Spice World (1997)

User Rating:

2.9/10   

Director:

Bob Spiers

Writers:

The Spice Girls (idea) &
Kim Fuller (idea) ...
(more)

Release Date:

23 January 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Music

Tagline:

They perform for royalty and entertain millions the world over. But now, they're making a movie.

Plot:

The film follows the Spice Girls and their entourage (mostly fictional characters) - manager Clifford...

Plot Keywords:

Spice Girl | Karaoke | Makeup | Rehearsal | Gender Stereotype

Awards:

1 win & 9 nominations

Cast

Melanie Brown	...	Melanie B - Scary Spice
Emma Bunton	...	Emma - Baby Spice
Melanie Chisholm	...	Melanie C - Sporty Spice
Geri Halliwell	...	Geri - Ginger Spice (as Geraldine Halliwell)
Victoria Beckham	...	Victoria - Posh Spice (as Victoria Adams)
Kevin Allen	...	TV Director
Devon Anderson	...	Jack
Michael Barrymore	...	Mr. Step
Richard Briers	...	Bishop
Simon Chandler	...	Hospital Parent
Elvis Costello	...	Himself
Alan Cumming	...	Piers
The Dream Boys	...	Themselves
David Fahm	...	Enzo
Jason Flemyng	...	Brad
Neil Fox	...	Voice of Radio D.J. (voice)
Stephen Fry	...	Judge
Bob Geldof	...	Himself
Llewella Gideon	...	Nurse
Guy Gowan	...	Waiter
Richard E. Grant	...	Clifford
Jools Holland	...	Musical Director
Bob Hoskins	...	Himself
Barry Humphries	...	Kevin McMaxford
Elton John	...	Himself
Craig Kelly	...	Nervous Guy
Hugh Laurie	...	Poirot
Meat Loaf	...	Dennis
Mark McKinney	...	Graydon
Marian McLoughlin	...	Hospital Parent
Kevin McNally	...	Policeman
Roger Moore	...	Chief
Naoko Mori	...	Nicola
Neil Mullarkey	...	Barnaby
Richard O'Brien	...	Damien
Steven O'Donnell	...	Jess
Bill Paterson	...	Brian
Jonathan Ross	...	Himself
Claire Rushbrook	...	Deborah
Jennifer Saunders	...	Fashionable Woman
Simon Shepherd	...	Doctor
Catherine Shipton	...	Midwife (as Cathy Shipton)
Peter Sissons	...	Newsreader
Denise Stephenson	...	Jack & Evie's Mother
Perdita Weeks	...	Evie
George Wendt	...	Film Producer
Dominic West	...	Photographer
Simon Ellis	...	Spice Band Member
Andy Gangadeen	...	Spice Band Member
Paul Gendler	...	Spice Band Member
Fergus Gerrand	...	Spice Band Member
Steve Lewinson	...	Spice Band Member
Michael Martin	...	Spice Band Member
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Hugh Cecil	...	Kissed by Emma Bunton (uncredited)
Amanda Connors	...	Background Artist (uncredited)
Daisy Donovan	...	Reporter (uncredited)
Leila Reid	...	Child fan (uncredited)
Jessica Summers	...	Child fan (uncredited)

Directed by
Bob Spiers

Writing credits
The Spice Girls		(idea) &
Kim Fuller		(idea)
Kim Fuller		(written by)
Jamie Curtis		(additional writing)

Produced by
Uri Fruchtmann	....	producer
Kim Fuller	....	associate producer
Simon Fuller	....	executive producer
Peter McAleese	....	co-producer
Dione Orrom	....	line producer: concert
Mark L. Rosen	....	producer
Barnaby Thompson	....	producer

Original Music by
Paul Hardcastle

Cinematography by
Clive Tickner

Film Editing by
Andrea MacArthur

Casting by
Simone Ireland
Vanessa Pereira

Production Design by
Grenville Horner

Art Direction by
Colin Blaymires
David Walley

Set Decoration by
Linda Wilson

Costume Design by
Kate Carin

Makeup Department
Jennie Barnor-Roberts	....	hair stylist: Spice Girls
Karin Darnell	....	makeup artist: Spice Girls
Graham Johnston	....	chief hair designer
Graham Johnston	....	chief makeup designer
Marese Langan	....	makeup artist
Ivana Primorac	....	makeup artist: second unit

