Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: This is one DVD/video you can't miss! Glenn Carter are GREAT! He's Jesus in this show and there's no doubt about that fact.
Jerome Pradon as Judas are fantastic and Renee Castle's Mary shines. This CD and video can't be missed! Carter and Pradon arts so fantasticly I'll have given them an Oscar if I could *G*
Must buy this CD and the video/DVD now
Rating: 
Summary: Nice to see, but they could have used more talent
Review: It's nice to have a Dolby 5.1 soundtrack, and the cinematography and visual aspects of the sets and actors is good overall, but almost all of the performers are pretty weak in either the ability or motivation to vocalize their parts well. It's worth buying if you're a JCS fan, but if you don't have a JCS DVD/tape yet I'd find a community theater playing it and go see it in person. The little group I saw in Buffalo a few years back had more singing talent than the people in this production. The older DVD isn't bad either, I'd rank it slightly above this one overall.
Rating:
Summary: Dissapointed
Review: After seeing the 70s version I had preconceived notions on the film. The actors, music and filming are all very good in this version. For me it was like reading the book "JAWS" and then seeing the movie. As a Christian, knowing the Biblical story, and anticipating the modernization of it, allowing for theatrical license - first, I prefer the original text, second I prefer the 70s version of this effort and would recommend others to them. For Webber and Rice fans I say I preferred Madonna in "Evita" and the film version of "CATS" to this particular screening of JCS.
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: I'm very passionate about theater and therefore very judgemental, but for this show I have nothing but praise. A good production should make you laugh or cry (or both) and I did a lot of crying towards the end of this one. Jerome Pradon as Judas takes a little warming to, at first he sounds a bit abrasive, but as the show goes on you realize how essential it is to his character.
Glenn Cater was great as Jesus (with an impressive range), you could really feel the emotional rollercoaster.
The sets were modern, minimal and very effective, the costuming fresh and interesting, just a wonderful production all over.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Even Worth One Star
Review: Forgive them, Lord, for they know not what they do.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: I am a huge Jesus Christ Superstar fan. I absolutely love it. I instantly fell in love with the original cast concept recording (Ian Gillan, Murray Head) and loved every minute of it. I had seen the original 70's movie and was a little disapointed. The sound quality was terrible and Ted Neeley (Jesus) had an annoying voice that he hardly ever took risks with. So when a firend told me that another one was out, naturally I was jazzed to see it. When I first saw it, I thought it was good but not great. I mean, I thought others could have pulled off the same thing better. But then I started watching it again and again and I realized how brilliant it was. It was absolutely marvelous. I mean, every single character is wonderfully placed! At first I thought that Judas had a bad voice and Zubin Varla (played Judas in 1996) would have done better. But as I listened, Varla always seemed mad in the recording. Jerome Pradon pulls off the character of Judas brilliantly. I think his acting pays off greatly as apposed to his singing. I aslo thought Glenn Carter was weak. But as I watched again and again, he is absolutely marvelous in that he captures what I think Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice wanted out of Jesus. Through Judas' eyes, Jesus was exactly what he was in this film. (for those of you who don't know it, JCS was written about the last days through JUDAS' eyes). Tony Vincent also pulls off the best portrayal of Simon I have seen along with his spectacular voice. I have introduced this film to many people all of which loved it. Anyway, I simply think it's a masterpiece.
