91 reviews
Worth Seeing
I originally had no interest in seeing it. The reviews were bad, the trailer looked just 'ok'. But a friend of mine wanted to see it and asked me to come along. Why not?
I'm glad I went. It was very enjoyable. It's not a masterpiece, but is a light hearted feel good movie featuring some very talented singers. Although the plot was relatively simple, it worked well and was easy to follow. The relationship with Queen Latifah's character and her family was touching and emotional. I found myself tapping my feet to the music and wiping away tears at the end.
So when I looked it up on IMDb and saw a 3.4, I was quite confused. I thought it would be in the 6,7 range. I don't understand.
If your looking for a fun enjoyable movie, see this. Ignore the rating and reviews. Guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face.
I'm glad I went. It was very enjoyable. It's not a masterpiece, but is a light hearted feel good movie featuring some very talented singers. Although the plot was relatively simple, it worked well and was easy to follow. The relationship with Queen Latifah's character and her family was touching and emotional. I found myself tapping my feet to the music and wiping away tears at the end.
So when I looked it up on IMDb and saw a 3.4, I was quite confused. I thought it would be in the 6,7 range. I don't understand.
If your looking for a fun enjoyable movie, see this. Ignore the rating and reviews. Guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face.
It's Contrived, but Feels Good All the Same
My review of the Joyful Noise Movie: Every single solitary, gimmicky, tired, old, wore-out, overdone movie cliché that's ever been used in any contrived, family-targeted movie in the history of cinema... and yet, the music was solid, the characters given some genuinely funny material to work with, and therefore there are worse ways to spend 90 minutes of your life. It was fantastic to hear new material from one of my favorite vocalists and lyricists, Dolly Parton... but it was worth the ticket price alone, to see Dolly "poppin' and lockin' for Jesus!"
...and I am personally convinced, beyond the shadow of any doubt, that Dolly Parton was manufactured by Jim Henson's Creature Shop.
~ <3
...and I am personally convinced, beyond the shadow of any doubt, that Dolly Parton was manufactured by Jim Henson's Creature Shop.
~ <3
- wcameronmartin
- Dec 29, 2012
- Permalink
Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah provide an enjoyable cast of musical talents in Joyful Noise
Fun, dramatic and some great singing
Ok, so my biases out the way: I'm not into Christian films per se, but I love Queen Latifah in most of her films. She doesn't fail to disappoint, being charismatic and larger than life whilst still being humble. Her daughter in the film has a great voice (is a singer herself in real life) with a Michael Jackson cover that brought tears to my eyes.
The love interest aspect is fun and sweet, there's a sub plot about love and loss, and just some great modern Christian singing and performance. I'm sure Christians will get more out of this, but anyone will feel sympathetic for this group of personalities on their musical journey.
This film really stuck in my head, and left me with a great positive vibe. It was well filmed and executed. Look - it's no subtle or complex bit of social commentary or story telling, but yet it's not the bland rubbish like Mama Mia. One of those films which I can watch again and again, and that's very rare for me.
The love interest aspect is fun and sweet, there's a sub plot about love and loss, and just some great modern Christian singing and performance. I'm sure Christians will get more out of this, but anyone will feel sympathetic for this group of personalities on their musical journey.
This film really stuck in my head, and left me with a great positive vibe. It was well filmed and executed. Look - it's no subtle or complex bit of social commentary or story telling, but yet it's not the bland rubbish like Mama Mia. One of those films which I can watch again and again, and that's very rare for me.
- uberdonkey6
- May 25, 2019
- Permalink
Blehhhh
This movie inspired me to create an IMDb account just to review it. I am so angry that a movie that should have been a sure-fire hit with Dolly, Queen, and (surprise! Kris Kristofferson in his first singing role in decades) was such an abominable dud. Not any of the actors fault, just poor directing and editing. I don't think the director understands how to tell a story. Instead of clearly defining the plot, developing characters, and building up a climax, there is just a whole lotta "stuff" going on that contributes pretty much nothing to the central plot. I'm not even sure what the plot is! Was it: a. The choir encounters several challenges to win a contest, b. Queen Latifah needs to spend time with her daughter and help her mentally challenged son c. Dolly and Queen need to get along, d. the supporting actress needs to stop sleeping with Asian men, e. Dolly needs to get over her dead husband and help her quasi-troubled runaway grandson, f. Grandson and Queens daughter need to get jiggy wit Jesus? Everything is so cheezily and sloppily thrown together in this movie, it doesn't really make sense. And why, Why do all the characters speak in stale platitudes??!!
