Rating: 
Summary: One Singular Sensation
Review: If you are a true fan of movie musicals and you come to this movie not having seen the broadway show first, you will definitely love this film. From the raw energy of the opening dance sequence to the flashy dance finale, this film is full of great song & dance numbers. Granted, not all the cast members are amazing vocalists but that fact plays true to the nature of the roles they are auditioning for. Chorus gypsies are primarily judged on dancing ability, not their voices.A few new numbers were injected into the film (most likely for Oscar "best original song" consideration) but most of the songs from the Broadway show happily remain. Michael Douglas, as choreographer Zach, plays the role of the "temperamental artist" very well. And Audrey Landers (of Dallas fame) is a stand-out as Val, the girl who underwent plastic surgery to land more parts in shows. Although (sneakily) cut from a few of the more difficult dance sequences, she holds her own among some of the finest dancers in America at the time the film was made. Interesting to note - Bob Fosse & Gwen Verdon's daughter Nicole Fosse appears as Kristine, the shy, nervous dancer. Vicki Frederick gives a real depth to the role of Sheila, the oldest dancer on "the line". I find the entire cast work well together. Sadly, both Greg Burge(Richie) and Tony Fields(Al) passed away in the 90's. I highly recommend this movie to all musical fans and especially anyone in "the biz" who will surely relate to the characters' feelings at the audition.
Rating: 
Summary: I wish I could give it 0 stars
Review: Those who have not seen the stage production please understand. This film is not horrible just because it is different from the stage production. It is a travesty in its own right - unquestionably one of the worst musical films of any kind ever made. I just rented the video again recently after having seen a wonderful revival of the stage production in New Orleans, and I had forgotten just how bad this film is. First, Richard Attenborough has directed some fine films, but I can't imagine a worse choice to direct THIS - sort of like asking Michael Bennett to direct "Gandhi," I suppose. Second, never has a more unappealing, more clueless, and less musical cast ever been assembled. Then, as others have said in their reviews, several songs and important pieces of dialog are cut or rendered unrecognizable, and weak replacements are added. Perhaps someday someone will have the guts and the money to remake this film properly. In the meantime, if you've never seen "A Chorus Line," don't bother with this mess. I would recommend you buy the newly remastered Original Cast CD with it's extended liner notes, and wait for a moderately competent stage production to come to your town sometime soon.
Rating: 
Summary: Sorry but I thought this was a TERRIFIC movie---
Review: I thought this movie was terrific. I have it on VHS but am now going to pre-order it on DVD. I am not one of the fortunate ones that was able to see the original Broadway version, so I have nothing to compare it to.
Maybe it's a little like reading a book then being disappointed at the movie they've made from it. Or maybe it's just that I like musical's that much! So for you out there like myself...enjoy this movie it was a real treat.
Rating: 
Summary: Some decent moments, but...
Review: If you genuinely enjoyed the original show and the real meaning behind the story, do NOT buy or rent this movie. The choreography was decent at times, and of course the score is great, but the meaning of what I consider the centerpiece number of the show, "What I Did for Love", is totally changed to a love song. This is NOT meant to be a "love song" in the traditional sense, but a song about the love of theatre and dance. And the romance between Cassie and Zach is not suppose to be the focal point of the show. They would have been far better off to have simply video taped the show on stage!
Rating:
Summary: A Travesty
Review: "A Chorus Line" is probably the worst Broadway-to-film adaptation ever, ripping out the heart and soul of the stage version and making it into a Michael Douglas Movie. For the most glaring example, try Paul's monologue, which shifts the intensity away from the subject at hand and emphasizes Douglas as a Sensitive Guy when he should be totally forgotten. The only redeemable movie-ized bit is the opening sequence, in which the shots of long lines of auditioners is kind of fun. The new songs add nothing. Someone should record a competent stage version of this show to capture more of the experience (but not all; it's impossible for film to replicate the intimacy of a live performance in a theater), as the original cast recording is brilliant but incomplete. Until then, the worst thing about this movie is that many unsuspecting souls will see it and believe that they've seen "A Chorus Line." I usually believe that any kind of documentation is better than none, but I'll gladly make an exception here.
Rating:
Summary: Total Garbage!
Review: As a Former cast memeber of the Frist National Company of A Chorus Line, I can truly say that this is Absolute trash. Horrible choreography, direction, casting! Go see a touring production of the real thing.
Rating:
Summary: The movie that killed the movie musical
Review: This was one of the last movie musicals, until recently, for good reason. It's terrible. The genre was on it's last leg, and this movie put the final nail in the coffin. After "A Chorus Line" the movie, the only musicals you saw on screen were made for television. The soundtrack replaced the musical. But this was the first musical I ever saw and it did introduce me musicals, so I have to give it credit for that. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to look back on it today and reflect on how terrible the movie is compared to the countless other movie and theatrical musicals I've seen. The music is wonderful but that had nothing to do with the filmmakers, so they can't get credit for that. Since the music is so great I would suggest you buy the original cast recording from Broadway, and wait until it comes to your city. If you feel the need see the movie, rent it, don't buy it.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT MOVIE
Review: Although I am a very serious person. This movies is not and should not be like the broadway show- however it is a very good story about performance artist and their lives. It is about accepting themselves before they take the extra walk of becoming a star. I think you will enjoy it. And forget whatever else is saying. The music is great, the dancing is wonderful, and the plot is good. This is a movie- and done very well.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Musical Destroyed by Hollywood
Review: A Chorus Line is one of my all-time favorite musicals. The trash job done on this movie version is criminal. From the casting of Michael Douglas as the director to the expansion of the storyline to cutting some of the best production numbers. Richard Attenborough tried and failed to make this movie more than what it ever could be. The expansion of the storyline is to me a collosal waste of time, it's about the audtion. Produstion numbers should have been lengthened not shortened and then the new numbers would have been ok. The only bright spot in this entire movie Allyson Reed in the role of Cassie. Since this is the only opportunity for most folks to see a least a pseudo-version of the musical, it's not really an option not to see it at least once. The music and production numbers work, and even though there is nothing like live theatre the score is great and I love a good production number.
Rating:
Summary: Poorly done
Review: One of the most spectacular shows in Broadway history makes a total bomb as a movie. Part of it is that this musical wasn't really meant for the movie, but part of it is band directing and bad acting. There is too much focus on Michael Douglas as Zach (in the original show Zach is heard speaking from a microphone, usually from the theatre's sound booth, and is only seen a few times) which takes the glory away from the dancers. Among the dancers, the focus is further taken away from the group as a whole and the spotlight thrown on Cassie, especially when she sings "What I did for love", a song more meaningfully done by Diana on stage. In addition, the omission of the songs "The Music and the Mirror" and "Montage" are incredibly disappointing, most especially since the songs they are replaced with are just horrible. Do not buy this video, wait until a local theater does it.
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