as slapstick crashes into musical performances, endeavoring to find some sort of screen rhythm. Trouble is, this is a 124-minute-long film, which is an eternity when the subject matter concerns the birth of Village People. Here are six men in costumes they apparently live in pulled into Samantha’s orbit, coming together to make disco music with Jack. There’s not much more than that, but Walker insists on scenes playing long after they’ve expired, focusing on the physical comedy antics of people who don’t have the training for such practiced tomfoolery.

“Can’t Stop the Music” is exhausting to watch, easily capable of shedding 30 minutes of shenanigans (two scenes involve lasagna high jinks) and romances, creating a breezy sit where the most suspense emerges from female characters who insist on pining for the band members (“Barking Up the Wrong Tree” would’ve been a more appropriate title). Carr isn’t exactly clarifying such sexual matters for the audience, cooking up heterosexual fantasies for Village People musical numbers, at least until “Y.M.C.A.” arrives, and then the movie becomes a celebration of male bodies in all forms of movement and undress (this is one of the only PG-rated features to get away with brief glimpses of full-frontal nudity). It’s no coincidence that the health club party is where the endeavor feels the freest, giving Walker a location to explore and dudes to ogle, while Carr works on his screen tributes, graduating to more traditional costumed showmanship with “Milkshake,” which finds Samantha and the boys using bright, big sets and ornate costumes to sell the wonders of dairy to the masses.

“Can’t Stop the Music” feels endless at times, but it’s not the disaster its reputation promises. Village People and their production team deliver some catchy songs that take full advantage of the era’s interest in pop music, while Dennis Frederiksen scores some highlights with “Samantha,” a club smash, and “The Sound of the City,” a main title tune accompanied by a montage of Jack crossing NYC on roller skates. The soundtrack is especially enticing for those with interest in the boogie of the 1970s being promised as a chart-topping vision for the 1980s.

Can't Stop the Music Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encode image (2.35:1 aspect ratio) presentation finds the cinematographic limitations of "Can't Stop the Music" easily, delivering a clear view of a picture that's filled with a lot of innate softness. Detail emerges with insane costuming selections that merge period fashion with heightened Village People gear and movie musical glamour, maintaining sheerness and shortness, especially with the males of the feature. City views are secured with satisfactory dimension, along with stage work, keeping set design open for inspection. Facial surfaces come through to the best of their ability, capturing wildly different looks, also emphasizing Perrine's allure and the muscle-bound particulars of the extras. Colors are secure, offering hotter lighting for club and daydream adventures, contributing deep reds and shimmering silver. Clothing retains primaries, and skintones are natural. Grain is fine and film-like. Delineation is communicative. Source is in fine shape, without any significant damage.

Can't Stop the Music Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA sound mix offers an enjoyable frontal push for "Can't Stop the Music," with the soundtrack selections sustaining intended power, with an appealing low-end beat. Music is sharp, with defined instrumentation and tasteful amplification. Dialogue exchanges are distinct, capturing comedic beats, though there's certainly nothing subtle about this endeavor. Still, voices are clear and expressive. Surrounds aren't explosive, but musical moments are opened up, generating engaging fullness.

Can't Stop the Music Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features "The Fabulous Allan Carr" director Jeffrey Schwarz and writer Bruce Vilanch.

• "A Wink, A Wiggle, And a Wave" (25:15, HD) is the first half of a conversation with singer Randy Jones (aka Randy the Cowboy). He's an extremely charismatic man, and is happy to go on the record about "Can't Stop the Music," but the early years are discussed first. Raised in North Carolina, Jones grew up loving the spotlight, eventually moving to New York City with Broadway dreams. Instead, he found himself as a backup singer for Grace Jones, with Frenchmen Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo bringing the young man into their design for a unique group, using the power of American imagery to wow the world. Jones tracks his effort to create the cowboy role, and recounts his career inspiration.

• "Can't Stop the Cowboy" (40:59, HD) returns to Jones, who dives into the "Can't Stop the Music" experience, noting that the feature was a very first title to win a Razzie Award. The rise of Village People was noticed by producer Allan Carr, who wanted to make a movie with the popular group as his follow-up to "Grease," originally envisioned Jacqueline Bisset in the lead role. Jones discusses his co-stars, emphasizing Valerie Perrine's striking beauty, and he has a special memory of a reunion with Bruce Jenner, now Caitlyn, during an awards ceremony, also reinforcing how, in fact, Jenner was a most impressive actor considering his status as male icon during the 1970s. Director Nancy Walker's no-nonsense attitude is assessed, with Jones vividly describing her appearance, and the production's considerable effort with costuming and choreography is recalled. The interviewee charts the decline of Village People and his own dwindling interest in keeping up with the band's grueling schedule, eventually dropping out of the group, only to manufacture a 1987 reunion with the original members. Jones presents an overview of his current musical offerings, and makes it clear that the spirit of "Can't Stop the Music" is pure, with the 1979 shoot a happy memory for him.

• Image Gallery (2:10) includes publicity shots and lobby cards.

• Poster and Press Materials Gallery (8:57) offers international poster art and press kits, pages from a pressbook, and ad slicks.

• Vintage Photo Gallery (4:24) examines Village People promotional efforts, with some racy snaps, pages from a photobook, and images from a trading card collection.

• T.V. Spots (:59, SD) present two commercials for "Can't Stop the Music."

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:57, SD) is included.

Can't Stop the Music Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Carr swings for the fences with "Can't Stop the Music," straining to turn a simplistic idea and a musical group facing pop culture ejection into a blockbuster cinematic event. There's plenty of glitter, bare chests, and moments where Guttenberg reacts with mime-like emphasis. With lowered expectations, "Can't Stop the Music" isn't disastrous (tech achievements are too good to permit the effort to die on impact). It's just dull more often than not, which is cardinal sin for this type of entertainment. Carr doesn't want the party to end, and who could blame him? But after an hour of meandering tomfoolery, the picture loses sight of its purpose to celebrate Village People and introduce audiences to the future sounds, moves, and sexuality of the 1980s.