Some remakes struggle to capture the essence of the original movie and end up falling short of their potential - with the 2012 remake of Sparkle its success lies in the fact that it did most things right which the original got horribly wrong. Jordin Sparks plays the titular musical prodigy who has to deal with endless family dramas as she strives to reach the top of her profession, but the film's real poignancy comes from Whitney Houston in her final movie role. It's a superbly understated performance which could well have signalled a comeback for the troubled singer. The plot might be hackneyed in places, rarely deviating from the rags-to-riches formula seen countless times before, but the lively cast and some great music (if you're a fan of Motown) ensure a lively pace and an enjoyable experience.
