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{{Short description|2015 musical drama film}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2015}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox film {{Infobox film
| name = Jem and the Holograms | name = Jem and the Holograms
| image = Jem Movie Teaser Poster.png | image = Jem and the Holograms (film).png
| alt = | alt =
| caption = Teaser poster | caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = ] | director = ]
| producer = {{Plainlist| | producer = {{Plainlist|
* ] * ]
* ]
* Jon M. Chu * Jon M. Chu
* ]
* ] * ]
* Stephen Davis * Stephen Davis
* Bennett Schneir * Bennett Schneir
}} }}
| writer = Ryan Landels | screenplay = Ryan Landels
| based on = {{based on|'']''|]}} | based_on = {{based on|'']''|]}}
| starring = {{Plainlist| | starring = {{Plainlist|
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* Aurora Perrineau * ]
* ]
* ] * ]
* ]
* ]
}}
| music = Nathan Lanier
| cinematography = ]
| editing = {{Plainlist|
* Jillian Moul
* Michael Trent
}} }}
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|
| music = Nathan Lanier
* ]
| cinematography = Alice Brooks
| editing = Jillian Twigger Moul
| studio = {{Plainlist|
* Allspark Pictures
* ] * ]
* ] * Chu Studios
* ] * SB Projects
}} }}
| distributor = ] | distributor = ]
| released = {{Film date|2015|10|23}} | released = {{Film date|2015|10|23}}
| runtime = 118 minutes<!-- Theatrical runtime: 118:28 --><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/jem-and-holograms-film | title=''JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS'' (PG) | work=] | date=January 29, 2016 | access-date=January 29, 2016 | archive-date=February 3, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203060247/http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/jem-and-holograms-film | url-status=dead }}</ref>
| runtime =
| country = United States | country = United States
| language = English | language = English
| budget = $5 million<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/10/the-last-witch-hunter-paranormal-activity-goosebumps-box-office-preview-1201589142/ |title=Only 'Goosebumps' Will Prevail In Five-Pic Logjam – Box Office Preview |work=deadspin.com|date=October 20, 2015 }}</ref><ref name="BOM" />
| budget =
| gross = $2.3 million<ref name="BOM">{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=jemandtheholograms.htm |title=Jem and the Holograms (2015) |website= ] |access-date=November 6, 2015}}</ref>
| gross =
}} }}
'''''Jem and the Holograms''''' is an upcoming 2015 American ] ] film based on the toy line and 1980s ]. Directed by ] and written by Ryan Landels, the film is scheduled to be released on October 23, 2015. '''''Jem and the Holograms''''' is a 2015 American ] ] produced and directed by ], written by Ryan Landels, and starring ] (as the title character), ], ], ], ], ] and ]. Loosely based on ]'s 1980s animated television series '']'', the film was produced by ] (a subsidiary of ]) and ].

Chu's interest in developing a ] of ''Jem'' is based on having grown up watching the original series with his sisters.<ref name=thedailybeastnostalgia>{{cite news|last1=Yamato|first1=Jen|title=How Justin Bieber Insipred 'Jem and the Holograms' |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/10/21/how-justin-bieber-inspired-jem-and-the-holograms.html|website=The Daily Beast|date=October 21, 2015|access-date=2 April 2017}}{{dead link|date=November 2024}}</ref> He had attempted to make the film 11 years earlier, but was rejected by Universal due to the cost.

''Jem and the Holograms'' was theatrically released on October 23, 2015, by ]. The film was a ], grossing $2.3 million worldwide on a $5 million budget and receiving mixed reviews from critics.


==Plot== ==Plot==
<!--Plot summaries may not be copied or closely paraphrased from other sources, they must be written from scratch. Ideal length: 400-700 words per WP:FILMPLOT--> <!--Plot summaries may not be copied or closely paraphrased from other sources; they must be written from scratch. Ideal length: 400-700 words per WP:FILMPLOT-->
Jerrica Benton and her younger sister, Kimber, live with their Aunt Bailey and two foster sisters, Aja and Shana. The four girls frequently videotape themselves playing music and wearing colorful outfits, but the shy Jerrica refuses to be videotaped while singing. Jerrica discovers that, due to Aunt Bailey's financial problems, their house will be auctioned. To vent her frustration, Jerrica puts on a wig and makeup and records a video of herself singing a song she wrote.
Singer Jerrica Benton (]), her sister Kimber (]), and her friends Aja (]) and Shana (]), aspiring musicians, embark on a quest to become superstars.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.movienewz.com/jem-and-the-holograms/|title=Jem and the Holograms|work=MovienewZ|date=2014-05-20|accessdate=2014-05-20}}</ref>

Jerrica is interrupted just before she is about to delete the video, and Kimber uploads the video to ]. The video attracts millions of views in a single day. Jerrica is offered a record deal by Starlight Productions and travels to ] with her sisters. They meet music producer Erica Raymond and her son Rio. Erica is polite and courteous with the quartet, but shows particular interest in Jerrica, who she sees as a potential superstar.

The girls settle down in L.A. and discuss their next move. They have brought along a small robot called 51N3RG.Y (pronounced ''synergy''), which was invented by Jerrica's deceased father, Emmett. The robot suddenly activates itself and leads them on a ]. Each clue represents something Jerrica did or wanted to do with her father. The objective is to find several missing pieces designed to fit into the robot to be fully activated. The girls find the first piece on the ]. They find the second clue in a guitar once owned by Emmett when, by coincidence, the band plays live.

Rio and Jerrica begin to develop romantic feelings for each other, much to Erica's dismay. Erica assigns Rio to another singer in an attempt to keep him away from Jerrica. Aunt Bailey tells Jerrica via ] that their house is going for auction in a few days. Desperate to save the home, Jerrica asks Erica for an advance. Erica says she will oblige if Jerrica agrees to leave her sisters and go solo. Jerrica relents, believing Erica's decision will benefit her sisters and Aunt Bailey. When Jerrica's sisters find out, they denounce her for leaving them out of the deal and depart. After a dull solo performance, Jerrica becomes regretful and visits the L.A. house where she used to live with Kimber and her father.

Jerrica's sisters arrive and reconcile with her. They vow to help finish the scavenger hunt, and Rio joins them. Jerrica realizes that the last pieces of the puzzle are the earrings Emmett bequeathed to her, but Erica had them taken during her first visit to Starlight. The earrings are now stored in Erica's office. Rio and the girls break into Starlight and almost get caught by Erica, but succeed in retrieving the earrings. The reward is a final holographic message from Emmett. The group also discover Rio's late father's will, which grants him a majority of Starlight shares, effectively putting him in control of the company.

With the house safe, Jem and her sisters perform live. Rio chats with rock journalist Lindsey Pierce, who offers the band the '']'' cover. Pierce asks Rio what to call the band; he suggests "Jem and the Holograms."

In a ], Erica, now terminated from Starlight, seeks out a group of punkish young women in a seedy junkyard. She attempts to convince them to form a band to rival the Holograms. When their leader, Pizzazz, learns that Jem and Rio are dating, she takes Erica inside their trailer; graffiti on the side of the group's trailer reveals their name as the Misfits.


