Evita

Rating:
Summary: She's Argentina, and always will be
Review: ...

Though I am a virtual scholar on the life of Eva Peron, and lived in Buenos Aires for a time, even I got lost while watching this movie. There is no overall "thesis" to this movie; there is no main point to it. The music is beautiful, Madonna is beautiful, the scenery is beautiful, the cinematography is stunning, but there is no "core" to the movie and continuity is hard to find. It is never made quite clear to the viewer why Juan Peron was elected President of Argentina, what he did as President of Argentina, why the people of Argentina love Evita so much, why "Che" (Antonio Banderas) hates Evita so much, and least of all why the viewer should care either way (the viewer is never told, for example, that "Che" is the Argentine word for "dude" - but such information would be hard to work into the musical). My inclination is to believe that the only reason the audience would be interested in this movie would be that they were previously Madonna fans (which I am) and that they are fans of Andrew Lloyd Webber. If this is what draws one to the film, then they will not be disappointed in the lack of historical content. They will find this to be a very entertaining movie, as I did (once I got past the lack of clear thesis and well as lack of correct Argentine history).

A scholar of Argentine history said in regard to this movie, "I liked it as a musical and a work of fiction." I liked it along those lines as well. If you are someone who is interested in a beautiful musical, then you have found it. If you are someone also interested in the real history of Eva Peron, I would suggest the Argentine movie "Eva Peron: The True Story" starring Esther Goris which was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign film (available in amazon zShops), or either of the books mentioned at the beginning of this review.

This was Madonna's dream role, and I am glad she got it. And she did a good job in this role as it is written, and she showed some much-needed compassion for Evita in her interpretation (the original Broadway version was beyond mysogynist). However, again, the role as written, even after having been altered a bit by Madonna, has little to do with the real Eva Peron of Argentine history. It was inevitable that Madonna would do well in this role because, as Andrew Lloyd Webber said in an interview, "She basically plays herself." The simple truth may be that Eva Peron's life is far too complex to be contained in a musical (she still baffles most historians). This movie does a fine job, however, in containing Madonna's beautiful and heartfelt performance as the fictional Evita the writers have created.

Rating:
Summary: The best show adaptation to screen yet
Review: I have to say that this is the best show adaptation to screen that I have seen yet. I mean, Jesus Christ Superstar and Fiddler on the Roof and all that are okay, but this shines above them all with it's stunning visuals, wonderful cinematography, and excellent casting choices. Though some people have some reservations about Madonna playing Eva Peron, I think she did an excellent job and she really worked to pull off the role well. And who can say more about Antonio Banderas as Che? He is the perfect actor for the part, displaying his range of talent from acting to singing to dancing. Though the movie does change some things from the original play production, I believe they are for the best. All the songs are included including a new one written for the movie, "You Must Love Me". I was disapointed that this DVD doesn't have any special features what so ever, but I hope people will buy it for the movie itself instead of the special features. An excellent movie no matter what.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Movie Adaptation...
Review: ...although perhaps not as great as the original stage version. But I supposed that is not a fair statement to make as they are two completely different mediums. Actually, the original concept album was best if we want to get picky about it. As for Madonna being cast as Evita, I thought, "Of course, who else?" After all, Patty Lupone would have been too old for the part unless they cartooned away her age via CGI as another reveiwer suggested. I enjoyed this movie and Madonna did a fine job. It has been a long time since any musicals, let alone psuedo-rock operas, have been made into movies.

Rating:
Summary: Madonna's best movie
Review: This is Madonna's best movie, by far. But given the quality of some of her early work, that may not say much. I really like her music, her videos, her concert tours, but I have been rather skeptical towards her movie efforts. This one is pretty good. Really good actually. Now, this IS a musical, so they will be singing all the time. It is filled with music from beginning to end. Almost no spoken dialog. Little bit annoying in the middle of the movie, I have to admit. Though the story is not bad, and her acting is really good. This is the 'role she was born to play', the DVD case says. And I believe it. She carries herself marvelously. Her voice sounds better than ever before, some serious work have been done here. And as usual, she looks great!
So if you can just overlook the fact that this is essentially a two hour music video, a very expensive one at that, you will be pleasantly surprised. There is a genuinely interesting story here. Who would have thought we would get so involved with the wife of a dictator? The quality of the DVD is great. Appearently there is a new edition of the DVD on its way, with additional footage and director's comments as bonuses, so you may want to wait and get that one.