- cmatsumoto702
- Jan 15, 2012
- Permalink
Great Film to combat all the doom and gloom at present in the world.
Excellent Gospel music, and top shelf humor. A script of depth too, touching on the human condition and the pitfalls of being young, nice to see a film where the main characters are talented woman.
- keepitreal60
- Mar 20, 2020
- Permalink
Awkward
- MasterChiefrei
- May 20, 2012
- Permalink
A Feel Good Movie!!
I liked the movie a lot. I've always loved both Dolly Pardon and Queen Latifah. I don't know who thought to put those two together but for my money, it worked. Yes, Dolly has had a lot of work done. SO WHAT? She's a sweetheart and still feisty! The plot has some definite misses, it was predictable and cheesy at times, but it was fun! Yes it was a bit of a "Sister Act 2" combined with "Footloose" rip off but again I say: SO WHAT?? I enjoyed the movie. Is it going to win an academy award? Nope. But it was nice way to spend an afternoon. It had me dancing in my seat and left me feeling good. And that's exactly what I wanted it to do. We have a winner!!
- simplyjanise
- Jan 14, 2012
- Permalink
The Gospel According to Latifah and Parton
- Chris_Pandolfi
- Jan 12, 2012
- Permalink
good moments
Joyful Noise did have a some good moments, and tried to give a positive message. Felt a lot like a Disney Channel movie and there were things that seemed disjointed or just didn't make sense.
For example, almost nothing is said between Latifah's character and her daughter, when she forbids the girl to see her boyfriend, later, they have long blowup scene when the daughter simply wants to leave their hotel room because her mother is snoring. The mother, brother and others in town are frightened and worried for a long time - the daughter has disappeared and no one has any idea where she is. Her boyfriend had just taken her several hours away to see her father at his military base. Obviously the minute the father saw her he'd have called the mother, what, no one has cell phones? And the food fight between the two leads in a restaurant, extremely stupid.
Kids who are Disney Channel/High School Musical fans would like it, so something parents and kids could watch together, and adults will enjoy the music much more, it was very enjoyable. My favorite part was Queen Latifah singing "Fix Me Jesus.", I hadn't been familiar with this old spiritual, and it really touched me.
I love Dolly Parton, musically and in films like Steel Magnolias. Sadly, she's had so much 'work' done it was hard to look at her. Still like her, though, and other characters were likable, so...not too bad, not afraid to use spiritual music and had some good things to say.
For example, almost nothing is said between Latifah's character and her daughter, when she forbids the girl to see her boyfriend, later, they have long blowup scene when the daughter simply wants to leave their hotel room because her mother is snoring. The mother, brother and others in town are frightened and worried for a long time - the daughter has disappeared and no one has any idea where she is. Her boyfriend had just taken her several hours away to see her father at his military base. Obviously the minute the father saw her he'd have called the mother, what, no one has cell phones? And the food fight between the two leads in a restaurant, extremely stupid.
Kids who are Disney Channel/High School Musical fans would like it, so something parents and kids could watch together, and adults will enjoy the music much more, it was very enjoyable. My favorite part was Queen Latifah singing "Fix Me Jesus.", I hadn't been familiar with this old spiritual, and it really touched me.
I love Dolly Parton, musically and in films like Steel Magnolias. Sadly, she's had so much 'work' done it was hard to look at her. Still like her, though, and other characters were likable, so...not too bad, not afraid to use spiritual music and had some good things to say.
An old-fashioned "feel-good" movie - and there's nothing wrong with that!
I went with friends to see JOYFUL NOISE, the film starring Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton. What can I say about it?
Predictable? Yep.
