Rating: 
Summary: WOOF!
Review: I remember seeing this on T.V. a couple years ago. It starts off okay, but later goes downhill with a Shakesphere tragedy plot [copy]! The characters were soooo annoying, the acting was bad, the songs are discouraging, and the dialogue is a bit weak at times. GEEZ, and I thought that a remake of "Annie" was bad! This is even WORSE! I like some musicals, but this wasn't that good. Do yourself a favor and skip this. See "South Park: BIGGER, LONGER & UNCUT" instead!
Rating:
Summary: Not Even Worth "Fo Dalla", A" Bloody" Dissapointment
Review: I so wanted to love this television production. I have been a huge fan of Rodgers and Hammerstein since I can remember, and even worked for the R$H Organization in the early 90s. I think SOUTH PACIFIC as written by Oscar Hammerstein, Richard Rodgers and Joshua Logan is in the top ten materpieces ever written for the Musical Theatre. It is not only one of the most romatic shows ever written, but one of the most dareing of it's time, dealing with racial prejudice right after the second war. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1950.
The original script is brilliantly crafted, experimenting with (as Rodgers and Hammerstein always did) Musical Theatre Structure. The opening scene is a perfect example. In the first 15 minutes of the show we hear "Dites Moi", 'Cockeyed Optomist", "Twin Silioques" and, of course, "Some Enchanted Evening", almost directly sequed from one to the other. We are taken in immediately on this romatic journey. This is what is missing in this television disaster.
The songs and book, which R&H so materfully crafted, have been surgically removed from each other. The book which won the pulitzer prize has been broken at the bindings with songs shoved in like a 1940s MGM Musical. The romantic lyric "Some Enchanted Evening, You May See A Stranger, You May See A Stranger Across A Crowded Room, And Somehow You Know, You Know Even Then, That Some where You'll See Her Again and Again" is refering to an Officer's Club Dance where Nellie and Emile meet. The song says it all, yet in this version we see the Officer's Club Dance..and it is war=torn, dark and dingy. How wonderful to have left it to our imagination! Why do you think the song was such a hit!
I did like Harry C, but again the dismantled book got in my way. If you want to see SOUTH PACIFIC, rent the 1958 movie (which R&H produced themselves so Hollywood couldn't "tinker" with their materpiece) or attend a local theatre production. I would prefer an amatur Mary Martin "want to be" with the glorious script to this production that ignores any resembelnce of the Pulizer Prize winning original.
This is not SOUTH PACIFIC as it deserves to be produced. I am saddened by the fact the Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization gave their blessings. Where's the integrety that forced R&H to produce their own films??? Shame on you!
Rating: 
Summary: South Pacific
Review: I think Ms. Close succeeded in her remake of South Pacific.The idea that Ms. Close was not a 20 year old woman falling in love with a 50 year old man made the movie more believable. While I really liked the music, it was just like the original - everyone breaking out in song at some moment. I like Rade Sherbedgia as Emile. Just as in the other movies I have seen, Mr. Sherbedgia not only acts through words, but also through his facial expressions and eyes. It makes the scenes more realistic. In the additional information on the DVD, Ms. Close indicated that she had looked for a drop dead gorgeous man in his 50s. She certainly succeeded with Mr. Sherbedgia. He was not only "drop dead gorgeous", but so much more realistic as Emile finding Nellie and not wanting to lose her. If Ms. Close had any reservations about casting Mr. Sherbedgia, she should have watched "Lies and Whispers". Luther Billis was great - showing more of the scourger you would typically find in the Army or Navy. Who can find any fault with Harry Connick Jr. Gorgeous, sings and acts. If someone isn't ready to see the cast members break out in song - like any musical - they shouldn't see this movie. However, if you want to see a much better version of South Pacific, this is it.
Rating:
Summary: The Pacific Pits!
Review: If I could have given this hideous, zero-talented remake of the old musical, "South Pacific," zero stars, I would do so. It's unbelievable that this remake was even aired on TV. Harry Connick Jr. is terrific and he shines in every scene. But 56-year-old Glenn Close is like a grandmother who overstayed her welcome and when she prances around while singing "I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair", you simply have to close your eyes and groan. If possible, the worst performance was the creature who portrayed Bloody Mary. She was like some filfthy work horse they dragged in from the streets. Covered with dust and dirt, her teeth green, she sounded like a shrieking frog. Drab photography, zero production values makes you want to rush out and buy the l956 movie production that looks like "Gone With the Wind" compared to this embarassing, wretched remake.