==Cast== ==Cast==
{{main|List of Jem characters}}
* ] as Jerrica Benton/Jem, the lead singer of the band
{{Cast listing|
* ] as Jerrica "Jem" Benton, the lead singer of the Jem and the Holograms.
** ] as young Jerrica ** ] as young Jerrica
* ] as Kimber Benton, Jerrica Benton/Jem's younger sister and the keyboardist as well as the primary songwriter of the band * ] as Kimber Benton, the sister of Jerrica.
* ] as Aja Leith, the lead guitarist of the band and right-hand woman to Jerrica/Jem * ] as Aja, the foster sister of Jerrica and Kimber.
* Aurora Perrineau as Shana Elmsford, the bass guitarist of the band * ] as Shana, the foster sister of Jerrica and Kimber.
** Wynter Perrineau as young Shana ** Wynter Perrineau as young Shana
* ] as Erica Raymond<ref name="Juliette"/> * ] as Erica Raymond, a music producer who is a genderbent version of Eric Raymond from the cartoon series.
* ] as Rio Pacheco, the road manager and engineer for the band and Jerrica/Jem's love interest * ] as Mario "Rio" Raymond, the son of Erica Raymond who is based on Rio Pacheco from the cartoon series.
* ] as Aunt Bailey, Jerrica and Kimber's aunt/adoptive mother, as well as the adoptive mother to Aja and Shana. * ] as Aunt Bailey, the aunt of Jerrica and Kimber who is based on Mrs. Bailey from the cartoon series.
* Nathan Moore as Zipper, the main antagonist in the film * Nathan Moore as Zipper, the henchman of Erica Raymond.
* Barnaby Carpenter as Emmet Benton, Jerrica and Kimber's late father * Barnaby Carpenter as Emmett Benton, the late father of Jerrica and Kimber.
* ] as Brad * ] as Stephen, a security guard.
* ] as VJ
* ] as Pizzazz (cameo), the lead singer of the Misfits.
* ] as Roxy (cameo), a member of the Misfits.
* ] as Stormer (cameo), a member of the Misfits.
* ] as Jetta (cameo), a member of the Misfits.
* ] as himself (archive footage)
* ] as himself (archive footage)
* ] as herself (archive footage)
* ] as himself (archive footage)
* ] as Brad (uncredited), a valet
* ] as a Reporter (uncredited)
* ] as herself (uncredited)
* ] as herself (uncredited)
}}


''Jem'' voice actresses ] (Jerrica/Jem's speaking voice)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/geek/2014/10/06/jems-samantha-newark-still-truly-outrageous | title=Jem's Samantha Newark: Still Truly Outrageous | work=] | publisher=] | date=October 6, 2014 | accessdate=March 12, 2015}}</ref> and ] (Jerrica/Jem's singing voice) will have ]s. Cameo appearances from the original TV series cast include: ], the voice of the original Jem, as a hairstylist;<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/geek/2014/10/06/jems-samantha-newark-still-truly-outrageous | title=Jem's Samantha Newark: Still Truly Outrageous | work=] | publisher=] | date=October 6, 2014 | access-date=March 12, 2015}}</ref> ] as a stage manager; and ''Jem''{{'}}s creator ] as Lindsey Pierce, an editor for '']''.


==Production== ==Production==
Given the recent success of '']'' and '']'', ] was rumored to be considering a live-action film with ], with which Hasbro had signed a six-film contract in 2010, or a new incarnation of the animated series.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rowles |first=Dustin |url=http://www.pajiba.com/trade_news/jem-and-the-holograms-movie.php |title=Jem and the Holograms Coming to the Big Screen? |publisher=Pajiba.com |date=2011-08-09 |accessdate=2011-08-09}}</ref> On March 20, 2014, a live-action, motion-picture adaptation of ''Jem and the Holograms'' was announced, to be directed by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deadline.com/2014/03/jason-blum-scooter-braun-prods-jon-chu-team-with-hasbro-on-jem-and-the-holograms/|title=Jason Blum, Scooter Braun Prods & Jon M. Chu Team With Hasbro On 'Jem And The Holograms' Video|work=Deadline.com|date=2014-03-20|accessdate=2014-03-20}}</ref> The next day, on March 21, it was revealed that the original ''Jem'' writer Christy Marx won't be involved in any part of the film's production.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comicsalliance.com/jem-and-the-hologams-creator-christy-marx-shut-out-of-live-action-movie/|title=‘Jem And The Holograms’ Creator Christy Marx Shut Out Of Live Action Movie|work=ComicsAlliance.com|date=2014-03-21|accessdate=2014-03-21}}</ref> In response to her having no part or consultation on the film, Marx defended Chu's sense of ambition for the project via Facebook and has left it to the fans to decide whether or not the project was a "smart decision".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Marx|first1=Christy|title=Christy Marx Clubhouse|url=https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10152262186282559&id=200249107558|website=Facebook|publisher=Christy Marx Clubhouse|accessdate=13 May 2015}}</ref> With the recent successes of the live-action reboots of '']'' and '']'', ] was rumored to be considering a live-action film with ] (Hasbro and Universal had signed a six-film contract in 2010), or a new incarnation of the animated series.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rowles |first=Dustin |url=http://www.pajiba.com/trade_news/jem-and-the-holograms-movie.php |title=Jem and the Holograms Coming to the Big Screen? |publisher=Pajiba.com |date=2011-08-09 |access-date=2011-08-09 |archive-date=July 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713153326/http://www.pajiba.com/trade_news/jem-and-the-holograms-movie.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> On March 20, 2014, a live-action motion picture adaptation of ''Jem and the Holograms'' was announced to be directed by ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/03/jason-blum-scooter-braun-prods-jon-chu-team-with-hasbro-on-jem-and-the-holograms-702044/|title=Jason Blum, Scooter Braun Prods & Jon M. Chu Team With Hasbro On 'Jem And The Holograms' Video|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=2014-03-20|access-date=2014-03-20}}</ref>


Chu has said he had spent ten years developing the film with producer ].<ref name="thr1">{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jem-holograms-director-film-bombing-834476|title='Jem and the Holograms' Director on Film Bombing, Getting "Death Threats" From Show Fans|publisher= ] |date=2015-10-24|access-date=2015-10-25}}</ref> The film's musical producer, ], stated that he drew influence from his work on the career of ].<ref name="How Justin">{{cite interview | title=Scooter Braun on How Justin Bieber Inspired 'Jem and the Holograms' (Q&A) | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/how-justin-bieber-inspired-jem-833877 | publisher=The Hollywood Reporter | date=October 23, 2015 | interviewer=Rebecca Ford | first=Scooter | last=Braun | access-date=June 17, 2016}}</ref> It was later revealed that the original ''Jem'' writer ] was not involved in any part of the film's production.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comicsalliance.com/jem-and-the-hologams-creator-christy-marx-shut-out-of-live-action-movie/ |title='Jem And The Holograms' Creator Christy Marx Shut Out Of Live Action Movie |work=ComicsAlliance.com |date=2014-03-21 |access-date=2014-03-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322114950/http://comicsalliance.com/jem-and-the-hologams-creator-christy-marx-shut-out-of-live-action-movie/ |archive-date=March 22, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In response to her having no part or consultation on the film, Marx defended Chu's sense of ambition for the project via ] and left it up to the fans to decide whether or not the project was a "smart decision".<ref>{{cite web |last=Marx |first=Christy |title=Christy Marx Clubhouse |url=https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10152262186282559&id=200249107558 |website=Facebook |publisher=Christy Marx Clubhouse |access-date=13 May 2015 }}</ref> Her lack of involvement was not permanent, however, and she was granted a minor speaking role near the end of the movie.
===Casting===
In April, it was announced that ] had been cast as Jem, with ] as Kimber, ] as Aja, and ] as Shana.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/notyetamovie/news/?a=98741 |title=First JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS Poster Hits; Cast Announced |publisher=ComicBookMovie.com |date=2014-04-24 |accessdate=2014-04-24}}</ref> On April 30, actor ] was cast as Rio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jem-holograms-finds-rio-698975|title='Jem and the Holograms' Finds Its Rio|work=Hollywood Reporter|date=2014-04-30|accessdate=2014-04-30}}</ref> On May 19, ] was added to the cast of the film.<ref name="Juliette">{{cite web|author1=Jen Yamato|title=‘Jem And The Holograms’ Adds Juliette Lewis In Mystery Role|url=http://deadline.com/2014/05/jem-and-the-holograms-movie-juliette-lewis-733305/|publisher=]|accessdate=2014-05-19|date=2014-05-19}}</ref> On May 20, ] joined the film.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hughes|first=Jason|title=Molly Ringwald, Juliette Lewis Join Cast of ‘Jem and the Holograms’|url=http://www.thewrap.com/molly-ringwald-juliette-lewis-join-cast-of-jem-and-the-holograms/|publisher=TheWrap.com|accessdate=2014-05-20|date=2014-05-20}}</ref>


