Review: ‘Xanadu’ on DVD

That’s right… Xanadu is finally out on DVD! I know this is probably on 80% of critics worst movie of all time, but it really gets a bad rap. Olivia Newton John is fresh off her success in Grease and takes on the world of Roller Disco. Throw in Gene Kelly and and the virtual unknown Micheal Beck (Swan from the Warriors) and you have an OK cast. But Xanadu thrives on the music. A soundtrack that features the Tubes, Olivia Newton John and the Electric Light Orchestra, it makes the movie worth a rental.

Xanadu is the story of Sonny Malone (Beck), an artist and a guy that dreams of making it big in the art world, but he is stuck painting giant album covers for record stores. As his dreams begin to fade he is “kissed by a muse”. Kira, a muse, one of the nine daughters of Zeus sent to inspire humanity. Kira begins to pop up everywhere Sonny Looks, and soon he falls for her. During this romantic chase Sonny bumps into one of Kira’s past successes, Danny McGuire (Kelly). McGuire a construction giant, who in the past was a magical musician playing with the likes of Benny Goodman. Danny remembers his inspiration and it’s the spitting image of Kira. Sonny and Danny become partners on a new state-of-the-art club… you guessed it… XANADU. Unfortunately what happens when your dreams come true..the muse must move on. Sonny won’t have this. So he must find a way to keep Kira.

Like I said the story is kinda shaky and features early animation mixed with live action, but when you add the music ..it does the trick. Before you revoke my Geek/Man card, check out the songs: Magic (John), All over the World (ELO), Don’t Walk Away (ELO), The Fall (ELO), Dancin (Tubes), I’m Alive (ELO) and the Title track Xanadu (John & ELO) make this romantic musical worth the rent. The DVD also has a featurette “Going back to Xanadu” and original trailer. If you like this enough and want to pluck down 14.99 you can get the Magical edition that comes packaged with the soundtrack and makes it a bargain to buy.