Rating: 
Summary: Not as great as I had hoped
Review: I had hoped to see a film reminiscent of the colorful, happy musicals of the 40's and 50's, with chorus lines and big productions. But, much of the movie is not colorful, and doesn't approach the happy feelings imparted by earlier musicals.I would give the film one star up to the point when Richard Gere finally appears. From that point on, the movie gets better and better overall. If I could go back in time, knowing what I know now, I would plan to arrive at the theater around 20 minutes after the film started!
Rating: 
Summary: The Music - Not the Script - Leaves Me All That Jazzed
Review: The long-awaited and much-hyped movie version of Bob Fosse's theatrical production of "Chicago" will disappoint anyone looking for a deeply absorbing script - or sympathetic characters. What does, ultimately, engage the viewer is the stirring, toe-tapping and booty-shaking delight of the music. "Chicago" is a visceral, sensual sundae of inventive dance moves, excellent performances (Richard Gere's tap-dancing marvel halfway through the film drew applause the first time I saw the film) and songs that beg the listener (namely, myself) to sing along like a demi-diva on steroids. The movie's standout song (or one of them) is "Cell Block Tango" - a tour de force of female angst and aggression that, while wholly unsympathetic in its tepid rationales for its protagonists' acts of murder, manages to interject wry humor and sardonic commentary into the stunning dance moves and memorable harmonies. "Overture/And All That Jazz" opens the film, and it and later performances quickly draw the audience in - even when the screenplay disappoints. Queen Latifah was an excellent choice for the role of "Matron Mama Morton" - and she belts out "When You're Good to Mama" with conviction and confidence. Kudos to all the musicians, songwriters and choreographers who created this fun and fearless film. It ain't high drama, and it isn't exactly instructive. The characters don't stay with you after the curtain closes - but the music sure does. "Chicago" is a sensory delight - and sometimes that's just the elixir we need.
Rating:
Summary: Chicago delivers!
Review: I enjoyed this movie immensely. The music is lively, the dancing is fantastic and all the principal actors are wonderful in their roles. It is difficult to choose a favorite between the two female leads, because they're both so good, but it is Renee Zellweger's performance as murderess Roxie Hart that is the most realistic, though this may simply be because her character is the more fleshed-out of the two. I was also surprised to realize what a beautiful voice she has, a fact that comes wonderfully to light in her performance of "Funny Honey". Richard Gere (in the role of Roxie's lawyer Billy Flynn) is also very effective as a song-and-dance man. Vocally, he might not have the range of others, but he gamely puts his all into such songs as "All I Care About" and "Razzle Dazzle", and it is difficult to pull your attention away from him. Also worthy of note is Queen Latifah, as Matron "Mama" Morton and John C. Reilly, as Roxie's loyal schlep of a husband. I must also mention an actress (whose name I unfortunately don't remember) who makes the most of her small role as an innocent woman convicted of murder. Without giving too much away, it's an interesting point that it is the good people in Chicago that end up suffering. The one thing I didn't like about the movie was the fact that there is no crises of character, or moment of change, in any of the leads. Roxie is more fully realized than either Billy or Zeta-Jones' Velma, yet all three are grasping, unlikable people, and their characters stay pretty static throughout the film. This is necessitated in some respects, by the plot, yet it would have been refreshing to see at least one of the three learn something from the experience. There are only a few swear words and no nudity in the movie. However, there are some scenes of violence and racy dance numbers. Altogether, a very enjoyable film; you will be humming some of the tunes for days afterward.
