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Summary: Correcting Bennet Turk's Historical Critique
Review: The line in the movie, Chicago, does not refer to the State of Illinois in the number of women executed. It states "Cook County." And since your research finds no women executed in Cook County prior to this, then it is actually historically accurate. I have seen this stunning movie 6 times and can hardly wait until August 19th.
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Summary: It's true that some just don't get it.
Review: The last two reviews of this film were as subjective as reviews could possibly be but what they lack is the ability to step back and actually look at what they've reviewed. This film is about immoral people but that doesn't change it's punch and it's honesty as both a musical and morality play skewed toward the cynical way we Americans view fame. As musicals go this is not Singing in the Rain or South Pacific, but it does have heart, guts and good musical talent just as the latter musicals had even if not in the same context. I find myself rooting for the little murderesses and not because I want them to get away with their crimes but to admire their spunk, guile and tenacity. On top of that who's worse; the ladies using the media or the public who allows, and gullibly applauds this manipulation? This film makes no effort to forgive the gals of their crimes, nor does the story try to make them out to be misguided little girls who deserve a shot at redemption. The sleazy lawyer who works to get them off the hook is also no nobleman. He's a vile but witty cad who exploits every trick in the book (as well as creating a few new ones) to defend the ladies. Couple that with the nearly flawless portrayals of the characters and their near perfect dance routines and I have to highly recommend this genuine musical. Renee' Zellweger is a treat as the seemingly naive minx aspiring to stardom and stupid enough to put herself within reach of the state's gallows. Catherine Zeta Jones as the very jaded, chain smoking Velma is wonderfully nasty but also no slouch when it comes to getting her way (learning a little humility along the way). At the heart of these two characters are women who've come to believe that fame and wealth are the only goals worth attaining. Their lawyer feels exactly the sme way in his shameless pursuit of difficult but very high profile, and very profitable cases. Richard Gere is a strange selection for the portrayal of this fellow. However, his skills were considerably better than I'd hoped and I found him not only convincing but downright engrossing as he wore this cretin's skin.The dance numbers clearly owe a nod to the master Bob Fosse who first adapted this story for the stage years ago.Fosse's urban cynicism oozes from these songs and dance numbers. Jones and Zellwegger are very good in their numbers. They're sincere efforts but not flawless. Despite that I found those efforts to be better than routine. They truly put themselves into their roles and played their characters with gusto.Character flaws fully exposed and elaborated on I still admired the spirit of these scoundrels if not the scoundrels themselves, well, maybe I have to confess to being a little taken with the bold lot of them. Queen Latifa (sp?) was another treat fully in her character and sumptuous in her performance. She conveyed such ease with her character it was like watching a person in a long running series, fully confortable with her role after years of playing it.Now, is this a great film musical? No, but it certainly is enjoyable and a far cry from what's been passing for musicals in recent years. Catchy tunes, good dancing and an engaging story and an inherent wit makes this much more than watchable. On top of that it has a surprising cast in the lead players as well as support characters. John C. Reilly's character as the poor slob married to Zellwegger's treacherous gal is another treat. He's the guy nobody sees, almost literally. He takes this one poor sap and plays him as the only guy with a conscience (though manipulated as it is) in this miasma of schemers and scammers. He's sincere, hopeful, but ultimately doomed to be background clutter. He's used when he's needed, ignored when he's not, and this fact becomes painfully evident to him as the film progresses. His musical number is subtle but if you really watch and listen you'll see that he's really putting himself into the position fully realized in the song. His number gave me chills upon repeated viewings. He's a decent guy but also a loser in love with someone who most likely will never know love.Rent this. See if it shakes your tree.
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Summary: Missing the Point
Review: Those who have condemned Chicago for its characters and subject matter are missing the point. When he wrote this musical Fosse was satirizing a society in which the appetite for sensationalism has led to the glamorization of criminals and the corruption of our government and justice system. The twenties were notorious for this. However, Fosse couched it in such an appealing manner so that it was only upon reflection that people realized who and what they had been rooting for, thus proving his point. If something is entertaining and sensational enough people will pay to see it regardless of its moral values. Chicago is a fabulous production and does justice to Fosse's original vision. While some people have condemned the singing in the film it is consistent with recordings from that period and, for me at any rate, instantly evoked the time period. I think Chicago is a great production and worth seeing at least once.
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Summary: One of the Best Movies I have ever seen!
Review: I originally had no interest in seeing this movie, but I took a chance and I was blown away! This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. It's funny, fast-paced, the singing and dancing are great, and the artistic quality was wonderful. I ran out and bought the CD immediately and will pre-buy the DVD. Don't miss this film, you will regret it!
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Summary: Chicago is a fantastic film, pre-order it right now!
Review: Chicago was such a fantastic movie, I saw it 4 times in theaters! It totally deserved to be named BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR. It is fun to watch, enjoyable to listen to, and a keepsake movie that will go down in history.
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Summary: Chicago was EXCELLENT!