Production Management
Stephen Barker	....	post-production supervisor
Benjamin Greenacre	....	unit manager (as Ben Greenacre)
Finoula Orrom	....	production manager: concert
Shellie Smith	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Matt Carver	....	second assistant director: second unit
Mike Hanley	....	third assistant director
Max Keene	....	first assistant director
Finn McGrath	....	second assistant director
Stuart Renfrew	....	first assistant director: second unit
Jim Simpson	....	assistant director
Barnaby Thompson	....	second unit director

Art Department
Mark Adams	....	chargehand construction painter
Antonia Birk	....	art department coordinator
Sarah Breitlinger	....	construction painter
David Broadfoot	....	stand-by rigger
Clive Brown	....	property master: second unit
Watson Brown	....	construction carpenter
Roger Chopping	....	construction manager: concert sequences
Steven Davies	....	construction rigger (as Steve Davies)
Chris Forster	....	storyboard artist
Rupert Gartrell	....	construction carpenter
Nicole Gordon	....	upholsterer
Sue Griffiths	....	set dresser
Kevin Hegarty	....	dressing props
Ian Hills	....	construction rigger
Graham Jones	....	construction carpenter
Sarah Kane	....	assistant art director
Annie La Paz	....	construction painter (as Annie Lapaz)
Clifford Lay	....	stagehand (as Cliff Lay)
Jaspar Lester	....	stagehand
Toby Longin	....	construction carpenter
Clive Mitchell	....	construction carpenter
Ian Norgate	....	stand-by rigger
Neil 'Dulux' Palfreman	....	carpet layer
Matthew Parsons	....	construction painter
Martin Payne	....	construction carpenter
Mickey Powell	....	dressing props
Ben Pulsford	....	construction carpenter
Antoine Robin	....	chargehand construction carpenter
Stuart Rushbrook	....	construction carpenter (as Stewart Rushbrook)
Robert Sellers	....	stand-by props
Mary Pat Sheahan	....	upholsterer (as Mary-Pat Sheehan)
Ray Shield	....	carpenter: concert sequences
Soggy	....	carpenter: concert sequences
Geoff Stainthorp	....	construction carpenter (as Geoff Stainthorpe)
Bob Starrett	....	stand-by painter
Kaimen Stone	....	construction painter
Tony Stratham	....	construction painter
Robin Thistlewaite	....	construction manager (as Robin Thistlethwaite)
Peter Thompson	....	construction carpenter (as Pete Thompson)
John Watt	....	stand-by carpenter
Darren Wisker	....	stand-by props

Sound Department
Ben Barker	....	assistant sound editor
Mick Boggis	....	dubbing mixer
Nick Church	....	digital sound consultant
Tony Cook	....	boom operator
Felicity Cottrell	....	footsteps artist (as Felicity Cotterell)
Gillian Dodders	....	adr editor
Mike Dolling	....	sound engineer: concert sequences
Erik Evans	....	sound technician: concert sequences
Glenn Freemantle	....	supervising sound editor
Susan French	....	assistant sound editor
Max Hoskins	....	supervising sound editor
Tristan Johnson	....	sound technician: concert sequences
Alastair Mason	....	boom operator: second unit
Peter Maxwell	....	dubbing mixer
Colin Nicolson	....	production sound mixer
Clive Pendry	....	adr mixer
Jack Stew	....	footsteps artist
Hugh Strain	....	dialogue mixer
Ted Swanscott	....	footsteps mixer
Noel Thompson	....	sound assistant
Ian Voigt	....	sound mixer: second unit
Steve Hancock	....	sound studio technician (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Stuart Brisdon	....	special effects supervisor
James Davis III	....	special effects technician
Mark Haddenham	....	special effects technician
Lincoln Parkhouse	....	pyrotechnics: concert sequences
Mike Tilley	....	special effects technician (as Michael Tilley)

