Rating: Summary: Bitter Disapointment Review: I rented this movie after watching Chicago because I figured that since Chicago was so good Moulin Rouge must be better. I was dreadfully wrong. Chicago had origional songs with an ok plot, but I couldn't even get through the first half hour of Moulin Rouge. The movie was too busy for my taste with too much going on all at once. I didn't care for the music and thought it was entirely out of place. Maybe if the movie had it's own music and the numbers weren't so chaotic I might have been able to enjoy it. Nicole Kidman does have a nice voice, it's just too bad it was waisted on this movie.
Rating: Summary: Bad Script, Bad Direction, Bad Acting, Bad Singing Review: Some people think that Baz Luhrmann is a genius. I'm not one of those people. "Moulin Rouge" is just one of those movies that leaves you scratching your head, wondering how the script actually made it past the first draft stage, forty minutes before the movie is actually over. Call me a tradionalist, but I believe in things like character development and plot. "Moulin Rouge" has neither; instead, it relies upon costume, exaggerated facial movements, and dancing moves to draw in the viewer. Perhaps Luhrmann thought he was being clever by inserting trendy pop songs and rock anthems into the script, but what he really was doing was insulting the intelligence of his viewers. A man singing "Like a Virgin?" The showgirls singing "Smells Like Teen Spirit?" Nicole Kidman and Ewan MacGregor shakily "singing?" Humorous to some, yes; annoyingly stupid to many others. Yes, it's not a movie to be taken seriously, but there is silly and then there is self-indulgent. When a director creates such a one-dimensional film, how can he expect the viewer to relate to any of the characters, whom are little more than caricatures of the most basic of human emotions? Someone told me that the movie is all about the "spectacle," but I enjoy the spectacle of the Cirque de Soleil more. At least it showcases people doing their jobs well, which is far more than what I can say for this Frankenstein. Do yourself a favor: skip the movie and just turn on MTV2. You'll get the real songs and music videos!
Rating: Summary: Quite possibly one of the best I've ever seen! Review: As one reviewer wrote, you either like this movie or you hate this movie - there is no in between. IF you like theatre; IF you like over-abundance; IF you like musicals; IF you like a style like Baz Luhrman (think the more recent "Romeo & Juliet") and his flare for telling a story in an inordinately colorful way, then you will love this movie. I loved everything about it. From the costumes to the story, every part of it made me smile. I laughed and I cried. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor were amazing, as was the entire cast, all using their own, undubbed voices for their songs. I loved that they used modern songs in the different areas of the movie that were sung by the cast, not just thrown in there. Those songs not being sung by the original artists really gave it the feel that I was in the theatre, not watching a movie. I truly loved this movie. If you do not like any of the "IF's" I mentioned above, then you probably won't like it. I do, however, recommend that you see it just once, because you never know. "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return."
Rating: Summary: The Greatest Love Story of All Time Review: Loosely based on William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," "Moulin Rouge" is a movie that dells deeply into the robust and exotic nature of bohemian art. With an excellent editing job and wonderful acting and singing on the part of the main lead, Ewan Mcgreggor, "Moulin Rouge" is made to bring you through all the emotions that makes a good romanctic musical possible: happiness, hilarity, fear, love, and sadness. I highly recommend this movie to anyone.
Rating: Summary: A bohemian whirlwind of music and fantasy Review: "Moulin Rouge!" is like no other film you have seen before. It begins in 1900, with a man named Christian(Ewan Mcgregor) in a dark room, sitting at his typewriter. He sits in silence, and then begins to type. He begins to write his story. He begins to write of the Moulin Rouge. The movie tells of how he came to Paris in the summer of 1899, eager to be a part of the Bohemian revolution and follow the loose guidlines of freedom, beauty, truth and above all things, love. He is quickly befriended by a friendly bunch of bohemians, lead by Toulouse Lautrec. The group convinces him to write their new play, "Spectacular, Spectacular" since their previous writer disagreed with his ideas and left. Christian is at first a little uneasy about his new job as the play's writer, but once they get him hooked on the toxic drink "absinthe", everything gets a little crazy. The bohemians bring Christian to the local, wonderous night club called, "The Moulin Rouge". It's full of bright and beautiful scenery, ground-breaking music (as I'm sure you've heard, this movie has versions of modern music, from The Beatles to Kiss to Elton John), and amazing dancers. There, he meets Satine (Nicole Kidman), the main dancer and courtesan. Although they get off to a confusing start, the two soon fall madly in love. But, all is not well in their passionate, musical world. The Duke, who is Satine's only shot of being a "real" actress instead of just a dancer, wants her only to himself. She IS, a courtesan, after all. I won't give away what happens at the end (even though you probably guessed who she really loves). I WILL, however, tell you that what makes this movie so special, is just the whole effect of it all. The songs are GREAT because even though the words are familiar, the tunes and way they're put together aren't. There are at least 10 bits of different songs all as one in the song, "Elephant Love Medley". Also, it's a fantasy movie in some ways. During Christian's version of Elton John's "Your Song", he grabs Satine's hand quite unexpectantly, pulls her out the window, and they dance on a cloud while he sings to her. This movie is fast-paced and quite a ride! One minute you're laughing at Nicole Kidman's subtle comedic performance, the next you're being dazzled at the great songs and visuals, and the next you're holding your breath as Satine begins coughing horribly, as she does many times during the movie, but nobody knows why yet (Don't worry, that wasn't a spoiler. They mention it at the very beginning of the movie). I'm afraid my review just can't capture the magic of "Moulin Rouge". It's so frantically paced (not in an annoying way) through most of it, that I usually notice something new, whether it's an image or even a piece of dialouge. You should rent this movie TODAY! It's abolutely wonderful!