In April 2014, it was announced that ] had been cast as Jem, with ] as Kimber, ] as Aja, and ] as Shana.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/04/25/jem-and-the-holograms-cast-revealed/8144701/ |title='Jem and the Holograms' cast revealed |publisher=Usatoday.com |date=2014-04-25 |access-date=2015-10-24}}</ref> Peeples had admitted being initially unfamiliar with the franchise although she subsequently became familiar with it and became a fan quickly.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Malkin|first1=Mark|title=NEWS/ Jem and the Holograms Star Aubrey Peeples Teases Movie's Music, Fashion and Possible Sequel|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/555414/jem-and-the-holograms-star-aubrey-peeples-teases-movie-s-music-fashion-and-possible-sequel|website=E!|date=July 2014|access-date=2 November 2015}}</ref> Other parts were announced throughout the next couple of months with actor ] cast as Rio announced on April 30,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jem-holograms-finds-rio-698975|title='Jem and the Holograms' Finds Its Rio|work=Hollywood Reporter|date=2014-04-30|access-date=2014-04-30}}</ref> ]'s involvement on May 19,<ref name="Juliette">{{cite web |author=Jen Yamato|title='Jem and The Holograms' Adds Juliette Lewis In Mystery Role|url=https://deadline.com/2014/05/jem-and-the-holograms-movie-juliette-lewis-733305/|website=]|access-date=2014-05-19|date=2014-05-19}}</ref> and ] on May 20.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hughes|first=Jason|title=Molly Ringwald, Juliette Lewis Join Cast of 'Jem and the Holograms'|url=https://www.thewrap.com/molly-ringwald-juliette-lewis-join-cast-of-jem-and-the-holograms/|publisher=TheWrap.com|access-date=2014-05-20|date=2014-05-20}}</ref> ] began on April 22, 2014, in ],<ref>{{cite news|last=Christine|title='Jem and the Holograms' begins filming in Los Angeles!|url=http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2014/04/22/jem-and-the-holograms-begins-filming-in-los-angeles/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140520093600/http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2014/04/22/jem-and-the-holograms-begins-filming-in-los-angeles/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 20, 2014|work=OnLocationVacations.com|access-date=2014-04-22|date=2014-04-22}}</ref> later on May 19, shooting was underway in ].<ref name="Juliette" /> Shooting ended on May 24, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.studiosystemnews.com/on-the-set-for-52714-johnny-depp-starrer-black-mass-starts-for-warner-bros-jem-and-the-holograms-wraps/ |title=On The Set For 5/27/14: Johnny Depp Starrer 'Black Mass' Starts For Warner Bros., 'Jem and the Holograms' Wraps |publisher=StudioSystemNews.com |date=2014-05-28 |access-date=2014-05-28}}</ref>
===Filming===
] began on April 22, 2014 in ],<ref>{{cite news|last=Christine|title=‘Jem and the Holograms’ begins filming in Los Angeles!|url=http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2014/04/22/jem-and-the-holograms-begins-filming-in-los-angeles/|work=OnLocationVacations.com|accessdate=2014-04-22|date=2014-04-22}}</ref> later on May 19, shooting was underway in ].<ref name="Juliette" /> Shooting ended on May 24, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.studiosystemnews.com/on-the-set-for-52714-johnny-depp-starrer-black-mass-starts-for-warner-bros-jem-and-the-holograms-wraps/ |title=On The Set For 5/27/14: Johnny Depp Starrer ‘Black Mass’ Starts For Warner Bros., ‘Jem and the Holograms’ Wraps |publisher=StudioSystemNews.com |date=2014-05-28 |accessdate=2014-05-28}}</ref>


On October 23, 2015, Chu stated he wanted to make a crossover film between ''Jem and the Holograms'' with '']'' and '']''.<ref> By B.G. Henne Oct 23, 2015, 12:49 PM</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814063812/https://www.movienewsguide.com/transformers-crossover-hasbro-properties-possible-g-joe-jem-hologram-included-hinted-director-jon-chu/112184 |date=August 14, 2017 }} MOVIENEWS , MOVIES / OCT 29, 2015</ref>
==Release==
On October 16, 2014, Universal and Blumhouse announced the film to be released on October 23, 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=124099|title=Jem and the Holograms Headed to Theaters in October 2015|publisher=ComingSoon.net|accessdate=2014-10-16|date=2014-10-16}}</ref>


==Soundtrack==
The soundtrack for the film, featuring original compositions and also songs by ] and ], was released in North America by Silent Records and ] on October 23, 2015.<ref name="iTunes">{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/jem-holograms-original-motion/id1050240573|title=Jem and the Holograms (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Various Artists on iTunes|date=October 23, 2015|publisher=]|access-date=March 27, 2016}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline = ''Jem and the Holograms (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)''<ref name="iTunes"/>
| extra_column = Artist
| title1 = Youngblood
| note1 = featuring Aubrey Peeples and Stefanie Scott
| extra1 = ] & Jem and the Holograms
| length1 = 3:04
| title2 = Hit Me Up
| note2 = featuring Stefanie Scott
| extra2 = Jem and the Holograms
| length2 = 3:36
| title3 = Alone Together
| note3 = featuring Aubrey Peeples
| extra3 = Jem and the Holograms
| length3 = 2:08
| title4 = Cold Blooded
| extra4 = ]
| length4 = 3:35
| title5 = Mi Mi Mi
| extra5 = ]
| length5 = 3:12
| title6 = We Got Heart
| note6 = featuring Aubrey Peeples and Ryan Guzman
| extra6 = Jem and the Holograms
| length6 = 2:57
| title7 = Youngblood
| note7 = featuring Aubrey Peeples and Stefanie Scott
| extra7 = Jem and the Holograms
| length7 = 2:58
| title8 = ]
| extra8 = ]
| length8 = 3:38
| title9 = Movie Star
| extra9 = ]
| length9 = 3:18
| title10 = The Way I Was
| note10 = featuring Aubrey Peeples
| extra10 = Jem and the Holograms
| length10 = 3:43
| title11 = Life of the Party
| extra11 = ]
| length11 = 3:26
| title12 = I'm Still Here
| extra12 = Jem and the Holograms
| length12 = 3:44
| title13 = Got It
| extra13 = ]
| length13 = 3:12
}}