Visual Effects by
Paddy Eason	....	digital effects designer
Dan Glass	....	visual effects designer
Pete Hanson	....	studio manager: CFC
Rachael Penfold	....	visual effects producer: CFC
Tim Wellspring	....	visual effects assistant: CFC
Trevor Young	....	scanning and recording: The Film Factory at VTR (uncredited)

Stunts
Dani Biernat	....	stunt performer
Andy Bradford	....	stunt performer
Billy Bradstock	....	stunt performer
Peter Brayham	....	stunt coordinator
Helen Caldwell	....	stunt performer
Stuart Clark	....	stunt performer
Danielle da Costa	....	stunt performer (as Danielle Da Costa)
Frank Henson	....	stunt performer
Dave Holland	....	stunt performer
Crispin Layfield	....	stunt performer
Mark Lea	....	safety diver
Tom Lucy	....	stunt performer
Jeanette Plant	....	safety diver
Phil Richards	....	safety diver
Seon Rogers	....	stunt performer
Kiran Shah	....	stunt performer
Kev Sharp	....	safety diver
Julian Slater	....	safety diver
Tony Smart	....	stunt performer
Anna Stacey	....	stunt performer
Terry Walsh	....	safety diver

Camera and Electrical Department
Alex Bailey	....	still photographer
Ray Bateman	....	electrician
Martin Bloye	....	best boy
Keith Broome	....	focus puller: concert sequences (as Keith Broom)
Julian Bucknall	....	additional focus puller
Mick Casserly	....	electrician (as Mike Casserly)
Michael Cassidy	....	assistant camera
Giles Christopher	....	additional focus puller
Catherine Derry	....	clapper loader: concert sequences
Marcus Domleo	....	focus puller: concert sequences
Joe Dyer	....	camera operator: concert sequences
Charlie England	....	camera trainee
Paul Englefield	....	director of photography: second unit
Pat Fitzsimons	....	dimmer technician: concert sequences
Bob Freeman	....	grip: concert sequences
Jeremy Gee	....	camera operator
Damon Graham	....	rigger: concert sequences
Geoff Grewcock	....	dimmer technician: concert sequences
Rodrigo Gutierrez	....	camera operator: concert sequences
Micky Hand	....	gaffer (as Michael Hand)
Tom Harding	....	focus puller: concert sequences
Guy Hazel	....	additional clapper loader
Jeremy Hiles	....	camera operator
Baz Irvine	....	additional focus puller
Ian Jackson	....	camera operator
Tibor Kuo	....	VTR operator: concert sequences
David Matches	....	clapper loader
Dave Maxwell	....	lighting system operator: Icon, concert sequences
Steve Morgan	....	grip: second unit
Roger Nelson	....	lighting technician: conventional lighting, concert sequences
Steve Nolan	....	concert lighting director
Eugene O'Connor	....	camera operator: concert sequences
Niall Ogilvy	....	lighting technician: Icon, concert sequences
Ron Osman	....	video playback engineer
Jackie Oudney	....	clapper loader: second unit
Peter 'Fats' Parchment	....	lighting crew chief: concert sequences
Carl Powell	....	electrician
Alan Rank	....	grip
Gary Romaine	....	grip: concert sequences
Wayne Rowe	....	additional grip
Rob Roy	....	focus puller: concert sequences
Peter Scorah	....	grip: second unit
Steve Scott	....	lighting rigger: concert sequences
Martin Shepherd	....	focus puller: second unit
Jonathan Sykes	....	focus puller: "a" camera
Dean Thompson	....	additional focus puller
Steve Tickner	....	camera operator: concert sequences
Toby Tobias	....	VTR operator: concert sequences (as Toby Arnold)
Roger Tooley	....	Steadicam operator
Robin Wain	....	lighting production manager: concert sequences
Ingrid Weel	....	clapper loader: concert sequences (as Ingrid Weel-Sesson)
Grant Weir	....	electrician
Dominic Devine	....	electrician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Kate Bulpitt	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Eleanor Baker	....	wardrobe supervisor
Kenny Ho	....	wardrobe: second unit
John Laurie	....	wardrobe assistant
Seta Niland	....	stylist: Spice Girls
Dena Thanopoulos	....	wardrobe assistant

