Jem and the Holograms (film)

Jem and the Holograms

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Jon M. Chu
Produced by
Written by Ryan Landels
Based on Jem 
by Christy Marx
Starring
Music by Nathan Lanier
Cinematography Alice Brooks
Edited by Jillian Twigger Moul
Production
companies
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release dates
  • October 23, 2015 (2015-10-23)
Running time
 118 minutes[1][2]
Country United States
Language English
Budget $5 million[3][4]
Box office $2.3 million[5]

Jem and the Holograms is a 2015 American musical fantasy drama film starring Aubrey Peeples as the title character, Stefanie Scott, Hayley Kiyoko, Aurora Perrineau, Juliette Lewis, Ryan Guzman, and Molly Ringwald.

Very loosely based on the 1980s animated television series Jem by Christy Marx, the film is produced by Hasbro Studios and Blumhouse Productions, co-produced and directed by Jon M. Chu and written by Ryan Landels. Chu had been interested in working on the film as he grew up watching the original animated Jem series with his sisters and became a fan of it as a result.

Jem and the Holograms was theatrically released on October 23, 2015 by Universal Pictures. The film underperformed, grossing $2.3 million worldwide on a $5 million budget.[5]

Plot

Teenage songwriter Jerrica Benton and her younger sister Kimber live with their Aunt Bailey and two foster sisters, Aja and Shana. Jerrica learns that their house will be auctioned, and vents her emotions by recording a song using Kimber's video camera that she uses to post blogs, but she uses a disguise, calling herself Jem, a nickname given to her by her deceased father. She accidentally forgets to delete the video, and Kimber posts it onto YouTube, garnering millions of views in a single day. Jerrica and her sisters travel to LA because Jerrica earns a record deal with Starlight productions, meeting producer Erica Raymond and her son Rio. In the process, they come across a small robot called 51N3RG.Y (pronounced synergy) built by the Benton sisters' deceased father, Emmett, which leads them on a scavenger hunt where each clue represents something Jerrica did or wanted to do with her father. On the way, Rio and Jerrica develop feelings, much to Erica's dismay, who signs Rio off to another singer. Aunt Bailey tells Jerrica via FaceTime that their house is going for auction in a few days, and Jerrica asks for an advance. Erica happily obliges, but she says that she wants Jerrica to leave her sisters and start a solo contract, which Jerrica signs thinking that she is doing it for the family. Her sisters soon find out about the contract and leave. Jerrica goes to visit the house in LA she used to live in with Kimber and her father. Her sisters end up coming back to finish the scavenger hunt with her, and Rio comes along as well. Jerrica soon realizes that the last piece is the earrings that her dad told her to wear, but Erica told her to take them off when she first went to Starlight. Rio and the girls break into Starlight, almost getting caught by Erica, but they succeed. The reward for finishing the hunt is a final hologram message video from Jerrica and Kimber's father. At the end of the movie, Rio and Jem kiss, Erica is fired, and everyone is happy. The house is also safe, as well.

In a mid-credits scene, Erica arrives in a seedy junkyard, where she attempts to recruit a group of punkish young women into a band to rival the Holograms. Initially, they decline, but when the leader, Pizzazz, overhears that Rio is dating Jem, they agree and take Erica inside. The graffiti on the side of their trailer reveals that they're the Misfits.

Cast

Jem's voice actresses from the cartoon, Samantha Newark, makes a cameo as a hairstylist[7] while Britta Phillips cameos as a stage manager. Jem's creator Christy Marx cameos as Lindsey Pierce.

Production

With the recent successes of G.I. Joe and Transformers, Hasbro was rumored to be considering a live-action film with Universal Studios, with which Hasbro had signed a six-film contract in 2010, or a new incarnation of the animated series.[8] On March 20, 2014, a live-action, motion-picture adaptation of Jem and the Holograms was announced, to be directed by Jon M. Chu.[9] Chu has said he had spent ten years developing the film with producer Jason Blum.[10] It was later revealed that the original Jem writer Christy Marx was not involved in any part of the film's production.[11] In response to her having no part or consultation on the film, Marx defended Chu's sense of ambition for the project via Facebook and has left it to the fans to decide whether or not the project was a "smart decision".[12] In April 2014, it was announced that Aubrey Peeples had been cast as Jem, with Stefanie Scott as Kimber, Hayley Kiyoko as Aja, and Aurora Perrineau as Shana.[13] Peeples had admitted being initially unfamiliar with the franchise although she subsequently became familiar with it and became a fan quickly.[14] Other parts were announced throughout the next couple of months with actor Ryan Guzman cast as Rio announced on April 30[15] Juliette Lewis's involvement on May 19.[16] and Molly Ringwald on May 20.[17] Principal photography began on April 22, 2014 in Van Nuys,[18] later on May 19, shooting was underway in Los Angeles.[16] Shooting ended on May 24, 2014.[19]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack for the film, featuring original compositions and also songs by Hailee Steinfeld and Dawin, was released in North America by Silent Records and Republic Records on October 23, 2015.[20]