Review: If you look at this movie from an entirely moral perspective there is no doubt that you will find the subject and plot-line thoroughly unappealing...however if you look at the work as a whole--the cinematography, the choreography, the acting, the singing, and the dancing, you will truly appreciate it for what it is, a work of art. Having not seen Moulin Rouge I can make no comparison between the two, and don't want to anyway. If you call Chicago a "New Age" musical about the doldrums, downfall and moral degredation of our society you are forgetting that it is a Broadway musical and has been on stage for more than 25 years. Being a dancer myself the dance scenes in the film are amazingly choreographed, and performed just as well. To think that in three weeks off of dance I am already out of shape, and then to look at Catherine Zeta-Jones hit those dance numbers home amazes me. She's incredible, as is Richard Gere, and Renee Zellweger. I only have ONE complaint. In "The Gun" the reporter who sings- I forget her name- tries to do an Entrechat (ballet) and it looks HORRIBLE because her legs are completely turned in. Well, I hope that you rent this movie when it comes out, not just to see a great movie, but to get exposed to what the world of the Peforming Arts really is like...It's a DOG EAT DOG world...
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Summary: Greatest Musical adapted to Movie Ever
Review: Of any musical, from '42nd Street' to 'Cats', I have never seen any more amazing musical brought to the big screen. The lighting, music, sexy costumes, great cast, and dance routines, all of it is great. It stars Renee Zellweger as Roxie, the want-to-be star in a Chicago club. Then there's Catherine Zeta-Jones portraying Velma Kelly, an established star put in jail for the murder of her sister and husband. Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), the best lawyer in town, never lost a case. And then there is Mama (Queen Latifah) the matron. It starts out with "All That Jazz" where Roxie sees Velma sing/dance. She then goes home with her friend who she thinks will get her into the bigtime when she shoots him. She ends up in jail and meets Velma there for the murder of her husband and sister. Once in jail, she meets Matron "Mama" Morton who likes her and says that ..."when she's good to mama...mama's good to you." Roxie hears all of the ladies stories from the Cell Block Tango...like "oh, he ran into my knife ten times" or "you know some men just can't hold their arsenic!" Roxie learns that if she doesnt win the case, she will be hung unless...unless she has Billy Flynn. Roxie's devoted husband Amos (John C. Reily) pays for the lawyer and after Velma's attention in all the news, everyone is now onto Roxie and her case. Everyone loves Roxie! The trial is set and after all they worked out, they got it good. After she is found innocent some pictures are shot until another woman shoots her husband and Roxie is old news. Velma then comes to Roxie and offers her an act with her and then together, they are hot stuff..."Nowadays!!!!" From Zeta-Jones to Reily or to Queen Latifah, all of them have talent and it is no wonder it swooped "Best Just-About-Everything" at the 2003 Academy Awards. I have seen it three times and I will have it pre-ordered with Amazon.com! CHECK IT OUT after all..."it's all...that...JAAAAAAAAAAZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!"
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Summary: moulin rouge is great...but chicago's perfect
Review: ok...First of...this movie is one of the best musicals i've seen so far. Moulin Rouge wasgreat too, but the songs weren't original.Maybe some of he lyrics i guess, but most of the songs were from Madonna. That's not bad thing, but it takes away all the fun. On the other hand, Chicago was very entertaining,plus interesting.(i guess it's cuz i'm from chicago.) Anyway, i don't know if these songs were original, but it made me sing them over and over again. Moulin Rouge had one perfect scene, and it was sorta weird from there. Both movies are very funny, but i found Chicago MORE interesting. Although I know the baroque,classical,romantic eras of music, i wonder if the music in moulin rouge was correct. cuz when they sang material girl and stuff,i didn't think there was technical music.(disco or something futuristic.) Anyway, Chicago's a great movie. no wonder it got multiple academy awards.
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Summary: A Stunning Renovation to a Fantastic Musical
Review: I do not agree with some of the comments being made about this movie. "Chicago" is a work of art. The musical was originally based on a play written in the 20s, which was based on a true story . It's not a new musical like Moulin Rouge, which has been more tailored for our modern tastes. "Chicago" has a great underlying story and teaches us a lot about showbiz and the human condition (with songs like "Mister Cellophane").
I can say nothing but great things about this musical. It's an old musical that has been revamped into a wonderful work of art. Zellweger and Zeta-Jones could not have been cast better.
Watch this movie. You won't regret it.
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Summary: The Musical Speaks the TRUTH!
Review: In movies, we see the prince carrying the princess away on a horse as they head toward the sunset... but. You never find out what happens to them after that! How do the authors now they will live happily ever after? This is a continuation of a fairy tale. Only it shows reality. It shows history of the Roaring '20's at their most exciting moment. This musical shows more than excitment, it shows reality, but adding music to it makes the audience have more of a comical impression of a serious situation. It also relaxes some people, because Roxie speaks to the bad girl/boy in all of us. This musical truly speaks for itself, and it helps us realize how much our decision affect us, and helps us learn how many people are affect as well. Beautiful musical, full of fun and comical suspence! I love it!!!!
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