Rating: 
Summary: A worthy addition to the legacy
Review: I watched this last night on PBS (my local public TV station in Los Angeles). It was great! Glenn Carter was wonderful as Jesus: he had power, a great vocal range, and added depth and dimension to the role. The actors portraying Judas and Mary Magdalene were good as well. The staging was updated and interesting. It was like watching a bunch of punkers (the disciples) battle the fascists (the high priests & Pontius Pilate). The lighting, costumes and camerawork were well done. It was a little bizarre seeing back-up singers gyrating in leather and vinyl, but I think the director wanted to update the look of the musical, and she did! I know there are a lot of you out there that prefer the movie version or the original staging, but give this a chance. There's a lot of talent on display here. The music and lyrics are still as awesome and uplifting now as they were when they first were combined 30 years ago. Has it really been that long since Webber & Rice gave us this beautiful gift of a musical?
Rating: 
Summary: Everything's Alright!
Review: Having been forced to sit through the 1973 version of this show I was some what hesistant to purchase this musical, but my impluse buying power and a love for Lord Andrew's and Sir Tims musicals got the better of me.I am throughly pleased with this production, for once the singers can act. The nuances that Glenn and Jerome brought to Jesus and Judas were masterful. The camera work was exquisite unlike say Lord of the Dance where you lost half the story with the camera jumping from shot to shot every five seconds. I loved the song "Can we start over" with the montage of the Apostles and Mary running cojunctively with the beating. I recommend this to anyone (christian or not) who likes a good musical, believe the story or don't believe the story, if you want a wonderfully expressive passionate tragic story you will adore this and quickly make it part of your collection. I am now just waiting for the CD to be released so I can have it in my Car as well!
Rating:
Summary: SUPERSTAR IS SUPERBLY DONE
Review: This was GREAT! It's been years since I watched the original (Ahhhhh, the memories........) and I must say that this re-make was superbly done. Glenn Carter's voice as JC had great powerful vocals! Renee Castle did a fantastic job as Mary Magdaline and her voice was AWESOME! (as was Judas') I especially liked the fact that they updated the staging to fit into today's times! The leather and vinyl clothing were a GREAT touch to this production! All the costumes were FANTASTIC! The story concept, music and lyrics are the same as they were in the original but brought more up-to-date. I recommend this version to ANYONE that HAS SEEN the original, would LIKE to see the movie, or SHOULD see this movie. Even my pre-teen and teenagers enjoyed this version! FIVE STARS ALL AROUND!!
Rating:
Summary: Powerfully insightful production!
Review: I found this version of the classic story very powerful. It contains insights which passed me by in the earlier versions. The theatrical motif is one example. (i.e. the Herod show )
The dynamics of a crowd of followers seem more apparant
than ever in this movie. How did Jesus get caught up in a drama like this? How was he "made" into the martyred messianic template of human spiritual insecurity?
Why do we continue this silly drama even today? People want someone to point to and say "he did it" so they don't need to do it themselves. It's the classic skipping out on responsibility. Truth matters. The movie is full of it at so many different levels. It is powerfully insightful into the
human condition. The fact that it does not represent history so much as it represents the ongoing human spiritual quest for certainty and control serves a higher purpose in my opinion. We should learn from history rather than worship it. The historical details of Jesus will always be a murky affair but
the spiritual saga is still alive within us all.
This movie does a great justice to that saga while using the story of Jesus as the canvas upon which the saga is painted. Why do we need a leader anyway? We know what virtues are.
We know how to live rightly. We know what it means to treat others as we wish to be treated. We know the truth. Why the persistant drama? This movie at least cracks the door on
this question and lets the audience take a peek inside at
our spiritual nature.