Formulaic? For the most part.
Manipulative? Definitely! One particular segment had me sobbing in my seat.
But the music rocked. The film also had unexpected flashes of humor that were laugh-out-loud funny. Though it wasn't a masterpiece (for one thing, editing was sloppy in places), I enjoyed it and thought it was well worth seeing.
Predictable? Yep.
Formulaic? For the most part.
Manipulative? Definitely! One particular segment had me sobbing in my seat.
But the music rocked. The film also had unexpected flashes of humor that were laugh-out-loud funny. Though it wasn't a masterpiece (for one thing, editing was sloppy in places), I enjoyed it and thought it was well worth seeing.
- scooterberwyn
- Jan 25, 2012
- Permalink
Not spectacular, but uplifting and moderately entertaining
- vincentlynch-moonoi
- Sep 13, 2015
- Permalink
not for Christians
- logansmother
- Jan 15, 2012
- Permalink
Cute, but corny
It's no understatement to say Joyful Noise would be nothing without Queen Latifah. I know I'm partial to her anyway, but she brings a level of class and actual acting to the film that no one else does. In this ridiculously written, cheesy, Hallmark-esque comedy, she manages to get tears in her eyes when she looks at her Asberger's affected son. When she argues with Keke Palmer, her attitude-inflicted daughter, she has a great level of depth that only a mother can truly appreciate.
The plot of Joyful Noise is very silly: Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton butt heads as to the direction of their choir song selection and style when they enter a national singing competition. No, I didn't want to watch it either. The trailer featured all the one-liners, cat-fights, and humor, but none of the sadder, sweeter moments. I missed it in the theaters, but I broke down and rented it because I love Queen Latifah so much.
In a cute cameo, Kris Kristofferson plays Dolly's recently deceased husband, and they share a duet. Since he was the previous choir director, Dolly naturally assumes she'll be chosen as his successor. But her clash with the more modern Queenie extends past working hours; her grandson starts flirting around with Queenie's daughter. Will they ever get along? And will they win the competition?
As wonderful as Queen is with her tears and her heartfelt emotional outbursts, this really isn't the best movie out there. It has its moments, but the overall theme is a bit corny. Rent Last Holiday, one of the best modern feel-good movies out there, if this one left you wanting more.
The plot of Joyful Noise is very silly: Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton butt heads as to the direction of their choir song selection and style when they enter a national singing competition. No, I didn't want to watch it either. The trailer featured all the one-liners, cat-fights, and humor, but none of the sadder, sweeter moments. I missed it in the theaters, but I broke down and rented it because I love Queen Latifah so much.
In a cute cameo, Kris Kristofferson plays Dolly's recently deceased husband, and they share a duet. Since he was the previous choir director, Dolly naturally assumes she'll be chosen as his successor. But her clash with the more modern Queenie extends past working hours; her grandson starts flirting around with Queenie's daughter. Will they ever get along? And will they win the competition?
As wonderful as Queen is with her tears and her heartfelt emotional outbursts, this really isn't the best movie out there. It has its moments, but the overall theme is a bit corny. Rent Last Holiday, one of the best modern feel-good movies out there, if this one left you wanting more.
- HotToastyRag
- Nov 3, 2020
- Permalink
Joyful Silence
Horrible, horrible, horrible!!! Where to begin? It didn't take me even 5 minutes of viewing this dreadful film to see how bad it is. The acting is beyond bad, the dialog is elementary, the plot is hardly believable, and worst of all, for a movie about a gospel choir, it should be a sin for there to be such obvious lip-syncing going on during some of the singing scenes.
Dolly Parton as G.G. Sparrow and Queen Latifah as V. Rose Hill, two prominent, vocal (literally) members of a church choir, battle it out to see who's musical style will win out. Sparrow wants a contemporary sound and V. Rose Hill favors the more traditional gospel style. Of course, all parties involved will come together just in time to save the choir during the choir competition near the end. Yea right - in what alternate universe does this occur? Even their names tells you how utterly ridiculous this story is.
