Rating: 
Summary: Perfect Casting; perfect story...
Review: Ok folks I was lucky enough to score sneak preview tickets and I got two things to say: 1. if you think that this movie will be just like Moulin Rouge, you're in for a surprise. and 2. if you think that it'll be like what the trailer depicts it will be, (as I did) then you're wrong. (as I was.) This movie is loads more fun. It didn't pick up where "Rouge" left off, but it was fun at the same time.
Perfect casting really helped. I feel I could go on for hours about Renee Zelwegger. She deserves the Oscar and after all they still owe her one for Jerry McGuire. She so fit the part of her character.
Heck, they did such a good job with this movie, I even like Richard Gere in it. And Im a notorious Gere basher. I mean lets face it, he ruined "mothman", he ruined "Unfaithful". But this was so well written he seemed to add to it. I mean its not everyday that you see him dancing around in his underwear singing. (just see the movie and take my word for it: it's stunning) I cant say enought about the casting. Every one of the leads played their part to perfection and was perfect for the part. And some I didn't think could sing and dance that well. I was thoroughly entertained. I felt the way they filmed some of the song and dance scenes really made you feel as though they were playing it up as though all of life was like vaudville. Which, i don't know if it was true, but was fun to see none the less.
The only down fall; the songs almost come at you too fast and furious. It somewhat took away from the story a bit. But other than that if you like musicals your in for a treat. C'mon its a movie about the greatest city in the world, it couldn't be that bad. A possible top ten pick!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Finally! A Fun Movie with Cool Songs for Adults!
Review: Now, let's see how to describe it without giving it away, hm. I won't even go into what people who read these things look for. For parents: There is plenty of suggestive dancing as befits the time and the place,.... People get shot a few times, but they make it as nice as possible...nothing close to the goriness of "Road to Perdition". There's also a little bit of street language, but nothing a pre-teenager hasn't already heard. It has much in common with the wonderful "Moulin Rouge" in that there's a strong visual attack (I think "razzle-dazzle" is an accurate description!) and in that there's considerable artistic license with the time period (what comes to my mind: could black performers be onstage with white performers, let alone touch them the way they do here?!). So, once again historians may nitpick. Ignore them. I hate that, at 42, I'm too young to have seen the original Chicago that Bob Fosse produced, nor have I seen the theatre production. However, this may be an advantage. I don't have that "this was/was not as good as" monkey on my back, and can enjoy the movie on its face value alone. I'm also glad that I'm not familiar with either one of the lead actors (except Latifah) to be able to pre-judge them as actors and singers. Suffice it to say that I thought the dance numbers were fantastic, and regardless, anybody who can dance as well as Ms. Zellweger and Ms. Zeta-Jones in heels that high has my respect. Look out for one number very reminiscent of Elvis' Jailhouse Rock. The supporting cast is equally top-notch...you'll catch a glimpse or two of Christine Baranski, Taye Diggs, Mya, and Chita Rivera, who just received a Kennedy Center Honor. The story was great. I had a character I could care about, and surprisingly, it wasn't any of the leads. I'll bet, after seeing it yourself, you can guess which one earned my sympathy. Roxie, around whom it should be no surprise the story revolves, is a character I started out feeling a little sorry for, but she became [weaker] as the story progressed. The ending surprised me a tad, but I won't spoil that for those who haven't seen it. Aren't I nice? I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It had cool songs, great performances, I didn't cringe but a couple places in the movie, and was able to laugh a little as well. If this is any indication of what movies will be like in 2003, there may actually be something worth looking forward to on the Oscars next year! Chicago opened in Oklahoma City on January 3rd.
Rating:
Summary: ASTOUNDING!
Review: Having seen the original 1975 production 30+ times, I was rather concerned about it's transition to film.
I worried for nothing.
Forget this "best film of the year" nonsense, we're talking the best film I've seen in my 49 years.
Right from the opening notes of the "Overture," I was hooked.
It's impossible to single out a performer, or a number in this film, because it's one of two perfect films I've seen in my lifetime, the other being "Cabaret," which shares the same pedigree. Run to your nearest cineplex!