Editorial Department
Mark Edinoff	....	assistant picture editor
Paul Ensby	....	color grader
Jinx Godfrey	....	additional editor
Polly Jefferies	....	post-production assistant
Nicole Kavanagh	....	post-production coordinator
Paul Swann	....	laboratory liaison

Music Department
Peter Evans	....	music consultant
Maxine Hardcastle	....	vocalist
Michael Higham	....	additional programmer: songs
Tom Sayers	....	music editor
Dawn Soler	....	executive in charge of music (as Dawn Solér)
Mark Tucker	....	music recording engineer

Transportation Department
Shahbaz Alexis	....	unit driver
Martin Alylmore	....	driver: dining bus (as Martin Aylmore)
Bobby Atkinson	....	unit driver
Paul Attridge	....	unit driver
Dave Bedwell	....	driver: Winnebago
Marco Cervi	....	driver: minibus
Frank Church	....	driver: Winnebago
Nick 'Nocker' Curson	....	driver: props stand-by (as Nick Curson)
Dennis Davies	....	unit driver
Ray Gibbs	....	driver: wardrobe truck
Jim Hall	....	driver: props runaround
Christopher Keepin	....	driver: minibus (as Chris Keepin)
Dougie Lankston	....	driver: construction stand-by
Benn Mathias	....	runner driver
Rod McCreedie	....	driver: Winnebago (as Rod McCready)
David Phelan	....	unit driver
Garry Saunders	....	driver: camera car, second unit (as Gary Saunders)
Peter Scorah	....	driver: camera car
Bruno Shovelton	....	runner driver
Melvin Sparks	....	unit driver
Roger Sturtridge	....	driver: makeup truck
Costa Theochari	....	unit driver
Tommy Traylen	....	driver: Winnebago
Colin Williams	....	driver: Spice bus

Other crew
Erol Arguden	....	production runner (as Errol Arguden)
Mick Briggs	....	diving supervisor
Ian Buchan	....	production office runner
Heather Burton	....	production runner
Sarah Clackson	....	stand-in
Les Clifford	....	production crew services: concert sequences
Guy Cowan	....	caterer
Simon Crawford Collins	....	location manager: second unit
Natalie Davies	....	stand-in (as Natalie Davis)
Cressida Dawson	....	caterer
Sam Diamond	....	comms & time code: concert sequences
Ben Dixon	....	set runner: second unit
Katryn Dumble	....	accounts secretary
Tim Fraser	....	comms & time code: concert sequences
Sarah Garner	....	script supervisor
Emil Gharaphetian	....	security officer
Dez Gray	....	production runner
Mike Grove	....	production crew services: concert sequences
Vernon Hamilton	....	security officer
Judith Harris	....	assistant accountant
Richard Harris	....	accountant: Five Girls Ltd.
Dave Hayes	....	comms & time code: concert sequences
John Willie Hopkins	....	assistant: Mr. Spiers
Camilla Howarth	....	personal assistant: Spice Girls
Louise Hughes	....	stand-in
Nicole Kavanagh	....	assistant production coordinator
Sarah Lee	....	location manager
Maggie Lewty	....	continuity: second unit
Wayne Llewelyn	....	physiotherapist
Sarah Lucraft	....	production accountant
Dan McGrath	....	stand-in
Danny Melhuish	....	unit medic
Clare Mitchell	....	production associate
Richard Morrison	....	title designer
Sara Morris	....	assistant production coordinator
Rachel Pinfold	....	personal assistant: Spice Girls
Michelle Riley	....	stand-in
Jo Rogers	....	assistant: Messrs. Fruchtmann & Thompson
Priscilla Samuels	....	choreographer
Candida Scott-Knight	....	stand-in
David Seaton	....	production coordinator
Andrew Shaw	....	comms & time code: concert sequences
Asta Sighvats	....	stand-in
Julie Smith	....	unit publicist
Rebecca Sutton	....	floor runner
Allan Underwood	....	security officer
Jean-Pierre Verard	....	location assistant
Nicola Wakeman	....	stand-in
Susan Weeks	....	tutor chaperone