Also unbelievable is the subplot about love between Olivia, V. Rose's daughter and Randy, Sparrow's grandson, played by Keke Palmer and Jeremy Jordan, respectively. Jordan and Palmer have negative (-)100% chemistry. Zip-O!!!! And the dialogue and interaction between these two are flat. Oh, and if you've never heard of these two,don't worry. You're not alone. Many viewers haven't. To her credit,Keke Palmer has a decent resume of work as an actress, and definitely was not as stiff as Jeremy Jordan, but she wasn't much better.
Courtney B. Vance has a supporting role as the pastor of the church where the choir is based. He is clearly making the best of a terrible script. Dolly Parton also puts in a commendable performance, with her quirky but Southernly charm. One of the more touching parts of this sterile film is Dolly Parton's performance of "From Here to the Moon and Back". Otherwise, "Joyful Noise" runs like a 118-minute rip off of the Sister Act films, except Latifah's no Whoopi Goldberg and Keke Palmer's no Lauryn Hill.
Dolly Parton as G.G. Sparrow and Queen Latifah as V. Rose Hill, two prominent, vocal (literally) members of a church choir, battle it out to see who's musical style will win out. Sparrow wants a contemporary sound and V. Rose Hill favors the more traditional gospel style. Of course, all parties involved will come together just in time to save the choir during the choir competition near the end. Yea right - in what alternate universe does this occur? Even their names tells you how utterly ridiculous this story is.
Also unbelievable is the subplot about love between Olivia, V. Rose's daughter and Randy, Sparrow's grandson, played by Keke Palmer and Jeremy Jordan, respectively. Jordan and Palmer have negative (-)100% chemistry. Zip-O!!!! And the dialogue and interaction between these two are flat. Oh, and if you've never heard of these two,don't worry. You're not alone. Many viewers haven't. To her credit,Keke Palmer has a decent resume of work as an actress, and definitely was not as stiff as Jeremy Jordan, but she wasn't much better.
Courtney B. Vance has a supporting role as the pastor of the church where the choir is based. He is clearly making the best of a terrible script. Dolly Parton also puts in a commendable performance, with her quirky but Southernly charm. One of the more touching parts of this sterile film is Dolly Parton's performance of "From Here to the Moon and Back". Otherwise, "Joyful Noise" runs like a 118-minute rip off of the Sister Act films, except Latifah's no Whoopi Goldberg and Keke Palmer's no Lauryn Hill.
- Marc_Action
- Jan 5, 2013
- Permalink
Cliché yet pretty fun and entertaining
It is true that Joyful Noise is a cliché film, some people may call it contrived or even cheesy, maybe there's some amount of truth in those claims, but it certainly doesn't change the fact that it is still entertaining and very fun to watch. It centers around a southern church choir and them competing in a big competition between gospel choirs. All the characters fit into the movie in an important way. Queen Latifah's character has many complexities to her, she is probably the heaviest character in the whole movie. Dolly Parton plays an older widow who is a big financial supporter of the church. The younger characters, Randy and Olivia (Keke Palmer) are pretty well put together, not nearly as heavy as Parton or Latifah, but still fairly good, and they accomplished what they needed to accomplish in the movie. The writing is what I really like because sometimes it's funny, sometimes it's sad and emotional, and then other times it is very uplifting and positive. I think there's a good mixture and range. I loved the music, the hip/new gospel performances that they put on, especially in the end, is very fun and it's almost impossible not to sing along. Dolly Partons to the moon and back with her deceased husband was a great thing to have in there too, because it added to the Movies heart and the overall feeling. Overall joyful noise is an entertaining somewhat light film that almost anyone can enjoy. And it's not overly religious or preachy either. 7/10.
- davispittman
- Oct 23, 2017
- Permalink
At Least It Has Some Good Music
Some of the music contained in "Joyful Noise" is pretty good. Which is a good thing. Otherwise there wouldn't be much - actually, there really wouldn't be anything - to make this movie worth watching.
