First off the bat, I'm not even going to compare this film to the classic 1980s version.

This film has different characters and a whole different feel. Although there are some familiar elements, it's more like another film in the 'Fame' franchise.

The film is divided into five sections ? Auditions, Freshman year, Sophomore year, Junior year and Senior year ? and follows a number of teenagers through their four years at the school for performing arts.

This is where one of my major issues comes in ? you're introduced to most of the characters terrifyingly briefly and then are expected to remember them for further notice. With a large cast this becomes almost impossible. Also, I'm pretty sure the writers and editors have never heard of 'character development'. Sure, you see things happening to the characters, but there is very little sense of growth. How, I wondered, am I supposed to cheer for characters if a) I don't know who they are, and b) they aren't really developing?

The saving graces were the utterly absorbing Malik (Collins Penne) as an angry, troubled youngster from the 'hood, and the stunning and absolutely charming Kay Panabaker as uptight Jenny. I could have watched Panabaker for hours - she was one of the true gems of the film, and I hope she goes on to do more.

There were also a number of veteran actors who were criminally underused, including Kelsey Grammar as the music professor and Charles S. Dutton of 'The Practice' as drama teacher Alvin Dowd. But It is Megan Mullally of 'Will & Grace' fame who stands head and shoulders above the rest. She is spunky, charming and blew me completely out of the water with her straight-off-Broadway voice.

The focus on the film was heavily on the talent of the young stars ? and the dancing, singing and performance does not disappoint. The final performance, although, was a little too 'High School Musical' and nowhere near enough to provide a suitable uplifting conclusion to the movie.

But if you watch this film for any one reason ? watch it for the soundtrack. A number of songs from the original film make their way to the 2009 version ? although with some differences. The title song 'Fame' gets an edgy makeover from Naturi Naughton, and as Denise she stuns with her vocal performance of 'Out Here On My Own'. Asher Book ? who plays Marco in the film ? is breathtaking with his smooth, rich voice and Megan Mullally's performance of 'You Took Advantage of Me' is nothing short of astounding.

All in all, while this version of 'Fame' is a decent enough outing, it will hardly become a classic. While its commercial success is almost guaranteed because of the curiosity of viewers, it won't be long before this film gets relegated to the back of the shelves in favour of its more grown-up cousin.

Do you agree? Disagree? Which version do you prefer? Let us know!