Jem and the Holograms (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)[20]
No. TitleArtist Length
1. "Youngblood" (featuring Aubrey Peeples and Stefanie Scott)Hilary Duff & Jem and the Holograms 3:04
2. "Hit Me Up" (featuring Stefanie Scott)Jem and the Holograms 3:36
3. "Alone Together" (featuring Aubrey Peeples)Jem and the Holograms 2:08
4. "Cold Blooded"  Ida Maria 3:35
5. "Mi Mi Mi"  Serebro 3:12
6. "We Got Heart" (featuring Aubrey Peeples, Aurora Perrineau, Stefanie Scott and Ryan Guzman)Jem and the Holograms 2:57
7. "Youngblood" (featuring Aubrey Peeples and Stefanie Scott)Jem and the Holograms 2:58
8. "Love Myself"  Hailee Steinfeld 3:38
9. "Movie Star"  Hayley Kiyoko 3:18
10. "The Way I Was" (featuring Aubrey Peeples)Jem and the Holograms 3:43
11. "Life of the Party"  Dawin 3:26
12. "I'm Still Here" (featuring Aubrey Peeples, Aurora Perrineau and Stefanie Scott)Jem and the Holograms 3:44
13. "Got It"  Marian Hill 3:12

Release

Marketing

On February 25, 2015, the first official image from the film was released, featuring Peeples as Jem, Scott as Kimber, and Kiyoko as Aja performing on stage.[21] On May 12, 2015, director Chu revealed the first official film poster.[22] The next day, on May 13, a trailer was released online.[23] On August 11, a second trailer was released,[24] this time featuring the robot 51N3RG.Y (pronounced as synergy) which itself was based on the original cartoon series' supercomputer that holographically projects the band's images and creates their special effects during stage performances. Critics responded negatively to the May 2015 trailer for the film, noting that the reboot seems to share little with its animated predecessor.[25] Hillary Crosley Coker of Jezebel commented that the film "looks like a less interesting version of Beyond the Lights".[26] Uproxx noted the trailer's low rating on its official YouTube page,[27][28] while The Huffington Post in Canada wrote that the changes to the original plot have "disappointed '80s kids everywhere", then highlighted multiple negative fan reactions.[29] Williesha Morris, also writing for The Huffington Post, criticized the film's re-imagining of the Jerrica character, stating that the original cartoon "represented female empowerment, not angst".[30] Actress Scott, who plays Kimber, and producer Blum have both addressed the negative reactions by asking fans to reserve judgment until the film is released. Scott stated that "I think that they have to see the movie to understand that things that they think are missing are in there." Blum has described the film as being "a hundred percent true to the spirit of Jem".[31]

Theatrical

Jem and the Holograms was theatrically released on October 23, 2015 by Universal Pictures.

Home media

Jem and the Holograms received a DVD and Blu-ray/DVD combo release on January 19, 2016. Special features include 12 deleted scenes, an audio commentary by director Chu, a gag reel, a music video for "Youngblood", and a featurette titled "Glam, Glitter, Fashion, and Fame: The Reinvention of Jem".[32]

Reception

Box office

The film was released in North America on October 23, 2015, alongside The Last Witch Hunter, Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension, and Rock the Kasbah, along with the wide release of Steve Jobs. It was originally projected to gross $5 million in its opening weekend, but after only grossing $34,000 during its Thursday night previews ($36 per theater average), projections were lowered to $3 million.[33] It ultimately opened fifteenth at the box office with $1.4 million, the worst opening of 2015 and the fourth worst opening ever for a film playing in more than 2,000 theaters.[34][35] On November 10, 2015, just over two weeks after it premiered, Universal removed the film from theaters entirely, after grossing just $2.2 million. Jason Guerrasio of Business Insider described the pull from theaters as "an unheard of move for a movie that was in theaters nationwide."[36]

