Rating: Summary: ONE SINGULAR SENSATION Review: Richard Attenborough's film A CHORUS LINE is excellent. The casting is impeccable. Brilliant performances are turned out by Michael (Mark) Blevins, Nicole (Kristine) Fosse, Audrey (Val) Landers, Gregg (Ritchie) Burge, and Justin (Greg) Ross and Michael (Zach) Douglas. Although, this film version strays from slightly from the original stage version - it's not to be missed. One of the best "dancing" films of the dacade. I imagine 20 years from now this will be a big "sleeper" hit - like "The Wizard of Oz" it will go down in history as a great movie musical in an era when movie musicals were "dead" - A CHORUS LINE, the movie is alive and kicking! Check it out!
Rating: Summary: Embarrasments abound Review: One of the cheesiest musicals I have ever seen. A bunch of untalented unknown actors play dancers competing in an important audition. The songs are abysmal and many moments are groan-worthy. You will find yourself laughing at scenes that are unintentionally funny.
Rating: Summary: What was Richard Attenborough thinking????? Review: I saw this film in it's original theatrical run back in 1985, BEFORE seeing the stage production. For the most part, I found it enjoyable (at the time), but wondered what the fuss over the show was all about. About a year later, I had the opportunity to see the REAL version, on stage. There simply is NO comparison between the two; this film is a TERRIBLE attempt to capture the magic of the original show. The only reason I chose to give it two stars instead of one, is because of the performances of the cast. For the most part, they are quite good, but even they cannot save the mess that the director, Richard Attenborough, allowed this film to become. In the original show, "What I Did For Love", aguably the musical's most touching moment, was performed by the entire cast. It is a tribute to every performer's love for their craft as they answer a question posed by the "director" in the show's plot, ("What do you do when you can no longer dance?") and anyone who has ever set foot on a stage cannot help but be moved by that scene. So what in the WORLD was Richard Attenborough thinking when the high moment, and heart, of the show is reduced to nothing more than a half-baked love song sung by the character of "Cassie", to the director, "Zach"? Totally disgraceful. It changed the entire focus of the film! And since several other reviewers have mentioned this, I, too, would like to complain about the cutting of some of the original score in favor of schlock like "Surprise, Surprise", and "Let Me Dance for You"! For pete's sake, "The Music and the Mirror" was the show-stopper in the stage version! Again, Richard Attenborough, what WERE you thinking??? Also, much of the choreography was "80-ized", making it look like a "Flashdance" clone......(no small wonder, Jeffery Hornaday was responsible, the same guy who worked on Flashdance......). Only the finale of "One" comes close to the exuberance of the original, but even that one is pushing it. If you have the chance to see this on stage, take it, and see the film ONLY as a last resort.
Rating: Summary: good grief Review: A Chorus Line is a truly great show, when performed onstage keeping true to the original *ahem* SONGS, but the movie kind of failed in the attempt to re-create the magic. I mean, "Music and The Mirror" is a perfect example. Did they think it was too subtle for the movie-watching American public? Did it really have to be replaced with something as blunt as "Let Me Dance For You"? Puh-leaze. And they cut out the entire montage, which really helps in exploring the character's personalities, etc. Why did Cassie seem like such an...annoyance? She did interrupt "I Can Do That". She did harass him into giving her a role. She didn't seem graceful, like in the stage version. (ie, falling while getting into the taxi) I really liked the Sheila, and I loved Terrance Mann. I also found the drag show monologue very well done. It's good, but not even close to the singular sensation it was onstage.
Rating: Summary: At The Ballet! Review: I had the pleasure of seeing the Broadway version of Chorus Line many years ago. While this video can't possibly compare to the live stage performance, it does do the story justice. I have rented this movie many times and each time I enjoy it more. The singing and dancing remind me of my 12 years of dance lessons. Anyone can relate to at least one of the characters. From the non-chalant Sheila to the shy little teenager. It is a movie that will remain in your head and you will find yourself singing the songs. If you enjoy singing, dancing, achievement, etc. you will enjoy this movie ten fold.
Rating: Summary: A confusing mixture Review: While the movie is certainly inferior to its parent, the broadway version, it is not without some good parts. For instance, "At the Ballet", "Nothing", and, of course, the dancing. I have heard others say that the dancing here was mediocre. I disagree.Now, there were some problems, among the most obvious the moving of "What I Did For Love", a beautiful song telling the reason why they're all doing this moved to that godawful and unneeded subplot about Cassie and Zach. That leads to another big problem--all those cutaways from good numbers, like "I Can Do That", to see Cassie having those tedious flashbacks that we really don't need. The filming could use some work too. Despite these flaws which will be more apparent only to those who have been privileged to see this on stage, the movie still manages to pull off the musical's original theme. If it had failed in that, it would definately not be worth seeing. As it is, you may as well see it. Top performance given by Shelia, Morales, Cassie (sometimes), and Larry.
Rating: Summary: Suprise! Suprise! Review: A Chorus Line has always been a favorite movie of mine because it has great music and exciting dancing. It can also be quite funny. Michael Douglas does a fabulous job as well as many of the other cast members. This movie is very fun but should not be watched with a serious mindset.
Rating: Summary: I watch it over and over again. A classic! Review: A chorus line is a wonderful movie. I love to dance and sing and this movie is perfect for someone like me. It's a very entertaining movie that you can watch over and over again and not get bored. It's wonderful!
Rating: Summary: STEER CLEAR Review: As brilliantly tart, moving and original as A CHORUS LINE was on stage, this movie is beyond dreadful. Somehow managing to find perhaps the most unappealing cast of dancer/singers ever assembled, and spot-lighting a silly, flashback-filled romance between Michael Douglas and Alison Fraser (Cassie), Attenborough has no understanding at all of what makes this strictly backstage-buzz musical tick. There are moments that border on camp, but don't go there all the way, so this movie is not even worth laughing at -- it is simply a bad movie. The musical numbers, given an 80s pumped up arrangement and dated MTV-style look, are diluted of virtually everything that made them sizzle on the stage. Michael Bennett was the heart and soul of the only Chorus Line worth its salt -- his staging of the classic Bway version in 1975, which of course has been remounted countless times across the country since then. Do yourself a favor and catch it on its real feet -- you will be moved, uplifted and bedazzled.
Rating: Summary: Excellent! Michael Blevins as 'Mark' is stand-out. Review: I could write a 1,000 words but you only need two . . . . Michael Blevins! He lights up the screen. Mr. Blevins also appeared in, CHAPLIN with Robert Downey, Jr. Once again delivering a beguiling performance. Where is the talented Michael Blevins when the film industry needs him now?
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