MANILA, Philippines--In 1980, ?Fame? hit the movie screen with all of the audaciousness and exuberance of exceptionally gifted youth. Set in the famous New York High School for the Performing Arts, it followed a group of young students as they acquired the creative performing skills needed by young artists who wanted to make their mark on the arts world in all of their brilliant, prismatic prodigy.

The musical drama was so inspiring that it motivated many young talents to train hard for a career in the performing arts, and it gradually acquired minor iconic status.

Now, a new version of the movie is on view on the silver screen, prompting film buffs to ask why its makers felt a new production was needed on pretty much the same theme that the original movie had articulated so well. We?ve viewed both features and thus can come up with these comparative notes:

The first film excited viewers because its celebration of raw and developing talent was so fresh and vital. The 2009 production suffers in comparison, because it hits some of the same notes as the original, so it loses out in terms of originality. But it still ends up as a story that?s worth telling, because it updates its young protagonists? back stories and problems to include a number of more relevant issues and concerns.

The new film also benefits from the performances of some exciting young talents, especially those turned in by Naturi Naughton, Kay Panabaker, Collins Pennie and Asher Book.

?Our? Anna Maria Perez de Tagle also gets good exposure as a student who drops out of the High School for the Performing Arts, because she?s been offered a regular job on a TV show. The role isn?t big enough to qualify as a star-making turn, but the US-based Pinay talent could have done worse.

Biggest liability

The new movie?s biggest liability is its makers? decision to include too many students? stories in its thematic purview. This results in a lack of focus that makes it difficult for viewers? involvement to build up and peak.

Yes, there?s something to be said for ?syndrome? (group) storytelling and ensemble performances, but they?re difficult to pull off without losing out on more important considerations like unity, structure and organic emotional buildup.

The movie?s exciting musical finale does enable the production to end on an emotional and empathetic high, but after all those little plot and character snippets have failed to dynamically coalesce, it still feels like a case of too much, too late.

Despite these less than exuberant notes, we?re still glad that the new ?Fame? was produced, because new generations of young talents need to be motivated to develop their talents and make creating and performing their life-long vocation and profession.

Meanwhile, film buffs would do well to catch the original ?Fame? production on replay on a movie channel on cable, because it still holds up despite the passage of two decades, a testament to the timeless beauty and vitality of great live performances ? and dreams that never die.

?True Champions?

Jed Madela and Rachelle Ann Go pair up for the first time at the Skydome, SM North Edsa, on Oct. 14. The special show is a Viva Concerts & Events production. Call 911-5555.