Rating: 
Summary: Have Not Seen It Yet
Review: Listen carefully to me, I am probably the only person in history who has the guts to review this movie without seeing it. I do not expect anyone to take this review seriously but I would like to say one thing. From viewing the trailer I do not expect, going in, to see anything that would resemble the actual show Alegria. If you are a true Cirque fan you would understand, as I found out directly from an email I received from one of the people involved with the shows, that expecting to see the show Alegria on video is naive and unrealistic. I was told that as long as the show is performed anywhere it will never, ever be released on video. Appreciate this movie for what it is, a representation of the personal aspects behind the performance and its mysteriously magical characteristics. Do me a favor don't compare the movie to the actual show.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing in it's presentation
Review: First, my disclaiming caveat: I love Cirque Du Soleil; Alegria was the first one that I had seen live, so I had high hopes for this video. I knew going in that this was a movie in it's own right, not a filming of a performance. As a film, I didn't much care for it. The story took it's time in developing and then moved slowly once it did. There were some circus performances, but just enough to get annoyed at them. It made you want to watch the performances, not the intercuts to the dialogue/'action'. I can understand the desire to show off the performers and their rather impressive talents, but the acrobatics so overshadowed the plot/dialogue/acting that they could only suffer by comparison. Other notes: The set design and costumes were sumptuous, up to the usual CDS standards.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretentious and boring!
Review: I am a big fan of Cirque du Soleil, and I was VERY disappointed in this DVD. Don't buy it if you expect to see the wondrous acts and physical feats the Cirque folks are famous for. This is a genuine attempt at narrative and it fails miserably. As a movie it's painful to watch and pretentious as hell. And the few actual Cirque routines that are included are less than stellar. You want Cirque? Buy Quidam.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: I'm a big Cirque fan so I just knew I would love it, guesswhat...I did! I'm not going to say it is the best movie ever, but ifyou love Cirque du Soleil, you gotta see this movie. Its not like the Quidam movie where it only shows the actual show. Alegria, the movie, is a movie. I was breathless the entire moving watching the wonders of Cirque du Soleil. If you're reading this, that means that you probably like Cirque or know someone who does. I would recommend this movie to any Cirque fan!
Rating: 
Summary: Surprised it was a movie
Review: Cirque du Soleil's Alegria is not a video of the show Alegria but is a love story that has small bits and pieces of the show Alegria and it's characters thoughout. There are three or four times when mild profanity is used. There is implied mistreatement of young children which could also be upsetting to small kids viewing it. I enjoyed the movie, but it was not what I hoped it would be - Alegria (the show) I'd seen in Atlanta and at Beau Rivage.
Rating:
Summary: forget movie,but has impressive extras
Review: I only paid 8 bucks for this dvd,so i didn't ask much.The movie really [inhales],but the extended performance footage of "Hoops" and especially "Cube Act" were knockouts.They save this dvd from being a library donation.
Rating: 
Summary: Long on eye candy, short on plot
Review: "Alegria", inspired by (but not the same as) the Cirque the Soleil show of the same name, is an attractive but unfortunately cliched story of love and hope. A young boy, Momo, who is forced into virtual slavery with other super-cute multi-national children, befriends a down-and-out street performer named Frank. Frank falls in love with Julietta, the star of the "Alegria" show that happens to be playing nearby. Frank and Julietta's romance causes some upheaval in the Cirque ranks, but in the end the two free the children from bondage, re-unite Cirque, and everyone lives happily ever after. "Alegria" the movie has the same beautiful visual style and air of romance found in Cirque shows. However, as a movie it fails in many ways. The plot is every bit as simple and obvious as described above. Likely the creators of the movie wanted to tell a timeless fable, but their execution is so heavy-handed and saccharine (especially in regards to those too-cute children) that it's difficult to take the movie seriously. Perhaps children and those who adore anything with cute kids will like it, but I feel most discerning viewers will find it as disappointing as I did. If you absolutely love Cirque or super-cute kids, you may consider getting this DVD anyways. It's nice to see scenes from the "Alegria" Cirque show (my favorite Cirque), the movie isn't so bad that it's painful, and the DVD does have some nice extra features. Note to one reviewer below -- I did review it as a movie and not as Cirque, so please withhold rating a movie until after you've seen it.
Rating:
Summary: Thrilling
Review: I was at a friend's home and she had on a movie channel or I would never have known about this movie. But I heard the music and saw some of the acting and I said "What is this?" and went out and bought the video. What a fabulous, imaginative, exhiliarating film. Unique and full of emotion. Not ordinary by any means, and not what you'd expect. Cirque du' Soleil is incredible, the music is incredible, and the story fascinating. If you are bored with Hollywood movies, be sure to find this. Also, don't buy the soundtrack, get the CD "Alegria". Both are good but the original version (without the girl's picture) is the best. I've made all my friends watch it, too.
Rating:
Summary: A film for all ages
Review: Rarely does a film get made that offers a story that appeals to all ages. We have owned this film for years, shown it to friends and family, and it always gets rave reviews. As for the simple minded who want "family" films white washed, silly, often violent, and worst of all boring- this film isn't for you. Remember- the Brothers Grimm in the ORIGINAL forms are entertaining and have enough symbolic truth that they appeal for all time. White washed, they view like white bread and are as memorable.
This film is an amazing, multinational group effort. The story is wonderful, redeeming, and the characters enchanting. Worth three times the price. My only regret is that the DVD is missing a documentary the VHS had on it. Still a great buy.
Rating:
Summary: Life is a Circus
Review: This film is comprised of both dark shadows and bright joyous light. It is a celebration of love and life. The central plot is a classic love story between a melancholy street mime (played with grand pathos by the supremely gifted pantomime artist Ren? Bazinet) and a glamorous circus singer, Julie Cox. The subplot deals with a Dickensian villain and unwanted children sold into slavery. The well honed performances by Cirque du Soleil entertainers add astonishing exhilaration to the proceedings and hauntingly arresting musical passages provide a spellbinding ambiance. The wondrous world of the circus is used as a metaphor for our lives on this harsh but beautiful plane of existence. I believe the producers of this lovely little motion picture would have benefited greatly by having named it "Life is a Circus" or given it some similar English title. It would then, most likely, have gotten far more attention and probably would have reached cult status, or become a family favorite, on the order of "The Wizard of Oz."
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