Rating:
Summary: Evita
Review: The first time I saw Evita, I hated it. Then, I decided to watch it once more, and I found myself consumed. Not only is a wonderful and interesting story told, but the songs and the music is wonderful. The movie is so powerful! I had chills during the "Santa Evita" scene, in which Eva is at church being serinaded as a saint, while Che is running from being beaten by the police. All the actors gave a great performance, and Alan Parker did a great job. I would most definately recommend the musical...Evita!

Rating:
Summary: Where was the playbill when I needed it most?
Review: Maybe watching an opera on a television screen is a learned experience in order to make it enjoyable. "Evita" is the first opera I've seen on the big screen, as opposed to the live version. As a young lad we were shown to read the synopsis written in the playbill handed to us as we entered the theatre. Once that was done, we would sit back and watch how actors played out the story, listening to beautiful sounds even though we didn't understand the language they were singing.

Evita Perone, the social climber of the century worked her way into the graces of the militant dictator of Argentina and then through well-planned publicity stunts into the adoring hearts of the public. This is the story of that climb from peasant status to popularity and untimely death at an extremely young age.

"Evita" was in English, with a few instances of necessary subtitles so that the English-speaking audience would understand the dialogue. Unfortunately, I hadn't the benefit of reading a synopsis of the story before watching the video, so enjoying the film was a bit of a challenge. Having known much more about Evita Perone before watching this opera would have made for a much more entertaining experience.

Rating:
Summary: great combination
Review: Excellent combination of cast, music and direction. Madonna's best movie so far. Seems natural, and acting by Jonathan Pryce and madonna makes it worth watching. Can't miss out on the voice of Antonio Benderas. If you like musicals, then this one's definitely for you.

Rating:
Summary: Evita Velveeta
Review: It sounded like a good idea. One of the century's most widely admired and successful modern operas; a reunion of the composer and lyricist to personally adapt the material for the screen; a huge budget; and the very problematic Madonna at last cast in a role seemingly made for her: the manipulative, power-hungry, blonde bombshell role of Eva Peron. How could it go wrong?

Very easily. In order to get permission to film in Argentina the producers had to remove virtually everything from the stage show that actually made it memorable--and to cover the gaps Rice and Webber added fluff. Madonna never had the opportunity to play the cut-throat Evita; she was instead given a poor little pitiful me Evita--a role that even the greatest actresses of the day would have difficulty putting across. And as for that mammoth budget... well, let's just say that the entire film has the look of an expensively made videotape.

Madonna does the best she can with it, but there aren't any fireworks in the reworked material. Both Banderas and Price seem more than a little miscast in their roles of Che and Juan Peron. And the action drags and drags drags. Extremely, extremely disappointing.

Rating:
Summary: EVITA IS MADONNA'S COMING OUT PARTY
Review: BEWARE! In order to love this movie you must be able to like....
1. World History
2. Musicals
3. Antonio Banderas
4. Madonna
Okay, so this is a TALL order. This is a beautifully set movie that was well received worldwide except in the US. I feel it's because nobody in the US would take Madonna seriously as an actress, let alone as a serious actress. OPEN YOUR MINDS PEOPLE because Madonna can act. In my opinion, she gave one of the most inspired acting jobs on the screen ever! This movie goes down as one of my alltime favorites.

Rating:
Summary: If they dubbed Madonna, it would be improved
Review: Plays, books, and movies are always adapted to fit the media. Many times this can be an advantage. Modifying the story is a producer's privilege. The photograph was superb. And the period consumes gave a feel of authenticity. However when Madonna usurped "Another Suitcase In Another Hall" this contributed to the loss of the consistency of the story. The addition of the Navel Cadets' revolt was a good touch. However, the essence of the movie is the singing. Madonna is the only person that has no range, and cannot even talk throughout a song. If only they dubbed her, the movie would be worth viewing.