Rating: 
Summary: A stunning cast with a spectacular performance
Review: This is a spectacular film adaptation of the famous musical bearing the same name. Among the cast you can see a spectacular cast of Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere and Renee Zellweger, bringing before you the show business on stage and in real life. These people, seemingly unrelated in any sense being originally living in three different worlds were brought together by the legal system, which turn out to be a stage for the show business of ruthless lawyers to earn a fortune out of it. The movie weaved all the song and dance numbers tightly together creating a mysterious but fantastic world of Jazz and dance, life and death, glamour and darkness. Catherine Zeta-Jones is stunning as usual as the arrogant stage performer Velma Kelly who despised other people?s as low life sucking up to her. Renee Zellweger as Roxie, who lives between her own fantasy world of stage and struggle in her real life, finally learn the trick of survival in a greater stage performance brought to her by her ruthless and daring lawyer Richard Gere. The performance of the cast is fabulous and the tap dance of Richard Gere should be a part that should not be missed. Renee though portrayed a different person as Roxie, still show glimpses of Bridget Jones from time to time. Nonetheless, the overall performance was not affected by that for both characters lived in dreams from time to time. Singing wise, the standard is average, but the show was supplemented by high quality acting not only from the leads but all from the supporting cast including Queen Latifah as Matron Mama Morton and John C. Reilly as the unfortunate supportive husband of Renee. Chicago is a movie full of actions (in terms of dancing) and entertainment that could get you moving your feet along with it in the theatre.
Rating: 
Summary: Chicago Will Hopefully Bring Back the Big-Screen Musical
Review: If you want to leave a theater happily tapping your feet, singing a song, and yearning for the age of the big-screen musical, go see "Chicago." This high energy romp has outstanding choreography, cinematography, costuming, and all that jazz. But most surprising of all, this movie has three well-known actors previously unknown to me for their singing and dancing talents that literally filled the theater with energy and enthusiasm.Two big thumbs up to Richard Gere (who knew he could sing and tap-dance?) Renee Zellweger, and Catherine Zeta-Jones who turn in admirable performances. From the opening sequence when Zeta-Jones belts out "All That Jazz" you will be overwhelmed by the sheer intensity and downright fun of this film. There are so many highlights and unforgettable moments, but my favorites in addition to the Zeta-Jones opener were Gere's "Razzle Dazzle," John C. Reilly's "Mister Cellophane," Queen Latifah's "When You're Good to Mama," and every moment Renee Zellweger was on screen, especially her show-stopping marionette duo with Gere, "We Both Reached for the Gun." Not only will I buy the DVD, but I will see this one again in theaters. That's high praise for a movie that was third on my list to see, but I bought the ticket only because the other two were sold out the day I went. Go see this one and hope Hollywood decides to give us more of this caliber.
Rating:
Summary: My Kind of Movie
Review: In the past, I have never really been interested in movies that consist of mainly large musical numbers accompanied with Broadway dancing (Grease is an exception). I saw the play Fosse (the man who wrote Chicago), and I didn't like it very much, but Chicago is amazing. The story is fair; good enough not to complain about, but no Lord of the Rings. The acting is very good, but once again, no Lord of the Rings. It's the music and dance numbers are the real money makers for this movie, though. Roxie Hart (Renée Zellwegger) has always wanted to be famous, but when she kills a lying boyfriend, she becomes infamous! She imagines everything as a show, including her trial (check out Richard Gere's suit in that scene!). I guarantee that you will enjoy this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Chicago = Music + Spectacle + 15 Minutes of Fame
Review: As one who is a big fan of the Busby Berkeley musicals of the 1930s, I appreciate the slam-bang musical that is CHICAGO. Director Rob Marshall has chosen Al Capone's Chicago as the backdrop for a musical based on a series of court trials of otherwise good women who kill their cheating or otherwise abusive spouses. Catherine Zeta-Jones is Velma Kelly, a brash-talking brunette who kills her sister and husband for having an affair and, without missing a beat, goes back to work singing and dancing up a storm. Watching her perform is Renee Zellweger as Roxie Hart, who has just plugged her own lover for lying about a promise to introduce her to a talent agent. While all this shooting is going on, the details of this dancing duo's past is recounted in the oddest of ways. Director Marshall slips the viewer in and out of reality by superimposing song and dance routines that highlight the details of their respective cases. These routines are magnificent and quite carry the viewer along with their sheer kinetic energy. Queen Latifah is the dyke prison guard known as Momma, who has her own show stopping tunes. Richard Gere is the sleazy lawyer Billy Byrne who not only defends Zeta-Jones and Zellweger, but also brags about his never having lost a case. By the time the closing credits roll, the viewer learns how he has managed that little trick. The entire film is an opulent non-stop ensemble of song and dance that masks a core of blatant nihilism. It is no coincidence that Capone's Chicago is the setting. Few cities in American history had been as criminally wide open as Chicago. Capone was but the tip of moral vacuum iceberg through which nearly every character in the movie is more flawed than one cares to see initially. Zeta-Jones kills two people, and her superimposed song routine brags that they had it coming. In prison, she establishes that she is at the top of the inmate pecking order with a barrage of insults to the newly arrived Zellweger, who proves, in turn, that she can give as good as she gets by learning the ropes of the court hustle spectacle from her sleazebag lawyer Gere. In fact, the difference between Zeta-Jones and Zellweger shrinks as the movie progresses, until by the end, except for their divergent hair styles, they are joined at the hip. Gere warns both that fame in Chicago is the most fleeting of ephemera. His warnings come so often that they form a subtext that suggests that even in the raucus world of show business, the end justifies the means. I wonder that after having seen and heard the smashing tunes that form the bulk of CHICAGO, did the viewer ever think of peeking under those tunes to see whether any basic human values got trampled on. I know that I did, and the cumulative glitz and hoopla that mesmerized me for two hours suddenly seemed crudely tarnished.
