January 22–29, 1998

movie shorts

Spice World

The Spice Girls movie, no surprise, is silly. Set mostly on their British-flag-emblazoned tour bus as it cruises London streets, it has no plot to speak of, showcases the girls' undeniable energy and astounding lack of wit or poise. Which is not to say that they aren't appealing or that I disrespect the millions of preadolescent fans who subscribe to Girl Power. It is to say that the movie is an unclever drag, emphasizing the fact that the Spices—Ginger, Scary, Sporty, Baby and Posh—are indeed the Prefab Five, in dire need of skilled framing, directing and writing, and that they don't receive much help in any of these departments here. Richard E. Grant is their numbskull manager, sort of a foil, who insists that they appear for a sold-out show despite their other commitment, to a girlfriend who's about to give birth. (Not to worry, there's a happy, compromised and Girl-Powered ending.) With cameos by Elton John, Meatloaf and Elvis Costello, certainly not girl-identified performers, but apparently in need of work.

—Cindy Fuchs