Jo Reviews

Get ready to sing you heart out for “Joyful Noise”. Vi Rose Hill (Queen Latifah) has just become the director of the choir following the untimely death of its former leader Bernard Sparrow (Kris Kristofferson). A little green with envy is Bernard’s wife G.G. Sparrow (Dolly Parton) who assumed she would be given the position. G.G. graciously accepts her new leader, but there is an underlying bitter feud between these two.

Fuel is only added to the fire when G.G.’s grandson Randy Garrity (Jeremy Jordan) arrives in town and has an admiration for Vi Rose’s daughter Olivia Hill (Keke Palmer). Randy is instantly attracted to Olivia who has the voice of a goddess. He takes an interest not only in Olivia, but the choir as well. Soon he passes the test to become a member and the choir kicks up their music to a new level.

With the choir getting some fresh blood and bold new material they head into a national competition where they hope to finally take home first prize. “Joyful Noise” does a great job at entertaining, but loses its entertainment factor as it pushes into the final act. There is a great deal of wonderful music, but it should have been cut back in a few scenes when it starts to feel more like a musical then a movie.

The final choir performance is magical and describes the title of the film to a tee. Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton had amazing chemistry and their jib jabs were engaging. The young talents of Keke Palmer can’t be missed as she belts out some wonderful notes that make this film joyful.  Might be better off waiting for this one on DVD.