Rating:
Summary: Loved but still mixed
Review: I have now watched this version of JCS 10 times. I've heard the music many times and recall seeing the first movie version. This updated version spoke to me much more. Not sure that it's because I'm now in my late 30's and have more insight to draw from. I love the Palm Sunday scene...kudos to Glenn Carter and the successful affect of the stage lighting to make it an inspiring segment. The joy and boundless unconditional love of Carter's Jesus is breathtaking. I really took in the concept of those characters who did the "will of God", some whole heartedly and others did it although they did so kicking and screaming. (both Pilot and Judas realize they are being drugged into a situation they don't want to be in...the persecution of an innocent man). It brings up a point that so many have missed over the centuries...the Jews, Judas, Pilot and Herrod were all carrying out God's will whether they realized it or not. There is really no one to be angry at for Christ's death. This seems so basic yet in these times where white supremists still are trying to indoctrinate others to hate (all in the name of how Christ died) it is a good message to drive home. And when Christ does die on the cross, it is very moving and brings it all to life in a way that can't help but put a lump in the throat the most callous view I DO HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH THIS PRODUCTION: I realize that they were trying to show the human side of Jesus and thus there are lots of anger and tears shown by Carter;s Jesus. I could appreciate it all except for when Pilot hands down the order for Jesus to die. Carter's Jesus kneels down and cries like a baby. It is way over the top, especially considering that he is angry or crying or both through 65% or more of the movie. Also, I could understand why his mother, Mary was not part of the movie. Afterall, the movie focus's on other characters. I found myself feeling angered though at the end when Christ was dying on the cross and he cries out..."Where is my mother?" What was Gale Edwards trying to accomplish by this? If they are going to tell the story of it all, the fact is that his mother was there when he died. I'm going to assume that it was all for a theatrical statement that he felt abandoned by his mother because she couldn't protect him from this. And last...I know that not showing the ressurrection had thematic reasons behind it. However, it was an empty experience to not see his ressurection. I think that it would have brought great closure. Jesus would finally be seen not suffering and thus it would answer the question of whether all the aganony witnessed most of the movie was worth it or not. And it would have brought resolution to what he was trying to explain to his followers of what true glory is. I'm not a bible thumper...but I am spiritual and I think although it's all thought provoking and the music is wonderful, it is lacking in some areas.
Rating:
Summary: The Definitive Superstar
Review: I have been a "Superstar" fan for over 30 years, and have seen many versions. This one should be the definitive production for posterity. It is near perfect. Musically, technically, dramatically, and theatrically, it is simply superb. As a former singer myself, I was especially impressed by the voices and particularly the diction. Technically, the sound picks up the perfect diction of the singers so that no words are missed at all. Glenn Carter as Jesus has a beautiful voice and brings out Jesus's humanity. Jerome Pradon as Judas, while maybe not perfect visually, is musically right on and exhibits Judas's agony. His voice is the best Judas I've heard. Renee Castle, although no Yvonne Elliman, brings her own persona as Mary Magdalene. Fred Johanson as Pilate is powerful and dramatic, with a gorgeous voice especially in "Pilate and Christ." Two minor imperfections in my view: in "Pilate's Dream," Johanson overacts a bit; and I would have preferred more singing and less speaking in rhythm for Rik Mayall's Herod. With those two minor exceptions, this is a magnificent production in all respects and should replace almost everyone's library of CDs and videos trying to achieve the ultimate "Superstar."
Rating: 
Summary: IF YOU ARE A FAN OF THE 1973 MOVIE
Review: The reason I got this new DVD of JCS, is that i've never seen the play performed live, and this would get me closer to it than the 1973 movie version. Well, sort of. First of all, it's not neccesarily a faithfull live performance. The work of cameras, the edition, the need of presenting it "like a movie", take a little of that notion. And second, this is just another adaptation of the live play. Not the first, nor the last.
Is it ejoyable for those who only know the '73 movie?. Well, I kinda liked it. My guess is that if you love the play, you'll like this DVD, because it's all about the songs and the play. But certainly, I cannot say that, as a whole, this DVD is better than the old movie.
The "modernized" enviroment is intended, I guess, to give the play an "updated" feeling. JCS for the new generations. But the street looks of the stage, the grafittis, the Nazi/Darth Vader-like costumes of the authorities and guards, and other elements, compromise compatibility. I mean, the message of Jesus Christ is universal, but the time and place in which events took place were unique. More than updated, the historical facts look out of place.
OK, maybe it's just a false impression. Some would argue that the '73 movie version had the same flaws, with, among other things, roman guards in jeans and construction helmets. But since the movie was filmed in locations close to the originals in place and looks, details like modern costumes were easier to overlook.
Regarding the voices, most of the singers are wonderful. I was specially impressed by Tony Vincent (Simon), Fred Johanson (Pilate) (by the way, he sounds so much like the judge in The Trial, in Pink Floyd's The Wall), and Renee Castle (Mary Magdalene). But the leads...Jerome Pradon (Judas) has a good voice, but the problem is the way he sings. Too many breaks in his singing becomes anoying. And the scene of Judas' final moments is awful. He choses to be somewhere between singing and screaming, with poor results. It's a shame, because in some parts he shows that he has a great range and powerful voice, but he just choses not to use all of this potential most of the times. And he shares another problem with Glen Carter (Jesus). They rather did the high notes of the songs with an elevated soft voice, not a powerful one. That produces changes in the key of the songs that are not pleasant. And they share another problem: sometimes, they look unconfortable in front of the camera. Check for instance the Gethsemani scene. Finally I was completely disappointed with Rik Mayall's voice (Herod).