Thanks
Tim Angel	....	special thanks
Michael Budman	....	the producers would like to thank
Amanda Collins	....	the producers would like to thank (of Adrenalynn)
John Cooper	....	special thanks
Shaun Coyne	....	the producers would like to thank
Chris Crome	....	the producers would like to thank
Mark Furssedonn	....	special thanks
Jeremy Gawade	....	special thanks
Kathy Gee	....	special thanks
Simon Gee	....	special thanks
Stacey Hancox	....	special thanks
William Hunt	....	the producers would like to thank
Jerry Judge	....	special thanks
Mark Kanas	....	special thanks
Gary Litten	....	special thanks
Greg Lynn	....	the producers would like to thank (of Adrenalynn)
Kevin O'Shea	....	special thanks
Abigail Payne	....	special thanks
Chris Seagers	....	the producers would like to thank
Bob Storer	....	special thanks
Andrew Thompson	....	special thanks
Caroline Tipple	....	the producers would like to thank
Gerrard Tyrrell	....	special thanks
Gianni Versace	....	the producers would like to thank
David Wilder	....	special thanks
Tessa Wolpe	....	the producers would like to thank

Production Companies

• Columbia Pictures Corporation
• Spice Productions
• Fragile Films
• Icon Entertainment International (in association with)
• Polygram Filmed Entertainment (in association with)

Distributors

• Columbia Pictures (1998) (USA) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (Sweden) (1998) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International Finland (1998) (Finland) (theatrical)
• PolyGram Filmed Entertainment Distribution (1997) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• PolyGram Filmed Entertainment (1998) (Germany) (theatrical)
• REP Distribution (1998) (Australia) (theatrical)
• Rialto Film AG (1997) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Sogepaq Distribución (1997) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Aquarius TV (2005) (Greece) (DVD)
• Columbia TriStar Film Distributors International (Argentina)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (Australia) (VHS)
• Columbia TriStar Home Video (1998) (USA) (DVD)
• Columbia TriStar (Brazil) (DVD)
• Columbia TriStar (Brazil) (VHS)
• LK-TEL (Argentina) (VHS)
• PolyGram Video (1999) (Germany) (DVD)
• PolyGram Video (1998) (Netherlands) (VHS)
• Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) (North & South America & Portugal)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Computer Film Company, The (CFC) (swirly transitions, digital compositing) (as CFC)
• Just FX Special Effects and Supplies (pyrotechnics: concert sequences) (as Just FX)