The film's international roll-out began on October 22, where it debuted to a fourth-place finish in Slovenia. It debuted in 9 screens and had a weekend gross of $2,064. The movie's total was $3,046. In its second weekend the film dropped 37% to finish at 5th place with $1,297. Its third week resulted in a steep 84% decline to $210. Its three-week total is $6,886.[37]

The film opened in Croatia on October 29, where it debuted in fifth-place with $1,421 from 11 screens. The film dropped over 40% in its second week with $870 from 7 screens, but the third week saw its screen count increase to 13 and it suffered a scant 8% decline to end the weekend with $801. The film’s three-week total was $3,744.

The film opened in Iceland a day later, where it made $1,197 on opening weekend from 6 screens. The film retained its screen count for the next week, seeing a 41% drop to end with $698. The following week saw the film take in $195 from 1 screen, a substantial drop of 72%. Its three week-total was $2,862.

The film opened in Norway on November 6. It placed number four at the box office with $14,764 from 62 screens. Its two-week total was $20,046.

The film opened in Singapore on November 26 where it grossed $9,311 from 8 screens for a 13th-place finish.

Release dates for other parts of Europe was December; the film opened in the UK on 12 February, 2016 and grossed $12,869. The film was released in France in April 2016.

The film never made it to cinemas in Australia; instead, it went straight to DVD there in mid-March, 2016.

As of 30 December 2015, the film grossed $142,526 internationally, bringing the worldwide gross to $2.3 million.[38]

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a rating of 19% based on 63 reviews; the average rating is 3.5/10. The site's consensus reads, "Jem and the Holograms ignores its source material's goofy charm in favor of bland by-the-numbers drama."[39] Metacritic gives the film a score of 42 out of 100, based on 16 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[40] On CinemaScore, audiences gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.[41] Geoff Berkshire of Variety praised Peeples' performance as Jem, noting that she "keeps the film watchable", as well as Lewis as "a nonsensical bitch-on-wheels caricature with offbeat line readings and live-wire energy", and noted that "a generally unremarkable tech package — cinematography, sound, costuming & makeup, etc. — at least provides a modest showcase for costume designer Soyon An, makeup head Mary Klimek and hairstylist Vanessa Price, who come the closest to channeling the vibrant spirit of the Jem cartoons that originally made fans fall in love."[2]