==Release==
===Marketing=== ===Marketing===
On February 25, 2015, the first official image from the film was released, featuring Peeples as Jem, Scott as Kimber and Kiyoko as Aja performing on stage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/jem-holograms-movie-first-photo-plot-summary-1201442731/|title= 'Jem and the Holograms' Movie: First Photo Released|publisher=Variety |date=2015-02-28 |access-date=2015-02-28}}</ref> On May 12, 2015, director Chu revealed the first official film poster.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/jonmchu/status/598171770378563584|title=Jon M. Chu on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=May 12, 2015}}</ref> The next day, on May 13, a ] was released online,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/jarettwieselman/jem-and-the-holograms-trailer#.qoO4jReLK | title=The 'Jem And The Holograms' Trailer Features More Than Just Music And Make-Up | work=] | date=May 12, 2015 | access-date=May 12, 2015}}</ref> which was attached to the theatrical run of fellow female-centric Universal film '']''. On August 11, a second trailer was released,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://nerdist.com/the-second-jem-the-holograms-trailer-has-arrived/ | title=The Second JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS Trailer Has Arrived | work=] | date=August 11, 2015 | access-date=August 11, 2015 | archive-date=August 20, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820094327/http://nerdist.com/the-second-jem-the-holograms-trailer-has-arrived/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> this time featuring the robot 51N3RG.Y (pronounced ''synergy'') which itself was based on the supercomputer of the original cartoon series, which generates and holographically projects the band's images and creates their special effects during stage performances. Critics responded negatively to the May 2015 trailer, noting that the reboot seems to share little with its animated predecessor.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/13/entertainment/jem-holograms-trailer-feat/index.html|title='Jem and the Holograms' trailer isn't as magical as you expected|publisher=CNN|date=2015-05-13|access-date=2015-05-13}}</ref> Hillary Crosley Coker of ''Jezebel'' commented that the film "looks like a less interesting version of '']''{{-"}}.<ref name=jezebelinreac>{{cite web|last1=Coker|first1=Hillary Crosley|title=Here's the New Jem and the Holograms Trailer. I Think I Hate It |url=http://jezebel.com/heres-the-new-jem-and-the-holograms-trailer-i-think-i-1704160551|work=Jezebel|date=May 13, 2015|access-date=13 May 2015}}</ref> '']'' noted the trailer's low rating on its official YouTube page,<ref name=uproxxtrailer>{{cite web|last1=Kurp|first1=Josh|title=The Internet's Reaction To The 'Jem And The Holograms' Trailer Is Truly Outrageously Bad|url=http://uproxx.com/movies/2015/05/jem-and-the-holograms-trailer/|website=Uproxx|date=May 13, 2015|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref><ref name=youtubeaus>{{cite web|title=Jem and the Holograms (2015) Trailer 1 (HD) Universal Pictures|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfa9t-TeeVU|website=YouTube| date=May 12, 2015 |publisher=Universal Pictures Australia|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> while '']'' wrote that the changes to the original plot have "disappointed '80s kids everywhere", then highlighted multiple negative fan reactions.<ref name=huffpocanada>{{cite web |last=Zamon |first=Rebecca |title=Jem And The Holograms Trailer Disappoints '80s Kids Everywhere |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/05/13/jem-and-the-holograms-trailer_n_7277464.html |website=] |date=May 13, 2015 |access-date=14 May 2015 }}</ref> Williesha Morris, also writing for ''Huffington'', criticized the film's re-imagining of the Jerrica character, stating that the original cartoon "represented female empowerment, not angst".<ref name=huffpousa>{{cite web|last1=Morris|first1=Williesha|title=More Than Missing Misfits: 3 Reasons Why 'Jem & The Holograms' Is Hollywood's Worst Cartoon-Based Flick|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/williesha-morris/more-than-missing-misfits_b_7283050.html |work=] |date=May 14, 2015|access-date=May 15, 2015}}</ref> Scott and Blum have both addressed the negative reactions by asking fans to reserve judgment until release. Scott stated that "I think that they have to see the movie to understand that things that they think are missing ''are'' in there." Blum has described the film as being "a hundred percent true to the spirit of ''Jem''".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefrisky.com/2015-05-23/producer-star-both-defend-awful-jem-trailer/|title=Producer, Star Both Defend Awful 'Jem' Trailer|first=Jenn|last=Frank|publisher=The Frisky|date=2015-05-23|access-date=2015-05-24|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611224542/http://www.thefrisky.com/2015-05-23/producer-star-both-defend-awful-jem-trailer/|archive-date=June 11, 2017}}</ref>
On February 25, 2015, the first official image from the film was released, featuring Peeples as Jem, Scott as Kimber, and Kiyoko as Aja performing on stage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://variety.com/2015/film/news/jem-holograms-movie-first-photo-plot-summary-1201442731/|title= ‘Jem and the Holograms’ Movie: First Photo Released|publisher=Variety |date=2015-02-28 |accessdate=2015-02-28}}</ref>


===Home media===
On May 12, 2015, director Chu revealed the first official film poster.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/jonmchu/status/598171770378563584|title=Jon M. Chu on Twitter|work=Twitter|accessdate=May 12, 2015}}</ref> The next day, on May 13, a ] was released online.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.buzzfeed.com/jarettwieselman/jem-and-the-holograms-trailer#.qoO4jReLK | title=The 'Jem And The Holograms' Trailer Features More Than Just Music And Make-Up | work=] | date=May 12, 2015 | accessdate=May 12, 2015}}</ref> On August 11, a second trailer was released.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://nerdist.com/the-second-jem-the-holograms-trailer-has-arrived/ | title=The Second JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS Trailer Has Arrived | work=] | date=August 11, 2015 | accessdate=August 11, 2015}}</ref>
''Jem and the Holograms'' received a ] and ]/DVD combo release on January 19, 2016. Special features include twelve ]s, an ] by director Chu, a ], a ] for "Youngblood" and a featurette titled "''Glam, Glitter, Fashion, and Fame: The Reinvention of Jem''".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=18036 | title=Jem and the Holograms | work=Blu-ray.com | date=November 30, 2015 | access-date=December 1, 2015}}</ref>


==Reception==
A second trailer was released last August 11, 2015, this time featuring the robot 'synergy' (stylized as 51n3rg.y) which was based on the original cartoon series' computer program that projects the band's images and creates their special effects during their performances.
===Box office===
''Jem and the Holograms'' opened theatrically in North America on October 23, 2015, alongside '']'', '']'' and '']'', as well as the ] of fellow Universal drama '']''. It was initially projected for a $5 million opening weekend, but was lowered to $3 million after Thursday night previews earning $34,000 ($36 per theater average).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/10/the-last-witch-hunter-paranormal-activity-ghost-dimension-jem-and-the-hologram-box-office-1201592008/ |title= 'The Martian' Returning To No. 1 Above Five-Pic Logjam; 'Jem' & 'Kasbah' Crashing |website=Deadline Hollywood|date= October 25, 2015 }}</ref> The film ultimately opened fifteenth at the box office with $1.4 million, the worst opening of 2015, the fourth worst opening ever for a film screening in more than 2,000 theaters and the worst ever for a film released by ].<ref name=BOMWOrstWideOpenings>{{cite web|title=WORST WIDE OPENINGS 1982–present|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/worstopenings.htm?page=WRSTOPN20&sort=opening&order=ASC&p=.htm|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=August 31, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4116&p=.htm|title= 'Jem', 'Kasbah' & 'Witch Hunter' Flop Putting 'The Martian' Back On Top|work=Box Office Mojo|quote=Jem and the Holograms brought in an estimated $1.3 million, the fourth worst opening for a film in more than 2,000 theaters and the worst for a film playing in more than 2,400 theaters.}}</ref><ref name="thr1" /> On November 10, just over two weeks later, Universal removed ''Jem'' from theaters entirely. Jason Guerrasio of '']'' described the pull as "an unheard of move for a movie that was in theaters nationwide."<ref>{{Cite web|title = This movie did so terribly that Universal has pulled it from over 2,000 theaters|url = http://www.businessinsider.com/box-office-jem-and-the-holograms-did-universal-yanked-it-after-two-weeks-2015-11?r=UK&IR=T|website = ]|access-date = 2015-11-10}}</ref>