Rating: Summary: TWO WORDS: Ewan McGregor Review: If you are a Star Wars fan, you know Ewan McGregor as the straight-aced "Obey Wan Kanobi," with the beard and the weird robe. THIS IS A WHOLE NEW LOOK! Man, the guy can sing, like nothing I've ever heard before. It took my breathe away. And to top it off you have some great supporting actors and actresses. In this movie you will see Nicole Kidman belting out some tunes, also. Nicole Kidman is a "courtesan" aka prostitute in a different time, different era and Ewan is a writer who wants her to star in his play "Spectacular-Spectacular." And the songs they sing are incredible, you here a whole new take on many songs you have heard before, you here "Roxanne," you know the song by The Police, but of course, you know what "Roxanne" is about. And to top it off, it is wonderfully romantic movie that shows that love shines through at all costs. If you are a romantic like me, and love movies that express themselves, and love music and a little silliness along the way, the movie is not only worth seeing, but worth buying!
Rating: Summary: Titilating theatrical display Review: There are many who have complained to me that Moulin Rouge is too flashy, too fast-paced, and too bawdy. Admittedly, it is flashy, fast-paced, and bawdy, but these are the things I love about it. It never gave me a headache, though it has several of my friends. I think one has to be truly of a Bohemian spirit to enjoy the film like the cult that loves it does. It is a musical about a bordello in Paris in which a young playwrite and the star of the bordello's night club fall in love. The story follows the typical beats of a musical, though there is a tragic ending. It is woven brilliantly together through revamped 80's and 90's music that I always hated before. It is well worth the $$$ amazon.com is selling it for, but it is not for those who like watching Bridges of Madison County. It is a wholly different kind of film (a better one!).
Rating: Summary: Sappy, Cliche-ridden, Simple...but Undeniably Delightful! Review: Because of the hype surrounding this film at the time of its release, I avoided it and everything associated with it - - hearing "Lady Marmalade" played over and over caused me to stop listening to the radio that summer. Still, I added 'Moulin Rouge' to my wish list and received it last Christmas. Not wanting to appear overly anxious, I'm not quite sure to whom, I waited a few months before I actually viewed it. I really didn't expect to like it, since I'm not a huge fan of musicals. Wow. After just a few minutes, I was charmed. I loosened up. I recognized the songs. Songs from my youth were in a musical! I knew the words! Honestly, the story is silly, it's a very straightforward, formulaic boy-meets-girl-but-they-can't-be-together-for-whatever-reason story. But Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor are so magnetic together, I found myself enamored with the whole plot-line. John Leguizamo is fantastic as Toulouse Lautrec. All the characters are over-the-top. It's like a freakshow/circus, visually exciting, but kind of weird at the same time. And if you listen carefully, you'll recognize songs or lyrics from Elton John, the Beatles, Nirvana, David Bowie...it's so much fun! I would never compare it to classic musicals, such as 'Singin' in the Rain', but Moulin Rouge' will find its place. I haven't seen 'Chicago' yet, so I can't compare, but for what it is, 'Moulin Rouge' is fun, and satisfies that occasional need for sappiness we women crave once in a while. Just to hear the line - - The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return - - it just makes your heart melt! So, if you don't want to think too much, if you don't mind stepping away from reality for a while, if you're willing to partake in a visual and aural feast, just strap yourself in to the extravaganza that is Baz Lurhmann's 'Moulin Rouge'...it really is spectacular, spectacular!
Rating: Summary: Eh... Review: I honestly don't know what all the hype was about... although I found it visually exciting, the plot line and the characters were dull and if i had to here them sing that bloody 'i love you blah blah blah' song one more time i was going to drive something into my temple. but i give it 2 stars for art direction cinematography and costumes... If your looking for a good musical go for Chicago
Rating: Summary: must see again and again Review: fabulous! I could never get tired of it!
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