Possible crossover

On October 23, 2015, Jon M. Chu confirmed his intentions to make a crossover film between Jem and the Holograms with Transformers and G.I. Joe.[42][43]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS (PG)". British Board of Film Classification. January 29, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  2. 1 2 "'Jem and the Holograms' Review: '80s Cartoon Comes to Life". Geoff Berkshire. Variety. October 22, 2015. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Only 'Goosebumps' Will Prevail In Five-Pic Logjam – Box Office Preview". deadspin.com.
  4. ↑ "Jem and the Holograms (2015)". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Jem and the Holograms (2015)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  6. ↑ "JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS CAST + CREW". Fandango. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Jem's Samantha Newark: Still Truly Outrageous". The Advocate. Here Media. October 6, 2014. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  8. ↑ Rowles, Dustin (2011-08-09). "Jem and the Holograms Coming to the Big Screen?". Pajiba.com. Retrieved 2011-08-09.
  9. ↑ "Jason Blum, Scooter Braun Prods & Jon M. Chu Team With Hasbro On 'Jem And The Holograms' Video". Deadline.com. 2014-03-20. Retrieved 2014-03-20.
  10. ↑ "'Jem and the Holograms' Director on Film Bombing, Getting "Death Threats" From Show Fans". The Hollywood Reporter. 2015-10-24. Retrieved 2015-10-25.
  11. ↑ "'Jem And The Holograms' Creator Christy Marx Shut Out Of Live Action Movie". ComicsAlliance.com. 2014-03-21. Retrieved 2014-03-21.
  12. ↑ Marx, Christy. "Christy Marx Clubhouse". Facebook. Christy Marx Clubhouse. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  13. ↑ "'Jem and the Holograms' cast revealed". Usatoday.com. 2014-04-25. Retrieved 2015-10-24.
  14. ↑ Malkin, Mark. "NEWS/ Jem and the Holograms Star Aubrey Peeples Teases Movie's Music, Fashion and Possible Sequel". E!. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  15. ↑ "'Jem and the Holograms' Finds Its Rio". Hollywood Reporter. 2014-04-30. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
  16. 1 2 Jen Yamato (2014-05-19). "'Jem And The Holograms' Adds Juliette Lewis In Mystery Role". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2014-05-19.
  17. ↑ Hughes, Jason (2014-05-20). "Molly Ringwald, Juliette Lewis Join Cast of 'Jem and the Holograms'". TheWrap.com. Retrieved 2014-05-20.
  18. ↑ Christine (2014-04-22). "'Jem and the Holograms' begins filming in Los Angeles!". OnLocationVacations.com. Retrieved 2014-04-22.
  19. ↑ "On The Set For 5/27/14: Johnny Depp Starrer 'Black Mass' Starts For Warner Bros., 'Jem and the Holograms' Wraps". StudioSystemNews.com. 2014-05-28. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
  20. 1 2 "Jem and the Holograms (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Various Artists on iTunes". Apple Inc. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
  21. ↑ "'Jem and the Holograms' Movie: First Photo Released". Variety. 2015-02-28. Retrieved 2015-02-28.
  22. ↑ "Jon M. Chu on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  23. ↑ "The 'Jem And The Holograms' Trailer Features More Than Just Music And Make-Up". BuzzFeed. May 12, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  24. ↑ "The Second JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS Trailer Has Arrived". Nerdist News. August 11, 2015. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  25. ↑ "'Jem and the Holograms' trailer isn't as magical as you expected". CNN. 2015-05-13. Retrieved 2015-05-13.
  26. ↑ Coker, Hillary Crosley. "Here's the New Jem and the Holograms Trailer. I Think I Hate It". Jezebel. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  27. ↑ Kurp, Josh. "The Internet's Reaction To The 'Jem And The Holograms' Trailer Is Truly Outrageously Bad". Uproxx. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  28. ↑ "Jem and the Holograms (2015) Trailer 1 (HD) Universal Pictures". YouTube. Universal Pictures Australia. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  29. ↑ Zamon, Rebecca. "Jem And The Holograms Trailer Disappoints '80s Kids Everywhere". The Huffington Post Canada. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
  30. ↑ Morris, Williesha. "More Than Missing Misfits: 3 Reasons Why 'Jem & The Holograms' Is Hollywood's Worst Cartoon-Based Flick". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  31. ↑ "Producer, Star Both Defend Awful 'Jem' Trailer". The Frisky. 2015-05-23. Retrieved 2015-05-24.
  32. ↑ "Jem and the Holograms". Blu-ray.com. November 30, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  33. ↑ "'The Martian' Returning To No. 1 Above Five-Pic Logjam; 'Jem' & 'Kasbah' Crashing". Deadline.com.
  34. ↑ "WORST WIDE OPENINGS 1982–present". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  35. ↑ "'Jem', 'Kasbah' & 'Witch Hunter' Flop Putting 'The Martian' Back On Top". Box Office Mojo. Jem and the Holograms brought in an estimated $1.3 million, the fourth worst opening for a film in more than 2,000 theaters and the worst for a film playing in more than 2,400 theaters.
  36. ↑ "This movie did so terribly that Universal has pulled it from over 2,000 theaters". Business Insider. Retrieved 2015-11-10.
  37. ↑ "Slovenia Box Office for Jem and the Holograms (2015)". The Numbers. Retrieved 2015-12-03.
  38. ↑ http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Jem-and-the-Holograms#tab=summary
  39. ↑ "Jem and the Holograms (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  40. ↑ "Jem and the Holograms Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  41. ↑ Anthony D'Alessandro. "Weekend Box Office: 'Last Witch Hunter', 'Paranormal Activity' Opening - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved October 26, 2015. The film's B+ CinemaScore doesn't mean anything: Very few were in the theater.
  42. ↑ John Chu wants to make a crossover film with G.I. Joe, Transformers, and Jem By B.G. Henne Oct 23, 2015 12:49 PM
  43. ↑ ‘TRANSFORMERS’ : CROSSOVER WITH OTHER HASBRO PROPERTIES POSSIBLE; ‘G.I. JOE,’ ‘JEM THE HOLOGRAM’ INCLUDED; HINTED BY DIRECTOR JON CHU MOVIENEWS , MOVIES / OCT 29, 2015

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