Revolving around a church choir from small town Georgia looking to win the national "Joyful Noise" competition in Los Angeles and having to overcome a lot of obstacles to do it, the story - to be blunt - is shallow and predictable. There are tensions within the choir (mostly represented by the tensions between the two lead characters Vi Rose and Gi Gi (Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton) who simply don't like each other. As the movie opens, Gi Gi's husband (played very briefly by Kris Kristoffersson) is the choir master, but he has a heart attack during a performance and dies. Gi Gi wants to take over from him, but the church pastor chooses Vi Rose. Add to that a romance between Olivia (Keke Palmer) and Randy (Jeremy Jordan) - Vi Rose's daughter and Gi Gi's grandson, and assorted other issues that arise, and what you have left is one muddled plot.
For a movie that revolved around a church choir, the religious content here seemed very forced and artificial to me, as if those who wrote it just figured they had to throw "God," "Lord," "Jesus" and "Hallelujah" in every five minutes just to make the point that it's about a CHURCH choir. In short, there was very little to this that would cause me to recommend it. It reminded me a lot of a movie made a few years ago called "The Fighting Temptations," which had a very similar plot and was equally bad. Let's be honest. There's really only been one decent movie made about a church choir - and that was "Sister Act." This one has a few good and entertaining musical pieces, but is totally lacking in story. (2/10)
Revolving around a church choir from small town Georgia looking to win the national "Joyful Noise" competition in Los Angeles and having to overcome a lot of obstacles to do it, the story - to be blunt - is shallow and predictable. There are tensions within the choir (mostly represented by the tensions between the two lead characters Vi Rose and Gi Gi (Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton) who simply don't like each other. As the movie opens, Gi Gi's husband (played very briefly by Kris Kristoffersson) is the choir master, but he has a heart attack during a performance and dies. Gi Gi wants to take over from him, but the church pastor chooses Vi Rose. Add to that a romance between Olivia (Keke Palmer) and Randy (Jeremy Jordan) - Vi Rose's daughter and Gi Gi's grandson, and assorted other issues that arise, and what you have left is one muddled plot.
For a movie that revolved around a church choir, the religious content here seemed very forced and artificial to me, as if those who wrote it just figured they had to throw "God," "Lord," "Jesus" and "Hallelujah" in every five minutes just to make the point that it's about a CHURCH choir. In short, there was very little to this that would cause me to recommend it. It reminded me a lot of a movie made a few years ago called "The Fighting Temptations," which had a very similar plot and was equally bad. Let's be honest. There's really only been one decent movie made about a church choir - and that was "Sister Act." This one has a few good and entertaining musical pieces, but is totally lacking in story. (2/10)
Not nearly so bad as some of the reviews might lead you to believe
Yes, the script was mighty thin in places and tried to tackle way too many subjects in too short a period of time (the poor economy, marriage struggles, death, teenage angst/rebellion, teenage love, etc., etc.), but despite its flaws this movie provided some fine musical entertainment, and pretty much delivered on its goal of being an uplifting movie-going experience.
I attended this movie with my senior citizen mom and my tween daughter, and all of us found some things to enjoy about this flick. There were some laughs, some moving plot points, some great musical numbers, and some fine performances, particularly on the part of the younger cast members. Some days you are just looking for some softball, "feel good" entertainment rather than a darker or more weighty film. This movie fits the bill if you're in the mood for some harmless, mostly mindless, fluffy entertainment.
I attended this movie with my senior citizen mom and my tween daughter, and all of us found some things to enjoy about this flick. There were some laughs, some moving plot points, some great musical numbers, and some fine performances, particularly on the part of the younger cast members. Some days you are just looking for some softball, "feel good" entertainment rather than a darker or more weighty film. This movie fits the bill if you're in the mood for some harmless, mostly mindless, fluffy entertainment.
- mrsluggy2001
- Jan 14, 2012
- Permalink
Makes you feel good
- careybrandon-41144
- Apr 15, 2021
- Permalink
If you are looking for a movie about a gospel choir
Worth checking out!
I enjoyed this movie with my 12 year old son and 17 year old daughter. The gospel music and contemporary pop made it appealing to all ages. The movie was funny and not too heavy but delivered a good wholesome message. Dolly has been a long time favorite of mine and I had almost forgotten how funny she can be. The entire family could take away a message of hope from Joyful Noise. Who knew Queen Latifia could sing so beautifully? This is an all star cast of talented young people with a witty twist and a great upbeat mood from start to finish.