Rating:
Summary: Razzle Dazzle
Review: Finally! Someone made a FABULOUS movie musical! A movie musical that actually gives you the same leaving-the-theater-euphoria usually only experienced at live shows. I love the Broadway version of CHICAGO and was so incredibly pleasantly suprised when I went to see the movie (with some theater friends) and ADORED it (so did the theater friends!). This is one of the few movie musicals that actually translates well on-screen. It is what CABARET only wished it could be. The raw, palpitating energy is phenomenal. And, they gave a nod to the Great White Way by including Dedriee Goodwin and Chita Rivera in the cast list-- bravo! Renee Zellweger CAN sing AND dance! Very impressive. Her singing voice is lovely...very earthy and expressive. Her dancing matches Catherine Zeta-Jones' and her acting is superb. What a relief! Her Roxie is reminiscent of Marylin Monroe, but it is very effective. Of course, Catherine Zeta-Jones is sexy as usual. And we knew she could sing and dance, because, well, that's how she got her start. It is cool to see her finally get to use it on screen. Richard Gere: well. He is good. I was very happy with his tap dancing. And, well, he plays the cocky attorney flawlessly. But his singing is, er, a bit shaky. I was amazed at his high notes--quite pure and on-key. He's just very nasal. Probably because he's untrained, but it just bothered me a little. I longed for Jerry Orbach. Watch for the Cell Block Tango-- it's breathtaking! And Queen Latifah is really a kick-butt Mama Morton.(Why did they never think of a soulful Mama for the stage version beats me-- she rocked!) The only songs I missed were "Class" and "A Little Bit of Good In Everyone" (Mary Sunshine was highly miscast, but oh well.) Words cannot describe this one. Go see it, and see it in theaters. It's worth every penny. And lets all thank the producers of "Moulin Rouge" for bringing back musicals... it was worth watching Nicole Kidman try to sing for the reward Hollywood has reaped with this absolutely perfect CHICAGO. And all that jazz!
Rating:
Summary: excellent film! a truly great on screen adaptation
Review: Lights, camera....DAZZLE ME! Talk about a non-stop ride from start to finish. Do you guys know just how hard it is to shoot a musical? Wow! I was thoroughly impressed with the singing talents of our beautiful starlets, the characters personalities, the vivid style of the choreography, the flow of the entire plot...do you get the point? This should fair well come Oscar time. I really don't need to see the stage version but I'd still like to someday. It's a lot easier to see on the big screen than Moulin Rouge was...it's not as crazy in the mtv-style editing dept. as Rouge was, this was considerably easier on the eyes to view. The songs were excellent, the humor on target, the style, glamour, and glitz well-portrayed....as Gere says, "This *is* Chicago!"
Rating:
Summary: Not "Moulin Rouge", but very Fosse
Review: I am a great fan of the musical idiom (and Fosse, in particular), and saw the recent revival of "Chicago" on Broadway with Ann R. and Bebe N. just prior to its official opening. I felt that the movie (and its dance sequences) was somewhat uneven, but was wowed by Catherine Zeta-Jones, who more than lived up to the challenge of her role. Too often I thought that Rene Z. was aping Jennifer Tilly (in "Bullets Over Broadway") and that she wasn't nearly the musical/dancing match for Rene Z. But, most of all, Richard Gere's shortcomings to sell his part as a singer and dancer detracted from the role... I would rather have seen an ancient Jerry Orbach reprise that role, as Gere was only competent when the script called for acting talent, where his ability to play the smug part of Billy worked for me. The production values, photography, and sets were outstanding and, in the end, I was very glad that the movie had been made. Despite all of the above carping, I look forward to eventually owning the DVD, and especially to find out why the gem of a song "Class" didn't make it into the final cut. How wonderful it is that Hollywood in the last 2 years has finally seen fit to bring us some "in your face" musicals (read: "Moulin Rouge"), and hope that the much discussed "Guys and Dolls" continues that trend.
