Rating: 
Summary: Rightfully praised, but not "All That Jazz"
Review: Musicals have been undergoing a resurgence and when "Chicago" hit the big screen, critics and musical fans alike went gaga. Well the fanfare's died down a bit and it's time to take a look at the good and bad about the cinematic version of "Chicago".First of all, after having seen the DVD's deleted scene I am more convinced than ever that the exclusion of the Zeta-Jones/Latifah duet "Class" was a glaring mistake. This highly sarcastic and visceral song was for me the highlight of the Broadway musical and to have taken it out took out some of my joy upon viewing. I equate this to making an ironic omelet and leaving out the satire. Great job by Catherine Zeta-Jones, Queen Latifah, Richard Gere and Renee Zellweger. It is a great movie - but as far as greatest musicals of all time, come on. Busby Berkeley is, has been and will always be the cappo di tutto cappos of musicals.
Rating: 
Summary: Take 'Chicago' for what it is...
Review: A musical satire that pokes fun at and even exposes our need for celebrity and the lengths some people will go to to achieve it. Are the characters likable? Despite myself I found I was drawn to them like a moth to flame. Could I see myself having dinner with Velma Kelly, Roxie Hart, Mama Morton or Billy Flynn? Absolutely not. I'd be afraid they would stab me in the back, but Rob Marshall creates a musical full of bright colors, great turns from the actors "in both worlds," and provides a mirror into our celebrity obessesed culture that should hopefully have us thinking long after Velma and Roxie take their final bow. Catherine Zeta-Jones is fiery, funny and wonderful as Velma. I found myself waiting until she was back on screen. 'All That Jazz,' 'Cell Block Tango,' and 'I Can't Do It Alone' showcase her dancing legs and singing chops. Queen Latifah's 'When Your Good To Mama' was another highlight for me. Get the DVD to view the great song 'Class' with CZJ and QL. Its worth the price. Viva les musicials!
Rating: 
Summary: An Above Average Musical-Made-Movie
Review: I really don't understand all the hype and praise surrounding this movie. It is nothing new-- "Chicago" has been around in some form or another for 70 years or so. It is pretty much like every other musical I've seen, maybe a little better than average-- Entertaining, but not something that you will look back on for years to come. Even a movie like Forrest Gump, an imperfect movie that somehow won the Oscar, is more of a classic. Rent, don't buy, with low expectations, and you might be entertained. Just don't get sucked in by "all that jazz."
Rating:
Summary: CYNICAL TAKE ON KILLER CELEBRITIES
Review: Based loosely on real events of the 1920s, the plot of CHICAGO (Miramax) has seen several previous incarnations. This Oscar© winning musical, a caustic, cynical comment on how we celebrate people who do bad things, mirrors today's headlines. It's murder, greed, debauchery -- everything we hold dear to our hearts.
Rating:
Summary: You'll Want to Watch It Again and Again...
Review: I saw this movie in the theatre three times and since I received the DVD last week, I've watched that three times. This movie is genuine entertainment; you won't want to blink in case you miss something. "Chicago" is funny, sassy, colorful, and features some of the most talented people in movies today. I've heard some say they haven't seen this movie because they "don't like musicals!" If you have the same excuse for not seeing Chicago, it's your loss. Excuse me, I have to go now and watch the DVD again!!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent film, Excellent Extras.
Review: What a fine film, truly deserving of all its accolades.
Rating: 
Summary: Girl-meets-girl prison movie
Review: Women behind bars wear kinky outfits and dance with each other. Male cast members have minor roles as schmucks and heels, get dumped. In the end, two women get together and live happily ever after. Make sure this is your cup of tea before you buy this movie.
Rating:
Summary: A reaction
Review: Let me take a moment to comment on the review written by Daniel Wahl below. This movie, as you claim, should be about heroes raising champagne glasses in triumph over evil. However, this is not that kind of movie. This movie is about Chicago in the 20's and 30's...and lives full of crime and hardship. I myself am a professional classical musician and believe these songs are (for one) SUNG better than the airy, whiney attempts of Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge. The songs are better orchestrated and capture the feelings of the time when women were finding their sexuality and freedom and hot jazz was ruling the nightclubs. Yes, Moulin Rouge was dazzling, but that's the kind of movie it was. That's Baz Luhrman. This is totally different. Chicago was not a glitzy, "raise your champagne glass" city and neither is this movie. It's about the desparation of the citizens of Chicago and the pain they felt from the media, politicians, and judicial system. It was a tough time and if you want to see a glimpse of this in an enjoyable movie that is well acted, well sung and well directed, then watch this movie. And if you hate it, at least it will give you something to talk about and THINK about like it did for this reviewer below. Thanks for reading.
Rating:
Summary: Jazzy, Sexy Screen Version of the Broadway Musical
Review: I must admit, I was skeptical about seeing this movie, having seen the play on Broadway and really loved it. Screen adaptations of plays are often a dicey proposition, much like the screen adaptation of a favorite book, the formats don't always jive and important details are often dropped...in the force-fitting process. This is not the case with Chicago. Not only is this a faithful adaptation of the story, it's a faithful adaptation of the music, the dance and the characters all the way through. The performances are brilliant and the essence of the beloved play is maintained amazingly well. A must see!
Rating:
Summary: Enjoy it for what it is!!
Review: All this talk about comparing Chicago to this and that musical is giving me a headache. The fact of the matter is, I thouroughly enjoyed this movie. It had a cynical, almost sarcastic look at the American justice system, which I think rings close to home especially after the O.J. Simpson trial. It also showed how fickle the American public can be concerning celebrities...one moment they are hot, then a second later, the public can turn against you. If anything, this movie gives a somewhat exaggerated, but nonetheless accurate view of America. While some people may feel this is overglorifying people who get away with murder, the reality is that's what happens sometimes. As far as which movie "Moulin Rouge" and "Chicago" was "better"...I don't think you can really compare the two. Each had its' own special moments...and each person will enjoy it in different ways. For me, however, I say buy them both (but I'm going to buy "Chicago" first).
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