An international roll-out began the same weekend as its North American release, including ],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Jem-and-the-Holograms/Slovenia#tab=summary|title=Slovenia Box Office for Jem and the Holograms (2015)|work=The Numbers|access-date=2015-12-03}}</ref> ], ], ], ], the ] and ]. It never made theatrical release in ], instead being issued ].
===Reception===
Critics responded negatively to the May 2015 trailer for the film, noting that the reboot seems to share little with its animated predecessor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/13/entertainment/jem-holograms-trailer-feat/index.html|title='Jem and the Holograms' trailer isn't as magical as you expected|publisher=CNN|date=2015-05-13|accessdate=2015-05-13}}</ref> Hillary Crosley Coker of ''Jezebel'' commented that the film "looks like a less interesting version of '']''{{-"}}.<ref name=jezebelinreac>{{cite web|last1=Coker|first1=Hillary Crosley|title=Here's the New Jem and the Holograms Trailer. I Think I Hate It |url=http://jezebel.com/heres-the-new-jem-and-the-holograms-trailer-i-think-i-1704160551|website=Jezebel|accessdate=13 May 2015}}</ref> Ben Kuchera of ''Polygon'' described the trailer as "a dull, suburbia-to-riches story that starts on YouTube and ends with Juliette Lewis giving these kids ]–style makeovers".<ref name=polygon>{{cite web|last1=Kuchera|first1=Ben|title=The Jem and the Holograms trailer stomps on everything that made the cartoon great|url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/5/13/8596099/jem-live-action-trailer|publisher=Polygon|accessdate=13 May 2015}}</ref> ''Uproxx'' noted the trailer's low rating on its official YouTube page,<ref name=uproxxtrailer>{{cite web|last1=Kurp|first1=Josh|title=The Internet’s Reaction To The ‘Jem And The Holograms’ Trailer Is Truly Outrageously Bad|url=http://uproxx.com/movies/2015/05/jem-and-the-holograms-trailer/|website=Uproxx|accessdate=14 May 2015}}</ref><ref name=youtubeaus>{{cite web|title=Jem and the Holograms (2015) Trailer 1 (HD) Universal Pictures|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfa9t-TeeVU|website=YouTube|publisher=Universal Pictures Australia|accessdate=14 May 2015}}</ref> while '']'' in Canada wrote that the changes to the original plot have "disappointed '80s kids everywhere", then highlighted multiple negative fan reactions.<ref name=huffpocanada>{{cite web|last1=Zamon|first1=Rebecca|title=Jem And The Holograms Trailer Disappoints '80s Kids Everywhere|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/05/13/jem-and-the-holograms-trailer_n_7277464.html|website=] |accessdate=14 May 2015}}</ref> Williesha Morris, also writing for ''The Huffington Post'', criticized the film's re-imagining of the Jerrica character, stating that the original cartoon "represented female empowerment, not angst". She also labeled it "Hollywood's worst cartoon-based flick".<ref name=huffpousa>{{cite web|last1=Morris|first1=Williesha|title=More Than Missing Misfits: 3 Reasons Why 'Jem & The Holograms' Is Hollywood's Worst Cartoon-Based Flick|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/williesha-morris/more-than-missing-misfits_b_7283050.html |work=] |accessdate=15 May 2015}}</ref>


''Jem'' grossed $2,184,640 in the United States and Canada, and $149,044 overseas, bringing its worldwide total to $2,333,684.<ref name="TheNumbers">{{cite web |title= Jem and the Holograms (2015) - Financial Information |url= http://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Jem-and-the-Holograms#tab=summary |website= ] }}</ref>
Kimber's actress Scott and producer Blum have both addressed the negative reactions by asking fans to reserve judgment until the film is released. Scott stated that "I think that they have to see the movie to understand that things that they think are missing ''are'' in there." While Blum has referred to the film as being "hundred percent true to the spirit of Jem".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefrisky.com/2015-05-23/producer-star-both-defend-awful-jem-trailer/|title=Producer, Star Both Defend Awful 'Jem' Trailer|publisher=The Frisky|date=2015-05-23|accessdate=2015-05-24}}</ref>


== See also == ===Critical reception===
{{quote box | width=25% | align=right | quote=I get fans sending me hate mail, I get death threats, I get racist remarks — it's a really fun business. ... Reviewers have been harsh, to say it lightly.|source=—Jon M. Chu, Director<ref name="thr1" />}}
{{Portal bar|2010s|Film}}

] website ] reports an approval rating of 22% based on 79 reviews, with an average rating of 3.90/10. The site's consensus reads, "''Jem and the Holograms'' ignores its source material's goofy charm in favor of bland by-the-numbers drama."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jem_and_the_holograms_2015/ | title=''Jem and the Holograms'' (2015) | work=] | publisher=] | access-date=December 2, 2020 }}</ref> ] gives a score of 42 out of 100, based on 16 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/jem-and-the-holograms | title=''Jem and the Holograms'' Reviews | work=] | publisher=] | access-date=February 1, 2020 }}</ref> Audiences polled by ] gave an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.<ref name="DeadlineCinemascore">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2015/10/the-last-witch-hunter-paranormal-activity-ghost-dimension-jem-and-the-hologram-box-office-1201592008/ |title=Weekend Box Office: 'Last Witch Hunter', 'Paranormal Activity' Opening - Deadline |author=Anthony D'Alessandro |website=] |date=October 25, 2015 |access-date=October 26, 2020 |quote=The film's B+ CinemaScore doesn't mean anything: Very few were in the theater. }}</ref>

Among both positive and negative reviewers alike, Lewis's performance was singled out for praise. Pam Powell of the '']'' wrote "Juliette Lewis seems to have the most fun role as the evil, self-serving, egomaniac music manager who will stop at nothing to lure the young and trusting singer into her lair. She’s over-the-top, but in a very entertaining way... able to seem completely honest when telling reporters about how genuine and real Jem is immediately following a scene where she’s given the Holograms what amounts to forced corporate makeovers."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.daily-journal.com/entertainment/reel_talk/jem-makes-fun-of-itself-and-has-positive-message/article_0c326b38-78fa-11e5-b907-a737246c48a1.html|title = "Jem" makes fun of itself and has positive message| date=October 22, 2015 }}</ref> Dominic Griffin, writing for ''Spectrum Culture'', noted a "career-best turn from Lewis, operating so many miles ahead of her co-stars and the film they’re all stuck in that she’s ducking clouds, meteorites and the surface of the sun itself, delivering a master class in the expressive power of narrowing one’s eyes at exactly the right moment".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://spectrumculture.com/2015/10/22/jem-and-the-holograms | title=Jem and the Holograms | date=October 23, 2015 }}</ref> Courtney Howard of ''Fresh Fiction'' wrote "who really steals the show is Lewis. She brings her bonafide rock-star swagger to the fold and plays it to the hilt – never going campy. Her version of a ]-esque character in this origin story exudes charisma, sass and dedication."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://freshfiction.tv/movie-review-glamour-glitter-fashion-fame-rule-jem-and-the-holograms|title = Movie Review: 'JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS' is Sufficiently Outrageous|date = October 22, 2015}}</ref>