Ok, I know I'm making an unfair judgement. After all, the singing in the '73 movie version was pre-recorded, and all the actors did was to lip-synch, and sure, they chose the better takes, so the margin of error was absent. But then again, I'm talking about things that will be noticeble by those who are "used" to that old version.
But of course, not all is bad. The handling of lights and cameras is excellent. And a couple of scenes are very powerful and impressive, not only in performance, but also in a cinematic sense: the trial before Pilate, and the crucifixtion (the problem is that they are interrupted by the "Superstar" song performance, in which Judas and dancing exotic girls are singing around Jesus carrying the cross, a scene that is somewhat shocking and was "softened" in the '73 version).
In conclusion, if you are a fan of the old movie, and want to see or get this DVD, think of it as an alternate version, but not necessarily "better".
Rating:
Summary: stark and dark
Review: Filmed at Pinewood Studios, this production has sparse sets with scaffolding that serves for nearly every scene, and has the feel of a stage performance; it has been updated to an indeterminate era, but definitely a time one wouldn't want to live in. There are Nazi-like authority figures, punky gun-toting youth, and the walls are covered in graffiti. The colors are provided by the lighting, and are usually in either a monocromatic dark blue or yellow-orange.
Inevitably, many people will compare this to the 1973 Norman Jewison film, which is a pity, as they are so vastly different. This is much more somber, and the final scenes are wrenching. Glenn Carter is astounding as Jesus, vocally exceptional in what must be a difficult part to sing, and looking like an Albrecht Durer painting. His Gethsemane ("I Only Want to Say") is superb, and worth the price of this film alone.
Jerome Pradon is also excellent as Judas, and Fred Johanson's Pilate is marvelous, though the entire cast is good, both as actors and singers.
It is interesting in this film how skillfully the evil in a character is portrayed in the song and dance numbers, by Herod (who is so well played by Rik Mayall), and Judas. One feels the exhaustion and horror of Jesus' last days palpably in this film. The drama of the scourging is a magnificent piece of staging, and powerful; it is a visual punch to the gut, and the crucifixion scene is brilliantly done and moves me to tears every time I see it.
Not an easy film to watch, but well worth the purchase, as it gets better with each viewing.
Rating: 
Summary: Melodrama Gone MAD
Review: I was somewhat disappointed when I first saw the 1973 version of JCS on video a few years back. However, after seeing the "new" JCS, I realize how great the original movie is. Everyone in Edwards's RENT-like new version suffers from extreme over-acting. I like melodrama, but this is ridiculous. The portrayal of Jesus by Glenn Carter is at times comical (how many times can we stand to see that terrible puzzled look he gives?) and at times down-right ridiculous (have you ever seen such a smug person being carried on others' shoulders?). The filming is claustrophobic - everything appears to take place in the same column-strewn courtyard. The entire show is dark and depressing - I couldn't understand who would want to follow the teachings of this totally uninspiring Jesus (if you've read the Harry Potter books, this guy should play Gilderoy Lockhart). Overall, an uninspiring adaptation that does not even have the saving grace of good singing voices (other than Tony Vincent's Simon). Ted Nealy is stellar compared to Carter's embarrassingly falsetto, thin-voiced Jesus. See the original JCS.
Rating:
Summary: Finally a JCS that is not hoaky!!!
Review: The first time I saw this musical was a few years ago at an outdoor theater on Montery, CA. It was a traditional interpretation of the show, and I absolutely loved it!!! I was so touched by story. I rented the 70s movie and was utterly disappointed in how hoaky it was. It was hard to get into it when they were setting it up at the beginning. It was just a bunch of hippies singing in the dessert I admit they had great voices, but boy did Judas overact.
This version was amazing!!! Almost all of the actors (Pilot kind of sucked)portrayed the characters perfectly. The Judas in this was my favorite. I don't know why so many people don't like his voice. It is a ROCK OPERA!!! He fit the bill to perfection.
Yes he could have sung the song all pretty like, but it would not have conveyed the emotion necessary for the role. If you pay attention, you can tell he has the ability to sing it like that, but he totally made the right decision to rock out!!!!
There was also incredible chemistry between Jesus and Judas (not the sexual kind) which is required for any JCS. I really felt the love, pain, and conflict. I highly reccommend this version!!!!
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