More noisy than 'Joyful'

As might be expected, Dolly Parton’s gospel gown is fitted to show off her most notorious assets as she praises Jesus in “Joyful Noise.” That about sets the tone.

“Joyful Noise” can best be explained as a combination of “The Fighting Temptations,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “Glee.” Larger-than-life performances and characters dominate the film.

If nothing else, “Joyful Noise” is efficient.

The entire plot is set up in the first fifteen minutes, leaving plenty of time for some good country singin’ and soul in the remaining hour.

There is no shortage of gospel adaptations of lively pop songs here.

Many, such as the church-boy rendition of Usher’s “Yeah,” are clearly trying too hard. The club song’s lyrics were altered to “That’s when I told God, I said ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah!’”  Yeah...

To be fair, however, the choir’s version of Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” was a standout moment in the film. Keke Palmer, who plays Queen Latifah’s daughter Olivia, has a hell of a voice.

“Joyful Noise” was neither original nor particularly good, but it did seem to entertain the middle-aged women that filled the crowded matinee screening.