Charlie Anders of '']'' wrote "This movie outsources its biggest moments of narrative intensity to random YouTube vids, which is a filmic choice so incomprehensible, I'm tempted to interpret it as some kind of grand statement of Dada anti-meaning."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/jem-and-the-holograms-fails-in-a-way-that-ive-never-see-1738221334|title=Jem and the Holograms Fails in a Way That I've Never Seen a Movie Fail Before|date=October 23, 2015 }}</ref> Genevieve Kosky of '']'' wrote that the movie "not only fails resoundingly as a film, but also fails as a nostalgia piece — which, honestly, might be the greater sin in today’s pop cultureverse", and opined that it should have been more like 2001's adaptation of '']''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vox.com/2015/10/24/9605582/jem-and-the-holograms-review-josie|title=5 lessons the truly, truly terrible Jem and the Holograms could learn from Josie and the Pussycats|date=October 24, 2015}}</ref> Scott Tobias of '']'' concurred, writing "Few critics gave ''Josie'' enough credit for cleverly subverting the teen-pop musical, but ''Jem'' preys so rapaciously on its target demographic that it holds the virtues of the earlier film in sharp relief. ''Jem and the Holograms'' is '']'' to ''Josie and the Pussycats''' '']''".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.npr.org/2015/10/22/450602635/something-is-happening-on-the-internet-and-jem-is-not-really-on-it|title = Something is Happening on the Internet, and 'Jem' is Not Really on It|newspaper = NPR|date = October 22, 2015|last1 = Tobias|first1 = Scott}}</ref>

Geoff Berkshire of '']'' praised Peeples' performance, noting that she "keeps the film watchable", as well as Lewis as "a nonsensical bitch-on-wheels caricature with offbeat line readings and live-wire energy", and noted that "a generally unremarkable tech package — cinematography, sound, costuming & makeup, etc. — at least provides a modest showcase for costume designer ], makeup head Mary Klimek and hairstylist Vanessa Price, who come the closest to channeling the vibrant spirit of the ''Jem'' cartoons that originally made fans fall in love."<ref name="variety">{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/jem-and-the-holograms-film-review-1201623589/ | title='Jem and the Holograms' Review: '80s Cartoon Comes to Life | work=Geoff Berkshire | publisher=] | date=October 22, 2015 | access-date=October 22, 2015}}</ref>

], editor-in-chief of ], gave 3 out of 4 stars, stating that the film "is one of the weirdest big screen adaptations of a cheap TV cartoon that I've seen", giving his observation that the film even sometimes evokes the films of ], a filmmaker known for his films' lush cinematography and reflective nature. Seitz's overall conclusion is that " not a good film in terms of plot or tonal consistency, and it offers almost nothing in the way of true conflict, but it's always an observant and sincere movie, and occasionally a beautiful and deep one."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Seitz|first1=Matt Zoller|title=Jem and the Holograms Movie Review (2015)|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/jem-and-the-holograms-2015|website=RogerEbert.com|publisher=Ebert Digital LLC|access-date=June 20, 2016|date=October 23, 2015}}</ref>

Glen Heath Jr., writing for '']'', wrote that "If Chu can't quite decide which genre or story to embrace – this version of Jem clumsily mixes rock opera, sci-fi and melodrama – he's in brilliant control of certain moments that merge new technology and classical Hollywood editing... the film doesn't deserve the vitriol lobbed at it by dismissive critics and angry fans. Chu's weird, heartfelt vision has a distinct perspective regarding online wanderlust and understands the vibrancy of color... But most of all it appreciates the tenacious will to be real in a world where everything is an illusion."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lwlies.com/reviews/jem-and-the-holograms|title=Jem and the Holograms review}}</ref>

===Contest controversy===
In March 2014, the film's producers opened an online contest encouraging fans to create short videos describing their love of the original ''Jem'' animated series and what a film version would mean to them. The winners were initially to be offered a small role in the film; this was later changed to having the videos themselves featured. In the final production, the fan footage was interspersed with clips of celebrities and edited in such a manner that the fans appeared to be talking about the film's version of the characters. The fans with submitted footage were not informed as to how it would be used; this was perceived as fans being misled into providing positive reviews for a film they had not yet seen, resulting in many being upset by the manipulation of their perspectives on the character and series in light of how unlike the original series the premise of the film was.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.indiewire.com/2015/10/how-the-jem-and-the-holograms-movie-manipulates-its-biggest-fans-56325/ | title= How the 'Jem and the Holograms' Movie Manipulates Its Biggest Fans | date= October 22, 2015 | publisher=] | access-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|30em}} {{Reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Official Website|http://www.jemthemovie.com}}
* {{Official website|http://www.jemthemovie.com}}
* {{IMDb title|3614530|Jem and the Holograms}} * {{IMDb title|3614530|Jem and the Holograms}}
* {{tcmdb title|2020888|Jem and the Holograms}} * {{Mojo title|jemandtheholograms|Jem and the Holograms}}
* {{mojo title|jemandtheholograms|Jem and the Holograms}} * {{Rotten Tomatoes|jem_and_the_holograms|Jem and the Holograms}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|jem_and_the_holograms_2015|Jem and the Holograms}}
* {{metacritic film|jem-and-the-holograms|Jem and the Holograms}}


{{Jem and the Holograms}}
{{Hasbro Studios}}
{{Allspark and Entertainment One}}
{{Jon M. Chu}} {{Jon M. Chu}}
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Latest revision as of 21:14, 21 December 2024

2015 musical drama film

Jem and the Holograms
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJon M. Chu
Screenplay byRyan Landels
Based onJem
by Christy Marx
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyAlice Brooks
Edited by
  • Jillian Moul
  • Michael Trent
Music byNathan Lanier
Production
companies
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • October 23, 2015 (2015-10-23)
Running time118 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$5 million
Box office$2.3 million

Jem and the Holograms is a 2015 American musical drama film produced and directed by Jon M. Chu, written by Ryan Landels, and starring Aubrey Peeples (as the title character), Stefanie Scott, Hayley Kiyoko, Aurora Perrineau, Ryan Guzman, Molly Ringwald and Juliette Lewis. Loosely based on Christy Marx's 1980s animated television series Jem, the film was produced by Allspark Pictures (a subsidiary of Hasbro Studios) and Blumhouse Productions.

Chu's interest in developing a film adaptation of Jem is based on having grown up watching the original series with his sisters. He had attempted to make the film 11 years earlier, but was rejected by Universal due to the cost.

Jem and the Holograms was theatrically released on October 23, 2015, by Universal Pictures. The film was a financial failure, grossing $2.3 million worldwide on a $5 million budget and receiving mixed reviews from critics.

