Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies’ Review: Paramount+ Prequel Disappoints as a Musical but Scores as a Celebration of Teen Friendship
Set four years before the events of the original 'Grease,' the series follows four teen girl outcasts who form a new clique to upend the entire social hierarchy of Rydell High.
Nearly half a century on, the argument rages on over whether Grease was overtly sexist for its girl-changes-to-please-a-boy ending, or secretly feminist for its vivid female characters and rejection of puritanical sexual mores. If Paramount+’s Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies has its way, there will be no corresponding debate over its own progressive stances. The prequel aims to tackle head-on the sexism and racism plaguing its 1950s setting, while also, of course, delivering infectious tunes, lovable characters and sweet teen romance.
The series succeeds at some of that. As a statement of social-justice ideals, Rise of the Pink Ladies is on uneven ground; as a musical, it’s disappointingly forgettable. But as a story about the joys of teen friendship and first love, it’s almost endearing enough to make up for its shortcomings in other areas.
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