Other Companies

• 19 Entertainment  acknowledgement
• AFM Lighting  lighting equipment supplied by
• AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  insurance
• Action Vehicles  vehicles supplied by
• Angels & Bermans  costumes supplied by
• Battersea Park  the producers would like to thank
• Brackmount Films  developed in association with
• British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)  the producers would like to thank
• Buffalo Shoes  the producers would like to thank
• Casio G-Shock  the producers would like to thank (as G-Shock)
• Ciné Image  titles and opticals (as Cine Image)
• Corporation of London, The  the producers would like to thank
• Crawford's Cars  artists' transport supplied by
• Crawford-THG  the producers would like to thank
• De Lane Lea  post-production services
• Dennis Davidson & Associates Public Releations (DDA)  public relations
• Docklands Development  the producers would like to thank (as London Docklands Development Corporation)
• Ealing Studios  the producers would like to thank (as Ealing Film Studios)
• Entec  sound system (concert sequences) (as Entec Sound & Light)
• Film Finances Services Ltd.  completion guarantor
• Film Images (London)  stock footage courtesy of
• Focus Transport Ltd.  artists' transport supplied by (as Focus Transport Services)
• Gee-Whiz Transport Services  art department vehicles supplied by (as Gee-Whizz Transport Services)
• Grip House  camera cranes
• Grip House  grip equipment supplied by
• Ham House, The National Trust  the producers would like to thank
• Harbottle & Lewis  legal services provided by (as Harbottle & Lewis Solicitors)
• Index Stock Shots  stock footage courtesy of
• Julian Hill Associates  security
• Kartouche  the producers would like to thank
• Kirbys  flying effects (as Kirby's Flying Ballets)
• Kodak  originated on Eastman Colour Film from
• Lambert Smith Hampton  the producers would like to thank
• Lavish Location  the producers would like to thank (as Lavish Film Locations)
• Lee & Thompson  legal services provided by (as Lee & Thompson Solicitors)
• Light and Sound Design  lighting equipment (concert sequences)
• Loseley Park  the producers would like to thank
• M-A-C  the producers would like to thank
• Metro Daylight Studio  the producers would like to thank
• Metropolis Studios  the producers would like to thank (as Metropolis Studios Limited)
• Midnight Transfer  film and tape transfers
• Ministry of Sound  the producers would like to thank
• Movie Makers  facilities vehicles supplier (as Movie Makers Facilities)
• Music & Arts Security  security
• NHS Trust  the producers would like to thank
• P.A.C.E.  the producers would like to thank
• Paul Hardcastle Studios  music recorded at (as Paul Hardcastle Studios, London, England)
• Peer Group  the producers would like to thank (for The Hop Exchange)
• Pentagon Autotint  the producers would like to thank
• Place Invaders  security & coning
• Plume  title sequence
• Polaroid  the producers would like to thank
• Polygon  the producers would like to thank
• Ray Knight Casting  crowd casting (as Ray Knight Casting Agency)
• Reel Food  catering (as Reel Food '96)
• Reelsound  post-production sound services (as Reelsound, Pinewood Studios)
• Road Runner Film Services  the producers would like to thank (as Roadrunner F.S.)
• Roots of Canada  the producers would like to thank (as Roots Canada)
• Sammy's  Moviecam cameras and lenses provided by
• Sapex Scripts  post-production script services
• Sargent Disc  computer services provided by (as Sargent-Disc Ltd., London)
• Shellys Shoes  the producers would like to thank
• Shipleys  auditors
• Sony Computer Entertainment Europe  the producers would like to thank ( as Sony Playstation)
• Stage Miracles  production crewing services (concert sequences)
• Sunseeker  action boat supplied by
• TDK Recording Media  the producers would like to thank (as TDK)
• Technicolor Film Services  laboratory
• Thames Wire Productions Company  the producers would like to thank (as Thames Wire)
• The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital  the producers would like to thank (as Chelsea & Westminster Healthcare)
• The City of Westminster  the producers would like to thank
• The London Film Commission  the producers would like to thank
• The Royal Albert Hall  the producers would like to thank
• Tower Bridge Experience, The  the producers would like to thank
• Tru-Cut  negative cutting (as Trucut)
• Turk Film Services Ltd.  camera & safety boats supplied by
• Veevers Carters Flowers  the producers would like to thank (for Interflora)
• Virgin Records  soundtrack available on (Spice and Spiceworld albums)
• Wavevend Communications  Motorolas supplied by (as Wavevend Radio Communications Limited)
• West End Travel  travel agent
• Whitehouse, The  edited at
• World Backgrounds Digital Library  stock footage courtesy of (as World Backgrounds)

Also Known As:

Five (UK) (working title)
Five Girls (UK) (working title)
Its Been a Hard 15 Minutes (UK) (working title)
Spice Girls (UK) (working title)
Spice Girls: The Movie (UK) (working title)
Spice Up Your Life! (UK) (working title)
Spice: The Movie (UK) (working title)
Spiceworld (UK) (alternative spelling)

MPAA:

Rated PG for some vulgarity, brief nudity and language.

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Malaysia:U | Iceland:L (original rating) | Iceland:LH (video rating) | USA:PG (Certificate No. 35602) | South Korea:12 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Brazil:Livre | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:o.Al. | Mexico:A | Netherlands:AL | Peru:PT | Portugal:M/6 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Burnham Beeches, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Two real world deaths after filming prompted edits to the movie. Mentions of both Princess Diana and the designer Versace were made in the film because they were both alive when the film was made but both died before its release.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: Reflected in Clifford's glasses when talking to Greydon about the movie for the first time.

Quotes:

[the girls are walking through woodlands scaring each other]
Sporty: Oh, *pack* it in, Mel!
Scary Spice: It wasn't me!