Plot

Jerrica Benton and her younger sister, Kimber, live with their Aunt Bailey and two foster sisters, Aja and Shana. The four girls frequently videotape themselves playing music and wearing colorful outfits, but the shy Jerrica refuses to be videotaped while singing. Jerrica discovers that, due to Aunt Bailey's financial problems, their house will be auctioned. To vent her frustration, Jerrica puts on a wig and makeup and records a video of herself singing a song she wrote.

Jerrica is interrupted just before she is about to delete the video, and Kimber uploads the video to YouTube. The video attracts millions of views in a single day. Jerrica is offered a record deal by Starlight Productions and travels to Los Angeles with her sisters. They meet music producer Erica Raymond and her son Rio. Erica is polite and courteous with the quartet, but shows particular interest in Jerrica, who she sees as a potential superstar.

The girls settle down in L.A. and discuss their next move. They have brought along a small robot called 51N3RG.Y (pronounced synergy), which was invented by Jerrica's deceased father, Emmett. The robot suddenly activates itself and leads them on a scavenger hunt. Each clue represents something Jerrica did or wanted to do with her father. The objective is to find several missing pieces designed to fit into the robot to be fully activated. The girls find the first piece on the Santa Monica Pier. They find the second clue in a guitar once owned by Emmett when, by coincidence, the band plays live.

Rio and Jerrica begin to develop romantic feelings for each other, much to Erica's dismay. Erica assigns Rio to another singer in an attempt to keep him away from Jerrica. Aunt Bailey tells Jerrica via FaceTime that their house is going for auction in a few days. Desperate to save the home, Jerrica asks Erica for an advance. Erica says she will oblige if Jerrica agrees to leave her sisters and go solo. Jerrica relents, believing Erica's decision will benefit her sisters and Aunt Bailey. When Jerrica's sisters find out, they denounce her for leaving them out of the deal and depart. After a dull solo performance, Jerrica becomes regretful and visits the L.A. house where she used to live with Kimber and her father.

Jerrica's sisters arrive and reconcile with her. They vow to help finish the scavenger hunt, and Rio joins them. Jerrica realizes that the last pieces of the puzzle are the earrings Emmett bequeathed to her, but Erica had them taken during her first visit to Starlight. The earrings are now stored in Erica's office. Rio and the girls break into Starlight and almost get caught by Erica, but succeed in retrieving the earrings. The reward is a final holographic message from Emmett. The group also discover Rio's late father's will, which grants him a majority of Starlight shares, effectively putting him in control of the company.

With the house safe, Jem and her sisters perform live. Rio chats with rock journalist Lindsey Pierce, who offers the band the Rolling Stone cover. Pierce asks Rio what to call the band; he suggests "Jem and the Holograms."

In a mid-credits scene, Erica, now terminated from Starlight, seeks out a group of punkish young women in a seedy junkyard. She attempts to convince them to form a band to rival the Holograms. When their leader, Pizzazz, learns that Jem and Rio are dating, she takes Erica inside their trailer; graffiti on the side of the group's trailer reveals their name as the Misfits.

Cast

Main article: List of Jem characters
  • Aubrey Peeples as Jerrica "Jem" Benton, the lead singer of the Jem and the Holograms.
  • Stefanie Scott as Kimber Benton, the sister of Jerrica.
  • Hayley Kiyoko as Aja, the foster sister of Jerrica and Kimber.
  • Aurora Perrineau as Shana, the foster sister of Jerrica and Kimber.
    • Wynter Perrineau as young Shana
  • Juliette Lewis as Erica Raymond, a music producer who is a genderbent version of Eric Raymond from the cartoon series.
  • Ryan Guzman as Mario "Rio" Raymond, the son of Erica Raymond who is based on Rio Pacheco from the cartoon series.
  • Molly Ringwald as Aunt Bailey, the aunt of Jerrica and Kimber who is based on Mrs. Bailey from the cartoon series.
  • Nathan Moore as Zipper, the henchman of Erica Raymond.
  • Barnaby Carpenter as Emmett Benton, the late father of Jerrica and Kimber.
  • Ryan Hansen as Stephen, a security guard.
  • Quddus as VJ
  • Kesha as Pizzazz (cameo), the lead singer of the Misfits.
  • Hana Mae Lee as Roxy (cameo), a member of the Misfits.
  • Katie Findlay as Stormer (cameo), a member of the Misfits.
  • Eiza González as Jetta (cameo), a member of the Misfits.
  • Jimmy Fallon as himself (archive footage)
  • Dwayne Johnson as himself (archive footage)
  • Alicia Keys as herself (archive footage)
  • Chris Pratt as himself (archive footage)
  • Nicholas Braun as Brad (uncredited), a valet
  • Jamie Bernadette as a Reporter (uncredited)
  • Ariana Grande as herself (uncredited)
  • Djoir Jordan as herself (uncredited)

Cameo appearances from the original TV series cast include: Samantha Newark, the voice of the original Jem, as a hairstylist; Britta Phillips as a stage manager; and Jem's creator Christy Marx as Lindsey Pierce, an editor for Rolling Stone.

Production

With the recent successes of the live-action reboots of G.I. Joe and Transformers, Hasbro was rumored to be considering a live-action film with Universal Studios (Hasbro and Universal had signed a six-film contract in 2010), or a new incarnation of the animated series. On March 20, 2014, a live-action motion picture adaptation of Jem and the Holograms was announced to be directed by Jon M. Chu.

Chu has said he had spent ten years developing the film with producer Jason Blum. The film's musical producer, Scooter Braun, stated that he drew influence from his work on the career of Justin Bieber. It was later revealed that the original Jem writer Christy Marx was not involved in any part of the film's production. In response to her having no part or consultation on the film, Marx defended Chu's sense of ambition for the project via Facebook and left it up to the fans to decide whether or not the project was a "smart decision". Her lack of involvement was not permanent, however, and she was granted a minor speaking role near the end of the movie.

In April 2014, it was announced that Aubrey Peeples had been cast as Jem, with Stefanie Scott as Kimber, Hayley Kiyoko as Aja, and Aurora Perrineau as Shana. Peeples had admitted being initially unfamiliar with the franchise although she subsequently became familiar with it and became a fan quickly. Other parts were announced throughout the next couple of months with actor Ryan Guzman cast as Rio announced on April 30, Juliette Lewis's involvement on May 19, and Molly Ringwald on May 20. Principal photography began on April 22, 2014, in Van Nuys, later on May 19, shooting was underway in Los Angeles. Shooting ended on May 24, 2014.

On October 23, 2015, Chu stated he wanted to make a crossover film between Jem and the Holograms with Transformers and G.I. Joe.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack for the film, featuring original compositions and also songs by Hailee Steinfeld and Dawin, was released in North America by Silent Records and Republic Records on October 23, 2015.