Rating: 
Summary: When fame is all you desire
Review: This is probably the most entertaining movie I have seen in a long time. It is fun, funny, and absolutely original. Unlike any musical I've ever seen. Story is very unique, much to my surprise. Not at all what I thought it would be. Screenplay is brilliant, score and dance numbers are excellent, costumes and movie setting and everything that goes with it are perfect. Did I mention incredibly unique story? And the cast of this movie. I'm not sure that there is a need for me to spend much time describing how good all of them were. Just the fact that all of them received the Golden Globe nominations would speak for itself. But I will say few things anyway. This is Richard Gere's finest 2 hours in my opinion. And that is a pretty big statement considering his tremendous career, which I happened to be a great fan of. He is amazing to watch (along with everyone else). Who knew he had all of this inside him? Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renée Zellweger - Wow (I don't think I can describe their performances better). Queen Latifah - Mama got it going on. I always thought she was good, but had no idea she was that good. And there is John C. Reilly, man that stole every scene he was in. One actor that needs to be mentioned as well is Christine Baranski as Mary Sunshine. She may not be the biggest "movie star" so to speak, since she has spent most of her brilliant career in theater, but one thing needs to be said: talent just overflows out of her in everything she does. This is going down as one of the best and most original films of all time, at least on my list. No typical love story attached, no valuable life lessons to learn, just pure entertainment. Academy must get over their hang-ups about musicals and hand over every possible Oscar to this movie, because everyone involved in creating such a perfect movie deserves it. Enjoy the show.
Rating:
Summary: Chicago is all that jazz!
Review: The days of Hollywood musicals are back with the release of Chicago. I cannot even begin to applaud this movie that is everything anyone would want in a musical. Basically the plot is as follows: Velma Kelley (Zeta-Jones) is a cabaret star in 1920's Chicago who murders her husband and sister after she discovers their affair. This double murder skyrockets Velma to fame. Roxie Hart (Zellweger)is a wannabe star who uses murder to rise to fame. Roxie and Velma meet when they are both imprisoned in the infamous Murders Row. There they are taken under the wing of Matron Mama Morton, wonderfully acted by Queen Latifah, who helps them get lawyer Billy Flynn (Gere) who has never lost a case. The stage is set for one of the greatest musical plots to unfold. The only difference between the musical and the movie is that the musical numbers occur in Roxie's head allowing them to be as magnificent as they can be. Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere are excellent in their roles and they can definitely sing their hearts out. With the songs "All that Jazz," "Nowadays/Hot Honey Rag," and "Roxie Hart," this movie proves that musicals are back. Everyone should see it.
Rating: 
Summary: All those amateurs.
Review: Hollywood's delusion that the movie musical -- as we understand the term -- is making a comeback continues with Rob Marshall's *Chicago*, an adaptation of the Broadway show. Like last year's *Moulin Rouge*, this movie relies on fast editing that IMPLIES musical numbers more than it actually SHOWS them. And in any case, the numbers are represented as "fantasies" of the different characters (taking the artificiality of the genre to its logical conclusion), permitting Marshall to shoot the thing in a glum, rather seedy, exceedingly dark palette. The idea being, of course, to make it all look not as second rate as it so obviously is. Though somewhat less hyper than Baz Luhrmann's film, Marshall still doesn't permit the camera to coherently document the choreography. What are these directors trying to hide? Rank amateurishness, I'm afraid, though at least Zeta-Jones has clearly had some background in musical theater. But one has to ask oneself why she ended up in movies, rather than sticking to the stage. The answer is: she's not terrible at this sort of thing, but she's not all that great, either. Renee Zellweger, scrawny and petite next to the all-mammae-and-flanks Zeta-Jones, is way out of her depth, here. (Most of her numbers have a good deal of spoken lyrics, to mitigate her inadequacy as a singer.) And let it be said that Richard Gere will not be compared to Gene Kelly.
Rating:
Summary: Chicago
Review: I went to see "Chicago" without any expectations and WOW,I just fell in love with the movie.The music is great,the lyrics are so funny I ended up buying the soundtrack so I could hear it again (and again).Catherine Zeta-Jones put everthing in her singing and dancing.I was surprised by Renee Zellweger's talent.The whole movie was a wonderful surprise.The editing was superb.Queen Latifah and John C Reilly were PERFECTLY cast.the theater broke out in applause for Richard Gere's dance scene.I thought his singing sounded like somone from that era.For all the people who worked on the show it was a flawless wonderful movie.San Ramon
Rating:
Summary: Take a trip to Chicago!!!!!!!