Rating: 
Summary: Jesus Christ Superstar -- Disappointing
Review: Jesus Christ Superstar of nearly thirty years ago is one of my all time favorite movies. I am not a religious person, but yet i find the Passion Play set to music to be extremely moving. So i was looking forward to seeing this new Jesus Christ Superstar in a updated fresher style; i was disappointed.The character of Judas is a major character in the play and he should have a voice that one can easily listen to. I have to say that Judas has one of the worst voices i have ever heard, very weak and he sounds like he has a cold. I also didn't like the character of Judas, i know, i know; it's not as if Judas is one of the most beloved characters of all time. But i think it would have been better to have shown Judas as a character who had a love for Jesus but also a distrust of what the movement would bring which eventually leads to the betrayal. One sees flashes of that love, especially towards the end; but for the majority of the movie Judas just has this obnoxious smirk and he is such a trouble maker and a difficult person that i found it hard to find a reason why he would have followed Jesus in the first place. Well thank God for Jesus and Mary Magdeline, they could sing; although i found Jesus' voice not as full bodied as i think it should be. It sounded as if the sound editor muted his voice. Mary's voice is beautiful, she has the voice of an angel. I was disappointed in the way Jesus was played. He seemed to me to be very weak and very uninspiring. How could this sad frustrated little man have attracted tens of thousands of followers? In this version Jesus had no charisma, a very bad trait in a spiritual leader. The acting in this movie is stage acting which would look great if one is sitting several rows in front of the stage in a theater, but in a movie where one sees every emotion close up, it was way too much. I doubt there was much scenery left at the end of the production the way they were chewing it up. Scene per scene i liked the old version better, except for the ending. The lashing and the crucifixation scenes in this version had a powerful effect on me. The thought that Romans used to do this to people and delighted in it and viewing Jesus receiving this cruel treatment, greatly saddened me. But the last fifteen minutes of this movie can't save it, it was just disappointing.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous...worth a shot to skeptics out there
Review: Being a huge fan of musical theatre, I am very picky and like to think I have good taste. This interpretation is fabulous, in my opinion. Having read through the other customer reviews, it seems people either love it or hate it. True, there are some who fall into the "middle" category, but that was generally not the norm. Personally, I think the singing is far better - in fact, this is the best recording I've heard. Jerome's Judas has an "edgy" quality to his voice, which I like, and I think fits the character. Glenn's Jesus is wonderful as well - he plays his role with patience, and at times, with frustration (slamming the table in "Argument"). Some reviewers commented that this was a flaw - like he couldn't make up his mind if he was angry or not. I think it's wonderful, really. The whole POINT to JC Superstar is that Christ was HUMAN. As a human, he is entitled to having tantrums here and there and conflicting emotions. He also has a beautiful voice, capable of hitting all those high notes. I thought the Nazi costumes were absolutely brilliant! They are indeed very menacing. Same goes for the pharisees. True, the movie is very...raw (as ALW put it), but it's also REAL. A crucifixtion is not a trivial little thing. It's a bloody, gory mess, and if you want to be true to the facts, it should also be portrayed as such. I have seen pictures of crucifixtions, figurines, movies, etc... my entire life. After seeing them with such frequency, it really starts to desensitize you to what a crucifixtion really is. But this movie really, really, opened my eyes. It was as if I'd never seen a crucifixtion before in my life. It was *SO REAL* and really made me think about how us humans *treat* other humans. So, this movie really moved me. I think the 1973 movie was a bit dated, to say the least. This version reaches out to younger audiences (like me) who weren't born yet in the early 70's! I think this movie was a breath of fresh air, and really breathed life into the musical. It is now, without a doubt, my favorite.
Rating:
Summary: Hmm...
Review: Is it RENT? Is it JCS? Who knows. But one thing is certain, Gale Edwards has done it again, stealing another production's concept and staging but it has unfotunatly backfired on her. But despite some poor casting, costuming and staging a few cast members have pulled through in a good way, making it a mediocre version of a great show. Jerome Pradon displays the best acting skills of both his career and the video but sadly his voice is not suited to Judas, perhaps he should take over Glenn Carter's role? Renee Castle puts on a good rendition of Mary despite copying Yvonne Eilmann's flaw of over-acting. Tony Vincent as Simon is a delight to the ear, putting on a fabulous rendition of the role. His only flaw being his tatoo. ;) Fred Johansson is my favorite Pilate. His deep voice, large body and authoritive presense is awe inspiring and perfect for the part. Fredrick B. Owens makes a good Caiaphas and uses his bass appropriatly but could have perhaps sustained it. Michael Shaeffer creates perhaps the definative Annas by being scary just by being him. A delightful taste of pure talent appearing not frequently enough. The priests are superbly cast and are dark and threatening, creating wonderful atmosphere in "This Jesus Must Die". The chorus is good and backs up the above mentioned people in their talent. It really is a shame to see most of the leads drag down what could have worked well but doesn't. My verdict: Either buy this for a good chorus, but the 73 version for a better show or go and see RENT to see how this staging SHOULD be done.
Rating:
Summary: Best...JCS...ever!