Movie Connections:

Spoofs A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Soundtrack:

Too Much

Much better & much funnier than you'd think

This movie is FUN. And the sad thing is that most people are too close-minded to see that. The general consensus seems to be: "It's the Spice Girls in a movie? It's going to be awful!" and either they never see the movie, or they allow their prejudices to judge the movie for them.

Firstly, let me say that I am not, and was never, a Spice Girls fan. I was way too old for their target market when they were popular, and whilst one or two of their songs had catchy tunes, some were downright annoying. They were a very cleverly manufactured girl band in a time when that market was wide-open. Giving each girl a distinctive character and style was a stroke of genius on the part of their 'creators', and while they didn't have particularly strong voices (except perhaps for Mel C), they didn't have particularly bad ones either. I've heard far worse. So I went into this movie purely out of curiosity, expecting it to be somewhere between awful and merely silly, but I ended up enjoying myself thoroughly. Also, my 65-year-old father loves this movie, and he saw it only having heard vaguely of the Spice Girls, but not knowing their music at all. Yes, Spiceworld is an exploitation movie; BUT it does an excellent job at it! What I loved most was the way it poked fun at itself all the way through. The character of the screenwriter pitching his idea to the girls' manager (brilliantly played by Richard E. Grant) saying "It's obvious to us that the Spicegirls are movie stars!", when it's obvious that they're not, and everyone knows it - there's even a scene at the beginning where he says, "Yes, but can they ACT?" and his boss responds with, 'Who cares?", or similar. I loved that. And while the girls CAN'T really act (some are worse than others; I've read that Victoria was the only one who had taken acting lessons before, but I can't say it showed since I thought she was the weakest link), it's obvious that they're having fun with the script, and they don't do too badly at all.

The script was another great surprise to me; it's full of good lines and funny characters that poke fun at themselves and their stereotypes. An example of this is the great Roger Moore playing the "Chief", who is presumably the Big Boss of the Spice Girls. We only ever see him on the phone with Clifford the manager (Richard E. Grant), and every time we do he is stroking, in pure Bond Villain (or Dr Evil) fashion, a small white animal on his lap. But every time you see him he has a different animal; first it's a cat, then a rabbit, a tiny white pig etc. I thought that was such a great way of poking fun at the stereotype of the villain always having a white pet. And then the character himself has these fantastically enigmatic, senseless, but hysterical lines, like: "When the rabbit of chaos is pursued by the ferret of disorder through the fields of anarchy, it is time to hang your pants on the hook of darkness. Whether they're clean or not." and: "The headless chicken can only know where he's been. He can't see where he's going. Do not be that chicken." I love that off-the-wall humour, and this movie is full of it. Of course, some people just don't GET that kind of humour, which is fine by me as long as it doesn't make them slam the film because of it.

Other moments I love, which elevate this film from could-have-been-dodgy to funny, are the casting of Meatloaf as the Spice Girls bus driver, and then having him say lines like: {on fixing the clogged toilets} "Hey, I love these girls. I'll do anything for them...but I won't do that!" - which is, of course, a play on Meatloaf's hit song "Anything for Love". Also the parody of the stereotypical characters of the girls, which of course were made up for them anyway, like Victoria not knowing what to wear, and Mel C saying "It must be really hard for you, Victoria, trying to decide whether to wear the little Gucci dress, or the little Gucci dress, or the little Gucci dress", and Victoria responding "Exactly!", or when Victoria falls into the Thames and continues to scream for help once she's been rescued, and yelling "This dress is dry-clean only!", or Geri saying "Calm down, haven't you ever heard of the word 'compromisation'?" There are scores of these great moments but they really work better in the film than if I wrote them down here. All I'm saying is that this movie is not ever in a million years as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Yes, it's not the greatest, but then most films aren't. It's so much funnier than you'd think, and yes it has its cheesy moments, but sometimes it's SUPPOSED to be cheesy! That's where it's funny. I really don't understand why this film, whose only aim was to be FUN, and in this it succeeded more than admirably in my opinion, is in IMDb's Worst.