Review: With the success of "Moulin Rouge", and now "Chicago", the public seems to be hungry for a genre in Hollywood that has been absent for far too long----the movie musical. In recent years, it seems only animated films with musical numbers such as those from Disney, for example, succeeded. Now "Chicago", following in the foot steps of "Moulin Rouge" is eager to buck the trend. Stylish, well acted and well sung, this movie succeeds in all areas. The choices of Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah and John C. Reilly could not have been better. The Golden Globes awarded Zellweger and Gere, the actress and actor trophies in comedy/musical and gave the film the nod for best comedy/musical. It is well deserved. The story moves along smoothy and the musical numbers melt into the plot perfectly. The choreography is flawless and the actors can actually belt out a tune!! Hopefully, Hollywood and the public will take notice and make this movie the blockbuster it deserves to be. This will definitely be a dvd I will add to my collection. Check it out!!!!! You WILL NOT be disappointed!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Everything old is new again!
Review: It was interesting to note that the vast majority of the audience at the screening I attended was at least middle-aged--people (like me) who grew up on lavish Hollywood musicals and who were not one bit disappointed by this film. A beautifully styled production, with razor-sharp editing and rewardingly good performances across the board, the film owes a great deal to Dennis Potter whose groundbreaking Pennies From Heaven and The Singing Detective used startling and unexpected musical numbers to embellish his often somber plots. The treat in this film is its energy and the discovery that John C. Reilly has a wonderful tenor voice to accompany his always reliable acting talent. Richard Gere is delightful as the venal lawyer and Renee Zellweger as Roxie Hart is coltishly appealing. But Zeta-Jones finally shows us, once and for all, what she can do. And it's a whole lot: she sings and dances up a storm in a part she makes entirely her own. The bonus is Queen Latifah who is just plain great. For a feel-good evening, with lots of laughs and a soundtrack that had all those middle-agers dancing up the aisles as the credits rolled, don't miss this. It's time very well spent.
Most highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A WONDERFUL MUSICAL - NON-STOP DANCING, MUSIC AND FUN
Review: This film successfully transitions Bob Fosse's smash musical (currently in revival on Broadway) to the screen. Director Rob Marshall imaginatively uses the film techniques at his disposal to keep the audience engaged thru the fast pace and switches between reality and Roxie's fantasies. The story is set in the dance halls and theaters of the Roaring Twenties, and involves love, murder and an examination of the difference between notoriety and fame and the fleeting nature of success. Roxie Hart (Renee Zellewegger) is a girl who dreams of being a musical star, as is her role model Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones). They soon both are in jail awaiting trial for murders that they have committed, and vie for the attention of attorney Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), the hot shot lawyer who has never lost a capital case. They also attempt to capture the media spotlight, given the headline-grabbing nature of their crimes of passion, Velma's fame, and the press sensationalism of the time. While Zeta-Jones was already an accomplished dancer, all the performanes are excellent, and it is a tribute to Zellwegger and Gere that while perhaps not up to the quality of Broadway stage performers they handle the musical and dancing aspects of their roles so well. (Richard Gere engaged in a huge amount of practice for the tapdancing scene alone.) Queen Latifah utilizes her talents to the fullest and is wonderful as the manipulative prison matron. John C. Reilly does a superb job as Amos, Roxie's faithful and loving husband who is not the brightest star in the sky. (His musical routine as "the Cellophane Man" is captivating.) But remember that this is a big stage musical on the screen, not a complicated plot or a moving and emotional drama. The story is only a vehicle for the incredible music and the marvelous dance routines of Bob Fosse, and totally succeeds in that attempt. So go to enjoy an hour and forty-five minutes of action and fun and to see the wonderful performances of the cast. (And at a small fraction of the price that you would pay for tickets to the Broadway show.) Hopefully, the artistic and commercial success of CHICAGO will cause other producers, directors and actors to realize the potential of current Broadway shows to become hit films and encourage them to revive this almost forgotten form of movie release.
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