Review: Allow me to summarize Jesus Christ Superstar's plot for you, roughly: John 11:1-19:41. There you go. A bit out of order, but that's the story JCS presents to you in somewhat more modern, rock tones. And then there's a bit of history that goes with the rock opera. Jesus Christ Superstar started out as a concept album based on the work of an up-and-coming British composer/lyricist team, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. It was released in 1970, a hit in the US, and not long after, JCS was produced on Broadway. In 1973, a film by Norman Jewisson was produced, with some decidedly avant-garde choices of set and scenery, and a very '70s feel to the piece. JCS kept going strong, including the Australian / New Zealand concert tour in 1992-93 (with dramatic re-envisioning of the musical elements) and the major 1996 British revival, which created a second concept album and brought stardom for Glenn Carter when he took on the role of Jesus. (The 1970 concept album, Broadway cast recording, Australian cast recording, and 1996 concept album are all great entries in a cast album collection.) In 1999, I believe, Gale Edwards revived the musical again, this time with rather minimalist staging (mostly centered around a very gothic set, with lighting as a major, major element) and starring Glenn Carter, again, as Jesus. The costuming was modern, with bizarre choices for the priests and Roman guards, as well as for the ensemble in the second act. Andrew Lloyd Webber, upon seeing this production, knew that it was the one that needed to be captured on film. So, a cast was assembled and made into one incredible movie. Glenn Carter plays Jesus, and does a dang good job of it. He has a very distinctive voice and look for the role, such that he seems Jesus-ish even without a beard. Carter's performance throughout is strong, bringing particular portions (such as "Surely you're not saying we have the resources..." in Everything's Alright) to completely new life. He is very much a great physical presence in the film, and absolutely brings the house down with his rendition of Gethsemane, and it shows in this film. French theatre star Jerome Pradon plays Judas Iscariot. His inimicable singing voice adds just the right dimension to Rice's lyrics over ALW's music time and time again. Visually, he re-defines the role of Judas--Jerome is downright frightening in a rather simple costume, including black leather jacket. He is also a spectacular visual actor, and it is wonderful to see a Jerome performance on film record. Particularly great are his Heaven on Their Minds (the first song with lyrics) and Superstar (last song with lyrics). Throughout, he is certainly not a great person, but remains slightly sympathetic to the viewer. Renee Castle is Mary Magdalene. She takes the role to its own heights, especially in I Don't Know How to Love Him, which is entirely her own song by the time she's done singing it. Mary is clearly and vividly portrayed here, and her interaction with Jesus makes IDKHtLH seem perfectly in place when she sings it. For these three performances alone, the video is a must-buy. But there's more. Fred Johanson's Pontius Pilate is a strong and downright scary rendition, and although it's not my favorite (listen to David Burt on the 1996 concept album), it comes close. Very close. There is a brutal force of character to be watched here. Rik Mayall as King Herod takes the most fun song in the show (the only fun song), and turns it into a somehow grotesque pageant, complete with lots of dancers. It is the delivery of this piece that keeps it in pace with the rest of the show. Frederick B. Owens as Caiaphas and Michael Shaeffer as Annas make for an otherworldly pair--for the bass, you've got a large, angry, shaven-headed, impossibly deep-voiced, goateed black man, with a Darth Vader look to him, and for the tenor you have a thin, pale, frighteningly hairless white man. Both make an incredible impression, especially on the definitive version of This Jesus Must Die. Tony Vincent (dubbed "The Militant Backstreet Boy") and Calvin Cornwall as Simon and Peter, respectively, bring a freshness to the roles. Particularly, Cornwall's brief Peter's Denial establishes more character than has been seen in the song in most of the other recordings. In Simon Zealotes, Vincent is downright convincing as well. These songs both establish that even the ensemble in this film is spectacular. Much of the movie--the use of about three sets for twenty-four scenes, with just lighting for the incredible variations, and the unique look of the film--must be seen to be experienced. This movie is, fundamentally, a stage production transformed into a film, and it works. There is no "staged" feeling here, and the whole thing flows remarkably smoothly considering that there are no real transitions in Jesus Christ Superstar. Many (such as the brilliant change from Judas' Death to Trial Before Pilate) are almost daring beyond imagination. In general, this movie can be appreciated by those with no, some, or extensive knowledge of the musical. It's a treat to see it performed so well, and I think that every ALW fan, every Tim Rice fan, every JCS fan, and heck, every musical fan could benefit from owning this sweet, sweet recording. And even if you're not a musical fan, you can still enjoy this film.
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