Xanadu (1980)

The critic notes that Xanadu has undergone a radical reappraisal as camp thanks to its Broadway adaptation, unlike its 1980 peers. They single out its garish production design and unintentional naivety as making it an ideal camp masterpiece.

The critic finds the musical falls flat due to a ludicrous premise and Newton-John's lack of screen presence in the ethereal role. It singles out the cynical, exploitative pastiche of Golden Age MGM musicals with no real affection, despite highlights like the Gene Kelly duet.

The film is a mushy and limp musical fantasy that evaporates before the eyes with thin plotting and poor execution. It offers little beyond Olivia Newton-John's appeal and a few Gene Kelly moments.

The critic views Xanadu as a monument to bad taste with inept musical numbers and wooden romance, though it has some so-bad-it’s-good appeal and a few enjoyable sequences. They single out the indignity of Gene Kelly’s role and the film’s overall lack of style.

The critic describes the film as a bizarre and epically derided flop that fails as a screen musical despite its slick songs. They single out the haphazard staging and editing of its choreographed numbers for particular complaint.

The movie is muted and desperately stylish without real style, with desultory musical numbers and skating sequences. It relies heavily on Olivia Newton-John as its only clear drawing card but lacks pizazz.

The piece portrays Xanadu as one of Hollywood's most notorious flops on release, a mad and incoherent mishmash. It singles out the film's cult reassessment and camp appeal on home video for note.

The film is an experience so vacuous it's almost frightening. It singles out Olivia Newton-John's inability to deliver a line, hold a note or dance convincingly despite the script and songs being abysmal.

The film is stupendously bad with only the music as salvage; the plot involving a muse inspiring an artist at a roller disco is inane and scriptless. Newton-John's role involves glowing effects and roller skates but fails to cohere.

The critic calls Xanadu a campy, so-bad-it's-good musical that deserves a second look, praising its fun absurdity and cult appeal while noting its bizarre plot and visuals earned it the first Razzie. Olivia Newton-John's versatile performance, voice, and star power, along with the ELO soundtrack, are singled out for praise.