Originally posted on Geeks OUT

So like most geeks, I recently caught the first trailers for the upcoming Jem and the Holograms movie. If you haven’t seen it yet, you can check it out here.

The verdict?

Ummmmmmmmm, hmmmmmmmmmm.

I am of two minds here.

On the one hand…

I am immensely disappointed that the film doesn’t feature Synergy*, the Misfits, the Stingers, the action, the adventure, the plot, the intrigue and all the other elements that made Jem, well Jem. Otherwise you just have Barbie and the Rockers.

*Ed. Note: The just released second trailer actually features Synergy, but, uh… yeah. This is Synergy:

Just like Transformers and G.I. Joe, Jem is the type of franchise that you pull out all the stops for and bring the A-game. Go big or go home. I suspect the corporate shot-callers are behind this move simply want to cash in on a popular franchise with a remake with as little effort as possible. This of course leaves Director Jon M. Chu in the unenviable position of trying to make the best film possible with such difficult corporate restraints. In other words, the same issue Joss Whedon faced with Disney in making Avengers: Age of Ultron.

On the other hand…

The cast looks promising, and bonus we have Molly Ringwald and Juliette Lewis. We couldn’t have asked for a better director in Chu. He’s the genius who made G.I. Joe Retaliation a box office hit and redeemed The Real American Hero franchise. More than that, he put Paramount and Hollywood on notice with his brilliant web series, The League of Extraordinary Dancers.

The film in and of itself doesn’t appear to be a bad film. At least insofar as to say that if this movie didn’t have the Jem name attached to it, it would probably still be a fun movie that would be interesting and intriguing.

I’m also willing to roll with the idea that this film is a reimagining What If/Elseworlds tale. Despite the glaring omissions of elements that make Jem unique, the film appears to be staying true to the most important themes that makes Jem special: sisterhood, friendship, family, diversity, music, being true to one’s self, girl power.

These themes are more important now than ever before.

I plan to support this movie and I also plan to continue to keep reading the new ongoing Jem and the Holograms comic book series which I can’t recommend enough.

The movie is scheduled to hit theaters later this year. We’ll find out soon enough if my faith is misplaced. Stay tuned?