Rating: 
Summary: Get the original
Review: If you're going to see South Pacific, do yourself a favor and get the original. Debecque in the remake was just plain awful. Some Enchanted Evening was nothing like in the original, he sang it far too soft. He did not put any heart into the part of Debecque. Glenn Close was good, but far too old for the part of Nellie (a twenty-odd year old nurse). I have to admit however, she did do well in terms of acting and singing, and she really got into the part. Another complaint was the relationship between Liat and John Cable was not good whatsoever. They never talk, Cable just gets what he wants and leaves. Their relationship is never explained clearly, Cable just goes to Bali Hai, gets what he wants from her, and leaves the island. The movie doesn't go into enough depth. Plus, "Happy Talk" was cut (very sad in my opinion.) Also, the remake kind of brushed over the important parts about racism and prejudice. It was too casual in the important issues. Added some swears and fighting and stuff too, sorry, but I just don't enjoy that in a musical. Musicals to me are supposed to be pure and fun. But I do have to give some credit, Glenn Close was good despite her being too old, and it was well filmed.
Rating:
Summary: I love this movie!
Review: In my opinion, the remake is a lot better then the older version.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrific Adaptation
Review: Infinitely better than the lackluster 1958 feature film, this version gets everything right. The material was approached with intelligence and respect and was never once "dumbed down" as happens frequently with musicals these days. How refreshing to see a musical about and for adults again. The entire cast excels, with Close as a standout. The musical numbers were fresh, but never deviated from the original intent and mood of the piece. (Note: "Happy Talk has been cut from this production. "My Girl Back Home" was filmed, but deleted from the final version. It appears as an extra on the DVD.) The direction wisely focused on the emotions of the characters, with the songs used to express them, not simply to stop and show a classic R&H song. Finally, a film version of this R&H classic worthy of repeat viewings. The DVD is fine, with a full-frame picture, a deleted musical song, and the 22-minute ABC Behind-the-Scenes special. The sound mix on the disc is excellent and brings out all the voices and musical scoring quite well. A nice treat for musical lovers.
Rating: 
Summary: Why do it?
Review: It seems like Glenn Close woke up one morning, looked in a mirror and thought she was Julie Andrews. Perhaps she should have tried Mary Poppins, since she's certainly certainly no Mitzi Gaynor.
To be fair, I think Glenn Close is a great actress and she's got quite a nice voice, but not one to improve on the performances in the great musicals of years gone by.
This production just doesn't seem to have the energy of it's much earlier predecessor. Sometimes it seems that some of the cast including Rade Sherbedgia are embarrassed about having to launch into song, when one is due. I can understand that, I would be too. I have enjoyed watching Rade in other non singing roles.
For me the original film was only marred by the frequent use of heavy yellow filters, which made the atmosphere look like it was polluted with sulphur. This new production also uses filters in places, but more tastefully.
I like the new production for it's photography, but think an opportunity was missed to update the music. The opening scene seemed to promise a musical revamp, which then failed to materialise.
If the first South Pacific had never been made, I would probably rank this one quite high, but if I had just enough money to buy one of them, then the original would get my cash.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic! A 6th Star.
Review: Not often does a remake equal or surpass an original let-alone a classic. French planter (Rade Sherbedgia), and Navy officer (Harry Connick Jr.) and Nellie was brilliantly and vibrantly played by Glenn Close Once again the Reviews done do justice to a remake. I understand Hollywood wants purity, however, they should admit when today's starts are a bit better than yesterdays.
Rating:
Summary: STOP COMPARING IT TO THE ORIGNAL!!!!!
Review: OK...this IS a remake and it will not be as good as the masterpiece that was made so many years ago. But, the 2001 version did not totally flop. It had some strong points and good music, but of course, not as good as the original cast. But you can't compair a masterpiece to this. If you look at this remake as a movie in itself, it is ok. But i do stress only OK. Not great. Just stop being so hard on it. And don't compare it!
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