If you are one who feels that you can't achieve what you set your mind to, then Sparkle is a movie for you! This movie is an uplifting refresher of how a girl, Sparkle, played by Jordin Sparks, had one dream and that was to be a famous singer. Her dreams constantly get torn down by her sisters, D and Sister, but mainly her mom, Emma, which is played by the famous Whitney Houston. Although many tried to steer her away from the singing business, Sparkle was determined to be what she wanted to be instead of what her mother had planned for her to be. The three sisters formed a group together, where Sister was the lead singer. They constantly snuck out in order for their mom to not find out they were going against her. All Sparkle really wanted was for her music to get noticed and if they had to sneak around to do it, she was willing to. I personally enjoyed this movie because of the different things that occurred throughout the movie were very similar to Whitney Houston's real life. Sister was known as "the mess up" because she grew up not respecting her mother and always did her own thing. Sparkle was the good little church girl who everyone loved and D was the other sister who had the aspiration of becoming a doctor. These two sisters were headed in the right direction with their lives; their mom strived for them not to become like herself or Sister. Emma was a former singer who let drugs, sex, and other things distract her from being the best singer she could be, so she quit that lifestyle and became a well-known member of the church. This is indeed very ironic because Houston grew up as that good little church girl everyone loved, but as she became more popular throughout the world, she started to abuse her fame. As the girls became popular, Sparkle started to have a relationship with one of their producers, who really enjoyed what Sparkle was doing and tried to make her get noticed. But, Sparkle didn't want to betray her mother and go against her rules, but singing was her passion and she couldn't stop. Sister started to abuse her fame and started to date the "Mr. Big Shot," Satin, played my Mike Epps. Satin was a lady's man who made Sister do drugs, drink, and drift away from her family. The group then started to go its separate ways because Sister wanted to do things on her own with Satin and although he constantly abused her, she felt as if staying with him was what's going to get her to the top. This was exactly the life Houston lived when married to Bobby Brown. He got her hooked on drugs and constantly beat her, but Houston "loved" him so much, she was willing to risk her life for someone who made her into someone the world loathed. Houston basically was forced to leave the ones she loved for Bobby and wasn't as close to her family as she used to be because Bobby and drugs were her new family. Towards the end of the movie, there was a scene where Emma was singing in church asking God why many things had to happen to her and how she wants to give her life back to Him. This was the scene that really hit home for me because of the irony. Houston lived a life for Christ before and even a little during her fame, but as the years progressed, she let fame get in the way of everything. Drugs had taken over her life and she wasn't who she used to be at all. The life she lived for the majority of the time was something no one should go through. After the movie filmed, Whitney died of a drug overdose. This makes the movie as a whole ironic because the movie hit many key points in her life and ended with her pleading to God and asking Him why she had to live the life she lived and go through all those trials. This movie is a must see if you want to see a girl who lived in constant negativity make her way out to become something positive and inspirational. I feel as if this movie showed the life Whitney Houston could've had if she chose to not abuse her fame. This movie isn't something you should just wait to rent at Red Box, go see it in theater and rent it! It's such a great movie that inspired me personally to strive for what I believe in and not let things deter me away from my goal.

I am a fan of the late Whitney Houston, so I had to see this to say my "goodbyes". Whitney is very good as strict mama Emma, but I can see her character worries about her daughters, Sister (Carmen Ejogo), Dee (Tika Sumpter)& Sparkle (Jordin Sparks). The actress playing Sister is awesome & you feel sorry for her. Dee is spunky but Sparkle is kinda like a wall flower. Only a few references to drugs, sex but has a strong violence element between sister & Satin Struthers (Mike Epps). I bought the original film & think the original is more grimy. Epps character is one you'd like to kick him in the pants! The music is awesome and the film looks really good. You feel like you're really in the 60's. Before this film I had never heard of Ejojo or Sumpter, but along with Sparks, they have a bright future! Ceelo Green is wasted in this film, his part is nearly a cameo! It's good to hear him sing something other than his hit "Forget You". I don't claim to be a great writer but I review only things I've seen. Hope everyone who loves a good film with good acting, singing and a good story goes to see this. Whitney would have been proud of this last film.

Set in 1960s against the backdrop of the explosion of R&B thanks in large part to Berry Gordy and Motown Records, Sparkle is an artistic homage to the original 1974 film with it's own unique voice. Looking to become the next Berry Gordy, a young man named Stix, played by Derek Luke (Friday Night Lights) helps three talented sisters form a R&B group which he hopes to get signed to a major record label. But as fame comes their way, it becomes more of a challenge for the family to stay together. Among those standing in the way of success is the girls' mother, Emma, a jaded and bitter former singer who now wants nothing more for her than "a respectful education and a relationship with the Lord." American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks gives a adequate performance in her film debut as Sparkle, the youngest sister of the trio and Stix best chance at realizing his dream. It doesn't hurt they share the dream and a lot of chemistry. Carmen Ejogo channels Lonette McKee (Half & Half) and gives a stellar performance as Sister, the oldest, most defiant sister and the one most desperate for fame and fortune. The sister that the mother Emma fears will most likely follow in her footsteps.Irony permeates a supporting part that was supposedly designed to be Whitney Houston's "comeback role" but instead sadly became her swan song. Although this was not a starring vehicle for Whitney, that fact, may be testament to her skill as an actor; not upstaging newcomer Sparks while still making her presence felt through her character's personality.Surprisingly it's Mike Epps (Next Friday) who steals the show as Satin,a paradoxically evil stand-up comedian with whom Sister falls in love. His command of the screen displays his growth as an actor since his first roles as nothing more than comedic relief or bit parts early in his career. The fact that Epps who is a hilarious comedian in real life gave such a strong performance that was intentionally not funny but intensely dramatic should speak volumes to future casting directors who may have previously seen him as a one-note actor who would forever play sidekicks like "Black Dougs" as in The Hangover and Day-Days like his character in Next Friday and its sequel. More than anything, Sparkle is a soulful musical complete with feel good R&B songs from the original like the Curtis Mayfield penned "Something He Can Feel" and "Hooked on Your Love" which are beloved classics today. Other catchy original songs for the film, like the melodic "One Wing" were produced by none other that R. Kelly himself. It's the gospel cornerstone "His Eye Is On the Sparrow" however, that provides Whitney an opportunity to provide yet another (but sadly her last) powerful performance that would make her mother, gospel legend, Cissy Houston proud. Maybe it's that real life tragedy of that underlines the plot that also undermines it. Every time Whitney is on screen, one cannot help but feel a twinge of grief knowing she is no longer alive, ultimately because of the same showbiz demons that her onsceen daughter was battling.

Today, I went to see Sparkle and let's just say that I wasn't disappointed at all. Whitney, Whitney, Whitney...... she did her thang! The whole cast was great and I discovered hidden talent among the cast that I hadn't noticed before. Wow!! Don't let the haters keep you from seeing this movie. I was singing, laughing and dancing in my seat. I was filled with emotions like never before, I can honestly say that I enjoyed Sparkle(2012) better than the original. I was born in the 60's and could easily relate to the characters in Sparkle. When I left the theater, I said to myself that I can't wait until it is released on Blue Ray(extra everything). It is always a pleasure to see and hear Whitney, loved and forever missed in my heart. Go see Sparkle! Peace.