if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

I think this film will "suffer" the same fate as The Wizard of Oz, which was also a flop when released. It took time, but that film generated an entire universe of spin off materials (calendars, what-nots, stills... Heaven knows what else!) From my perspective, the film was attempting, among other things, to sketch the link between music of the "Big Band" era and Disco, which borrowed a great deal from that era. A couple examples: Xavier Cugat's song "Brasil" of 1940 was redone by the Richie Family to great success in the mid 1970's. The song "More More More" by the Andrea True Connection could be dropped back in time and played on a radio station in the same year as "Brasil" premiered and the audience wouldn't have batted an eye.Yea, I know; "everyone hates Disco!" I didn't; I loved it. I didn't listen for "philosophy" or "secret messages" - It was fun, upbeat, happy music - the same Ethos as that which "mused" the Big Band Era.I thought the scene where the rock band and the 1940's orchestra merge was utterly brilliant, and portrays exactly what Disco was. Keep in mind that Big Brother had decided that Disco had to go so movies such as Xanadu and "Can't Stop The Music" made it a point to not mention the disowned stepchild by name...And Xanadu is above all Art, and should be experienced that way. If it's analyzed with a caliper it will come up short... But there's "Magic" in it, as there is in all real Art.Heck; El Greco rearranged the city of Toledo on canvas to create the Magic of his work "A View of Toledo." I'm sure critics back then fumed that he'd moved the city landmarks all around... but 500 years later we're still enjoying it, accurate or not.In some more enlightened era this motion picture will, I think, be cherished as a lovingly crafted cameo of a splendid moment in Time... which had great music, fashion, and Eros; so much unlike the present "Soviet era apartment complex" dreariness which presently smothers us.

OK, can I say it? "Xanadu" isn't THAT bad.It's certainly not good, and that's not an opinion as much as it is an objective fact. But there's a lot to like, and its absolute commitment to nuttiness is infectious. Your only two options are to give in or turn the thing off. I decided to stick with it and I'm glad I did.Olivia Newton-John is perhaps the worst roller skating goddess ever captured on screen (though to be fair she may be the only roller skating goddess to ever appear on screen), but she's in lovely voice for all of "Xanadu"'s catchy disco tunes. Gene Kelly is a pro -- even in a bad movie he's able to showcase his talents, and a dance duet between him and Newton-John is a highlight. There's a running theme of old vs. young, and another highlight for me was a musical number in which members of a big-band era club have a dance off with those of a modern rock 'n roll club as the creators of Xanadu, the club that gives the film its name, imagine what their creation could be. I understand why this film has a terrible reputation and it's not like I really disagree with the general consensus regarding its quality, but even bad movies can have good qualities, and "Xanadu" is rather fun if watched in the right mood. (Alcohol probably helps too).Grade: B-

Artist Sonny Malone (Michael Beck) is giving up. He goes back to painting enlarged record covers for AirFlo Records. He rips up his drawings which float to a mural of the Greek muses at the end of an alley. Kira (Olivia Newton-John) remains on earth to inspire Sonny to help Danny McGuire (Gene Kelly) create a roller disco club. For his assignment back at AirFlo, Sonny is told to enlarge a record cover with Kira on it.This is fun and silly. I don't know what people are expecting. The writing is cheesy. The effects are cheesy. Even the songs are cheesy. It was probably a little late for a Disco movie especially one that is so sincere and happy. There is something unabashedly naive about this movie. The only major complaint I have is Michael Beck. Apparently he didn't get the memo about what kind of movie this is. He's like a gloomy cloud in an otherwise bright sunny day. This movie needs a cheery guy instead of Michael Beck with his scowl. On the other hand, ONJ is the perfect magical musical muse. She can't stop giving off that fun vibe and she has some terrific catchy songs. Then there is the great Gene Kelly. He still has the spark and it shows. He brings with him some old fashion class.

My first childhood star crush was Olivia Newton-John.Pretty lady with a voice like an angel.Then,Grease came along and it further enhanced the crush.Two years after Grease came Xanadu.I have always been one to listen to and read reviews of films.When most of the reviews are not favorable,I tend to steer clear.Not wanting to see this lovely lady,my childhood star crush in a bad light,I did steer clear for 34 years.Finally,I bit the bullet and watched just today.Olivia looked lovely of course,but as for the rest,the critics were right.The story was too surreal for my taste.The special effects were awful.The acting,short of the efforts of legend Gene Kelly and Olivia(I am biased)were worthy of note.Michael Beck looked too much like an Andy Gibb clone because Gibb was who they wanted for his role and couldn't get him.The 40's dance sequences fell flat because they looked too much like the 80's version of the 40's.Perhaps they would have looked better in black and white,but I don't think it would have saved the film.I love Olivia,but all in all,this was every bit the bad viewing experience I thought it would be.