Rating:
Summary: Forget Your Troubles,C'mon Get Happy
Review: Rob Marshall's "Chicago" is a big, bold, brassy musical that once and for all blows the cobwebs off the Musical Movie genre that "Moulin Rouge" began last year.
The revelation of this film is Renee Zellweger, who can not only play the soft and pathetic side of Roxie Hart with the expected expertise but also plays the cunning and conniving side as well with conviction. And she can sing and dance also...who'd have thought?
Marshall has structured the film in such a way as to dispel many people's aversion to musicals by turning the musical numbers into dream sequences...Roxie's dreams. Frankly, though you still have people bursting into song with little or no provocation so Marshall's efforts are probably for naught. The fact is either you like Musicals or you don't or you're willing to dispel your disbelief or you're not. If the songs and the performances of said songs are good I'm right there with it, if not...I'm not. "Chicago" has good songs and great performances...enough said about that.
For me, the musical set piece of "Chicago" is Roxie/Zellweger's performance, in a breathy Marilyn Monroe way, of her signature song, "Roxie Hart." It's exemplary.
Catherine Zeta Jones plays Velma but in many ways this is a familiar style role for her: smart, sassy, sexy. Velma is not a stretch for her but she's effective, as usual.
Billy Flynn looks like a role Richard Gere has been wanting to play his whole life because he seems to be having so much fun that we in turn have loads of fun watching him sing and dance and over-act. He's a blast.
"Chicago" is an over-the-top, big Technicolor ice cream cone of a movie that is good to the very last lick. Leave your troubles at home and enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Cathrine and Richard are Amazing Performers!
Review: CHICAGO is a fantastic and energetic adaptation of a great Broadway musical to come to the silver screen in a long, long time. It has magic and electricity and is filled with extremely brilliant musical performances by Catherine Zeta-Jones (Traffic, American Sweethearts), Richard Gere (Pretty Women, An Officer And A Gentleman) and Rene Zellweger (Jerry MaGuire, Me Myself & Irene). They all have extremely well refined voices and the performances of Zeta-Jones's singing with her incredible dancing was memorizing. And, who knew Richard Gere could sing and dance? The movie stayed true to the original Broadway production originally co-written, directed and produced by Bob Fosse (Cabaret, Sweet Charity, Lenny & All That Jazz). It is faced paced and quickly edited and with some clever usage of stage scrims/screens and neon you will ever see on the big screen. It is amazing! The production design and the camera work keep you on your toes! Other standout performances include John C. Reilly (The Perfect Storm, Magnolia) as the not-so-bright husband of Rene and then the "mother of them all" as far as tough female wardens go - Queen Latifah (Sphere, The Bone Collector). They both have incredible voices and screen presences. Directed and choreographed by Rob Marshall (Annie) who also choreographed Annie, Mrs. Santa Claus and Cinderella for Disney ABC TV productions. It has a very big "showman" type feel and look to it. The story is sharp and witty and revolves around the women in prison who kill their boyfriends, lovers or husbands.. The music and energy are well worth the ticket. Don't miss this movie! (1-2-03)
Rating:
Summary: Could this be the ONE???
Review: ...From the first frames I was sucked in. Hafway through I was ready to sing along. By the end I was ready to get up and dance. There it was - the witty screenplay, the infectious music, the sequined sexiness (here I really have to applaud the genius behind the most focused and judicious use of sequins I've seen in a long time), the in-your-face energy I have craved for years. When was the last time you were sitting in an audience that burst out in applause after a scene? When was the last time you were still singing a piece of music from a movie the next day? When was the last time you felt sated, like you needed a cigarette after you left the theater? If you want all that, GO SEE THIS FILM. It provided the answer to my question above - would a 21st century musical fail simply because no one can sing and dance anymore? Answer: No. What's more, because the Director was smart enough to work with the weaknesses of the actors, and incorporate them, it assisted the credibility of the exercise. Catherine Zeta Jones was astonishing. Really! It's been a long time since ANYONE has projected that amount of energy onto celluloid. She's a sex bomb. Poor MD! That woman will kill him! Richard Gere has been the love of my life for as long as I can remember, and he still doesn't know it. However, he really can tapdance, plus he makes a good slimeball attorney. So talented. Sigh. Who knew? And RZ? Dazzling. Simply dazzling. She fleshed out Roxie in often surprising ways. She embodied a special kind of determined vulnerability. Her Roxie looks fragile and vulnerable, but she allows us just the right glimpses into a determined, steely interior to keep us on her side but wary. She was the least trained of the cast, but that maybe compelled her to rely more on the acting of the part than the dancing of it. All is forgiven. My only lingering question: WHY ISN"T QUEEN LATIFAH GIVEN MORE BILLING? Her Mama gave me chills.