Jem and the Holograms (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
No.TitleArtistLength
1."Youngblood" (featuring Aubrey Peeples and Stefanie Scott)Hilary Duff & Jem and the Holograms3:04
2."Hit Me Up" (featuring Stefanie Scott)Jem and the Holograms3:36
3."Alone Together" (featuring Aubrey Peeples)Jem and the Holograms2:08
4."Cold Blooded"Ida Maria3:35
5."Mi Mi Mi"Serebro3:12
6."We Got Heart" (featuring Aubrey Peeples and Ryan Guzman)Jem and the Holograms2:57
7."Youngblood" (featuring Aubrey Peeples and Stefanie Scott)Jem and the Holograms2:58
8."Love Myself"Hailee Steinfeld3:38
9."Movie Star"Hayley Kiyoko3:18
10."The Way I Was" (featuring Aubrey Peeples)Jem and the Holograms3:43
11."Life of the Party"Dawin3:26
12."I'm Still Here"Jem and the Holograms3:44
13."Got It"Marian Hill3:12

Release

Marketing

On February 25, 2015, the first official image from the film was released, featuring Peeples as Jem, Scott as Kimber and Kiyoko as Aja performing on stage. On May 12, 2015, director Chu revealed the first official film poster. The next day, on May 13, a trailer was released online, which was attached to the theatrical run of fellow female-centric Universal film Pitch Perfect 2. On August 11, a second trailer was released, this time featuring the robot 51N3RG.Y (pronounced synergy) which itself was based on the supercomputer of the original cartoon series, which generates and holographically projects the band's images and creates their special effects during stage performances. Critics responded negatively to the May 2015 trailer, noting that the reboot seems to share little with its animated predecessor. Hillary Crosley Coker of Jezebel commented that the film "looks like a less interesting version of Beyond the Lights". Uproxx noted the trailer's low rating on its official YouTube page, while The Huffington Post Canada wrote that the changes to the original plot have "disappointed '80s kids everywhere", then highlighted multiple negative fan reactions. Williesha Morris, also writing for Huffington, criticized the film's re-imagining of the Jerrica character, stating that the original cartoon "represented female empowerment, not angst". Scott and Blum have both addressed the negative reactions by asking fans to reserve judgment until release. Scott stated that "I think that they have to see the movie to understand that things that they think are missing are in there." Blum has described the film as being "a hundred percent true to the spirit of Jem".

Home media

Jem and the Holograms received a DVD and Blu-ray/DVD combo release on January 19, 2016. Special features include twelve deleted scenes, an audio commentary by director Chu, a gag reel, a music video for "Youngblood" and a featurette titled "Glam, Glitter, Fashion, and Fame: The Reinvention of Jem".

Reception

Box office

Jem and the Holograms opened theatrically in North America on October 23, 2015, alongside The Last Witch Hunter, Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension and Rock the Kasbah, as well as the wide release of fellow Universal drama Steve Jobs. It was initially projected for a $5 million opening weekend, but was lowered to $3 million after Thursday night previews earning $34,000 ($36 per theater average). The film ultimately opened fifteenth at the box office with $1.4 million, the worst opening of 2015, the fourth worst opening ever for a film screening in more than 2,000 theaters and the worst ever for a film released by a major studio. On November 10, just over two weeks later, Universal removed Jem from theaters entirely. Jason Guerrasio of Business Insider described the pull as "an unheard of move for a movie that was in theaters nationwide."

An international roll-out began the same weekend as its North American release, including Slovenia, Croatia, Iceland, Norway, Singapore, the United Kingdom and France. It never made theatrical release in Australia, instead being issued direct-to-DVD.

Jem grossed $2,184,640 in the United States and Canada, and $149,044 overseas, bringing its worldwide total to $2,333,684.

Critical reception

I get fans sending me hate mail, I get death threats, I get racist remarks — it's a really fun business. ... Reviewers have been harsh, to say it lightly.

—Jon M. Chu, Director

Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports an approval rating of 22% based on 79 reviews, with an average rating of 3.90/10. The site's consensus reads, "Jem and the Holograms ignores its source material's goofy charm in favor of bland by-the-numbers drama." Metacritic gives a score of 42 out of 100, based on 16 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.

Among both positive and negative reviewers alike, Lewis's performance was singled out for praise. Pam Powell of the Daily Journal wrote "Juliette Lewis seems to have the most fun role as the evil, self-serving, egomaniac music manager who will stop at nothing to lure the young and trusting singer into her lair. She’s over-the-top, but in a very entertaining way... able to seem completely honest when telling reporters about how genuine and real Jem is immediately following a scene where she’s given the Holograms what amounts to forced corporate makeovers." Dominic Griffin, writing for Spectrum Culture, noted a "career-best turn from Lewis, operating so many miles ahead of her co-stars and the film they’re all stuck in that she’s ducking clouds, meteorites and the surface of the sun itself, delivering a master class in the expressive power of narrowing one’s eyes at exactly the right moment". Courtney Howard of Fresh Fiction wrote "who really steals the show is Lewis. She brings her bonafide rock-star swagger to the fold and plays it to the hilt – never going campy. Her version of a Ra’s-Al-Ghul-esque character in this origin story exudes charisma, sass and dedication."

Charlie Anders of io9 wrote "This movie outsources its biggest moments of narrative intensity to random YouTube vids, which is a filmic choice so incomprehensible, I'm tempted to interpret it as some kind of grand statement of Dada anti-meaning." Genevieve Kosky of Vox wrote that the movie "not only fails resoundingly as a film, but also fails as a nostalgia piece — which, honestly, might be the greater sin in today’s pop cultureverse", and opined that it should have been more like 2001's adaptation of Josie and the Pussycats. Scott Tobias of National Public Radio concurred, writing "Few critics gave Josie enough credit for cleverly subverting the teen-pop musical, but Jem preys so rapaciously on its target demographic that it holds the virtues of the earlier film in sharp relief. Jem and the Holograms is Mac and Me to Josie and the Pussycats' E.T.".

Geoff Berkshire of Variety praised Peeples' performance, noting that she "keeps the film watchable", as well as Lewis as "a nonsensical bitch-on-wheels caricature with offbeat line readings and live-wire energy", and noted that "a generally unremarkable tech package — cinematography, sound, costuming & makeup, etc. — at least provides a modest showcase for costume designer Soyon An, makeup head Mary Klimek and hairstylist Vanessa Price, who come the closest to channeling the vibrant spirit of the Jem cartoons that originally made fans fall in love."

Matt Zoller Seitz, editor-in-chief of RogerEbert.com, gave 3 out of 4 stars, stating that the film "is one of the weirdest big screen adaptations of a cheap TV cartoon that I've seen", giving his observation that the film even sometimes evokes the films of Terrence Malick, a filmmaker known for his films' lush cinematography and reflective nature. Seitz's overall conclusion is that " not a good film in terms of plot or tonal consistency, and it offers almost nothing in the way of true conflict, but it's always an observant and sincere movie, and occasionally a beautiful and deep one."

Glen Heath Jr., writing for Little White Lies, wrote that "If Chu can't quite decide which genre or story to embrace – this version of Jem clumsily mixes rock opera, sci-fi and melodrama – he's in brilliant control of certain moments that merge new technology and classical Hollywood editing... the film doesn't deserve the vitriol lobbed at it by dismissive critics and angry fans. Chu's weird, heartfelt vision has a distinct perspective regarding online wanderlust and understands the vibrancy of color... But most of all it appreciates the tenacious will to be real in a world where everything is an illusion."

Contest controversy

In March 2014, the film's producers opened an online contest encouraging fans to create short videos describing their love of the original Jem animated series and what a film version would mean to them. The winners were initially to be offered a small role in the film; this was later changed to having the videos themselves featured. In the final production, the fan footage was interspersed with clips of celebrities and edited in such a manner that the fans appeared to be talking about the film's version of the characters. The fans with submitted footage were not informed as to how it would be used; this was perceived as fans being misled into providing positive reviews for a film they had not yet seen, resulting in many being upset by the manipulation of their perspectives on the character and series in light of how unlike the original series the premise of the film was.

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External links

Jem and the Holograms
Christy Marx
Roger Slifer
Samantha Newark
Aubrey Peeples
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See also
Films directed by Jon M. Chu
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