Rating:
Summary: Pop...Six...Squish...Uh Uh...Cicero...Lipschitz!!!
Review: Did I hear the word Oscar? This film deserves more than an Oscar. It deserves 100 Oscars!!! I wouldn't know where to begin with what deserves the Oscar. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger and Richard Gere all bring out their hidden talents and perform one of the greatest musicals of all time!!! I fell in love with Moulin Rouge and I knew that I would love this one too. And I did. Full of color, liquor and all that jazz, this musical was born by first-time director Rob Marshall, who also did the choreography!!! Who wouldn't want to be a part of this? My favorite scene of the film is where they perform the Cell Block Tango. The performance by Catherine, Mya and the other supporting performers was outstanding, exotic and funny at the same time. If you are a lover of musicals, this is the film for you. I hope everyone gets a chance to see this movie. It is awesome. P.S. Congrats to CHICAGO on winning not one, but three Golden Globes. Chicago, you rock. The Oscars were on last night and what a show!!! I loved the performance of I MOVE ON performed by Catherine Zeta-Jones and Queen Latifah. It still bugs me why Renee didn't perform instead of Queen, because she sings the song on the soundtrack. Besides that, CHICAGO won 6 OSCARS including BEST PICTURE!!! Way to go! Can't wait for the DVD!!!
Rating:
Summary: Roxy Hart's Favorite Movie
Review: A movie with a character named Roxie Hart would have to be the favorite movie of a writer named Roxy Hart. I loved this movie. Renee, Richard and Catherine amazed me with their singing and dancing ability. Especially Renee. There doesn't seem to be any limit to what she can accomplish. Many are familiar with the story of a woman who murders her lover and then is subjected to all of the surrounding publicity. This movie gives that story a bit of a spin, making Roxie an aspiring singer (taken with her idol Catherine Zeta-Jones who plays a wonderful Velma) and murdering her lover who supposedly can get her into show biz but has just been using her for sex. The fun begins when Richard Gere, smarmy lawyer agreed to take on her case, because she has $5,000. This is a role that Gere was made to play. Gere reeks of slickness and shiftness in the same manner as Johnnie Cochran. (I almost expected Gere to say something like "If it doesn't fit you must acquit") Roxie's trial itself is turned into showbiz. And how true it rings, given the recent spate of celebrity trials from Winona Ryder to Robert Downey Jr. to the epitome of it all, the OJ trial. I loved Gere's tap dance; great symbolism for the fact that the truth means nothing - it's all in the presentation. John C. Reilly, who plays Amos, Roxie's husband, is worth noting. His sadness at his wife's trial, is unfliching loyalty and his reaction to his wife's indifference over his love for her are moving. His major number is "Mr. Cellophane", which is simply a showstopper. It is poignant, sweet, unassuming and simpe, without all of the glitz and glare that surrounds his wife. A running joke is that Flynn continualy refers to "Amos" as "Andy", except one time and I won't spoil that part for you because it is funny. Queen Latifah shines as Mama, the prison matron who is not above being bought. She really only gets one big musical number which is excels at. Unlike alot of musicals, the music in Chicago is used to advace the story, not interrupt it. The fact that most of the singing and dancing takes place in Roxie's head are an effective way of telling the story without making it too talky. This was sheer genius on director Rob Marshall's part. All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango and Roxie's theme are standout numbers, as is the scenes where Flynn is dangling the press like puppets in "They Both Reached for the Gun". The overall message in all of this is that fame is fleeting and you better do what you can with your 15 minutes of it because you can be yesterday's news just like that. One minute you vsn be front page news, the next minute your face may as well be on a milk carton. Chicago does great justice to Bob Fosse's vision. It already won three Golden Globes and some Oscars are probably just around the corner.
Rating:
Summary: Even if you don't like musicals, try it.
Review: I've seen this musical at the cinema now three times, once by myself and twice with friends. Clearly, as you can understand, I love it. It's fun, vibrant, well-acted. The singing and dancing are great, and the awards it's sure to win are deserved. The reason I'm reviewing it, though, is to tell you that one friend I brought with me, who usually hates traditional musicals but did like MOULIN ROUGE, loved this movie and wants me to take her to see it again. She explained it well when I asked her how CHICAGO, with its cast of the amazing Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, John C. Reilly and Queen Latifah, won her over. She attributed most of it to the genius plot twist of having all the stage musical numbers occur within Roxie Hart's showbiz-crazed, fame-hungry mind. "This time, they only sing because she sees them singing," my friend said. "And they sing when it's appropriate. It's not just like some guy's walking down the street and bursts into song, and everyone else around him somehow knows the dance steps. It rocks." The energy level of the film is high, and everyone looks like they're having a great time. That mood is contagious. The film wins you over.
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