Were there problems? Not big, unforgivable ones. If you are the kind of person given to looking for reasons to dislike or dismiss films, you might find something to pick on, but I suggest you seek professional help and get on with your life instead. My audience meter says you are wrong-headed. Overall, this could be the crash cart that gets the heart of musicals on film pumping again. I wish long life and happiness to all who made it happen.
Rating:
Summary: Sizzling and sexy musical entertainment.
Review: I have just seen one of the best movie musicals in years. "Chicago," directed by Rob Marshall and starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger and Richard Gere, will knock you out of your seats. This stylish adaptation is smart, sassy and gorgeously put together. Catherine Zeta-Jones is red hot as the murderous Velma Kelly. Velma washes the blood of her victims off her hands, and then sings and dances on stage as if killing people is all in a day's work. Zeta-Jones struts across the screen as if she owns it. She is sultry, sexy and a very talented singer and dancer. Renee Zellweger does fine work as the low class Roxie Hart, a selfish and conniving young woman who longs to be a musical star. Like Velma, Roxie lands in jail after committing murder. Richard Gere effectively plays their shyster lawyer, Billy Flynn, with roguish charm and a twinkle in his eye. Also outstanding are Queen Latifah, as an avaricious warden, and John C. Reilly, as Roxie's hapless husband. The movie takes place in the 1920's during the Jazz Age. It is the era of Prohibition, fast women, and an "anything goes" attitude. Rob Marshall has an assured touch, and he directs this material with panache. The swinging score by Kander and Ebb goes perfectly with the wonderful costumes, sets and choreography. I have not enjoyed a movie musical this much in years, and I recommend "Chicago" highly.
Rating:
Summary: SINGING AND DANCING IN CHICAGO
Review: CHICAGO is a movie adaptation of the musical by the same name. Hollywood has gambled in the last years by releasing two movie musicals (CHICAGO and MOULIN ROUGE) that will not "work" for every audience, but I can certainly say that it works for me! CHICAGO is a fun movie to watch and listen to and contains a spectacular cast. Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) is put in the Cook County Jail for murder. She eventually meets up with other women who have been charged with the same crime, most notably Vella Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) who soon becomes her nemesis. Roxie dreams of becoming a star on the stage and manages to hire the notorious Billy Flynn (Richard Gere) to be her defense attorney and to persuade the jury that she is innocent. The dialogue is witty and smart, and it was fun to watch all the signing and dancing. I am not normally a fan of musicals but I didn't mind this one at all. It is definately worth fighting the crowds to see CHICAGO this holiday season.
Rating:
Summary: good but not a classic
Review: the litmus test of a musical is whether you remember the tunes days after you've seen the movie. 'chicago' doesn't pass the test. i couldn't even recall one song one day after seeing this flic. by coincidence, i'd watched 'my fair lady' the night before, and even now, almost a week later, i can still whistle the tunes in that classic. so 'chicago' is a glitzy, energetic film and worth seeing. but it doesn't stand up against the classics.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Musical
Review: I definately enjoyed this movie. I haven't seen it on the stage so I don't have any comparison to that version but I thought this one was wonderful. The casting was wonderful and, while I had a bit of trouble seeing many of them in roles like that, I got drawn in quickly and ended up loving most of the performances. I'm probably a bit biased because I love musicals and I'm so hopeful for more to do well but I still think everything came out great. I've actually seen it twice now and I've liked it more each time. It seems to be doing quite well and hopefully that will keep up. :¬) ... The film, also distributed by Miramax, goes into wider release in January. 'We were only limited by seats. We are basically selling out everywhere,' Sands said."
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