I would suggest seeing this movie with someone who could use a good laugh!
I would suggest seeing this movie with someone who could use a good laugh!
Joyful Noise Is A Joy For The Ears
Being no fan of plastic surgery, and a big admirer of people who wear their age naturally with all the beauty and grace given them, it must be said that Dolly Parton simply looks like a goofy caricature of her former self. But dang, that voice is still there! The girl can sing....as can everyone else in this movie full of foot-tapping, you-just-want-to-clap gospel-style music. A film about a church full of people brimming over with the ability to sing a rousing song, and a reason to sing it, this is the first movie I've seen in some time where I walked out thinking, "I have to get the sound track from this picture!" Not saying there wasn't a few slow spots along the way, for the most part this was a fine feel-good show. How refreshing not to be sujected to creatures, crashes, monsters or mayhem. If you like a movie with a positive attitude and if you like music that sets you bopping about in your seat, you're going to like this one. I did.
Wince-Inducing. Not believable, not well-done, not for me!
Here goes - a partial review, because I walked out on this movie after 40 of the most painful minutes in recent movie watching history. Let's see, I winced when I first saw Dolly. I was a big fan, but not anymore. With all of her plastic surgery there was no emotion on her face, when she was singing or even when her movie husband died. More big winces soon followed from the stereotypical plot to the stereotypical characters. I'd also like to know how many small towns in Georgia enjoy the diversity in their church congregations as Hollywood foisted upon us in Joyful Noise.
Noteworthy is Dolly's cinched choir robe and how poorly the script included reference to it. Come on, take one for the team and allow yourself to dress in character. I'm just sayin... It was a big disappointment for a spiritual music lover like me.
Noteworthy is Dolly's cinched choir robe and how poorly the script included reference to it. Come on, take one for the team and allow yourself to dress in character. I'm just sayin... It was a big disappointment for a spiritual music lover like me.
- sdiamond3208
- Jan 12, 2012
- Permalink
great singing and blah story
In small town Georgia, Vi Rose Hill (Queen Latifah) and G.G. Sparrow (Dolly Parton) don't really get along. When the choir director G.G.'s husband dies unexpectedly, Vi takes over with the support of Pastor Dale (Courtney B. Vance). Vi is raising her kids Olivia (Keke Palmer) and Walter with Asperger while her husband returns to the military. G.G.'s rebellious grandson Randy Garrity (Jeremy Jordan) comes to town and falls for Olivia. The local choir struggles to find their sound to win the Joyful Noise Competition.
The singing is great and I love Keke Palmer's voice. The actors are all very good but the story lacks cohesion. This is a slice of Christian Mingle, a dash of awkward comedy and a handful of melodrama. I like all the actors and Keke Palmer is adorable but the story keeps hitting the wrong notes. The characters go off on weird tangents. This is a great musical that gets broken up by the need for a story.
The singing is great and I love Keke Palmer's voice. The actors are all very good but the story lacks cohesion. This is a slice of Christian Mingle, a dash of awkward comedy and a handful of melodrama. I like all the actors and Keke Palmer is adorable but the story keeps hitting the wrong notes. The characters go off on weird tangents. This is a great musical that gets broken up by the need for a story.
- SnoopyStyle
- Sep 16, 2015
- Permalink
Awful movie all around.
Worst movie I have ever had the misfortune of witnessing in my entire life. I saw this at a drive in theater that was $5 for two movies- and i would have rather spent the $2.50 on some soda and chips. Completely terrible. The script was poorly written, the acting was painful, the story was unbelievable, unrealistic, and weak. It barely developed anything, I became bored and frankly disgusted by its unrealistic and sad portrayal of the Christian church and what it is like. Before the end of the movie i was barely paying attention and was begging for it to end. It dragged on and on. If you are looking for a movie to make fun off, this is perfect. You'll be "Booing" before its even over.
- b-c-p-o-num1
- Jan 21, 2012
- Permalink