Moulin Rouge (Single Disc Edition)

Rating:
Summary: Good Idea for a Fairy Tale, But a tad disappointing.
Review: I guess the build up for me was really too much to expect after everyone saying I need to see this movie. Thinking of its length I had to wait till I was in the mood to see it. So I finally get in the mood and it's not that long at all it's about two hours on the dot. The Fairy Tale is about a woman who is the star of course at the Moulin Rouge (Played by the lovely and talented Nicole Kidman), and a man from sort of the different side of the tracks played by Ewan McGregor (Who's really enjoyable and likeable). It involves a story between these characters, the man gets mistaken for a Duke, but Satine falls in love with the writer. The creator Baz Luhrmann (I think) who did Romeo and Juliet, really did an amazing job of putting this together. The plot was weak I thought, it seemed to go by really fast for me, after trying to get into it, and understanding the story plot. The ending seemed to come up too quickly where I kept saying "That's it?" I was expecting more espically with a 2 disk DVD set. I think the problem is that this would have made a much better Broadway show seeing it live and in person. It seemed like this was one of the movies that got taken off a Broadway show and crumbled at the movies. However, this was a blockbuster hit, and I really can see why and this is why I rated it a 4 and not a 3. The costumes, and the music was just stunning. The dancing was also spectacular. The music was a lot of 80's hits it seemed like from Madonna to Elton John and a hint of Nirvana. Plus some of their own music tied in as well. Nicole I think missed her calling and would have made a wonderful singer as well as an actress...I think she would be fabulous for Broadway. The voice of Ewan McGregor was spectacular as well. I didn't even really see the chemistry though between the two actors till maybe the end where everything was very dramatic. Maybe it's one where I have to watch it over again to really understand it and have a feeling for it. But it really should be seen at least once.
The DVD is really good though. I would give that an A itself. It's cover is beautiful designed. The menu for the movie is really a thrill as well beautiful graphics that fit the feeling of the movie and a 3D menu. But just basically the basics with the first disk. On the second one is really where you get your money's worth. Two Lady Marmalade Music Video's one from the MTV Awards, and the other the chart topping hit. Behind the scene's, music and much more added to this DVD.
So basically I would give the movie a C+-B+ and the DVD an A.

Rating:
Summary: pleasantly surprised
Review: first off..i hate musicals..with a few exceptions..(hedwig, rocky horror a few others) but i got to say this movie drew me in from the opening titles..absolutely gorgeous visuals..the first hour blew me away. when the whole evil duke..hidden love..she dying act towards the end began rolling it lost some steam..but i still think this was a great movie..remaking the contemporary songs was a little bit gimmicky..but hey it really did work..especially "heroes"...the sets, costumes, cinematography were all brilliant..i thought that this year lord of the rings was a shoo-in in the visuals dept at the oscars but now even though they are completely different styles moulin rouge might be just as good and might grab a few too..very simple plot but, made up for by the great performances...and a stunning look and feel. its nice to see some originality and someone with a vision..baz luhrman deftintely has that.
and the extras on the dvd are wonderful.

Rating:
Summary: Spectacular Spectacular!
Review: I was sooo ready to hate this movie: I can't stand most musicals in general (don't understand the fun of interrupting dialogue to break into mediocre song). Then I heard that Kidman and McGregor sang for their own parts and that Leguziamo was playing artist Toulouse-Lautrec...I thought, this stinks! But then I ended up renting it out of curiosity. I heard it was a kind of retelling of Dumas' Dame aux Camelias (but the courtesan goes for the pauper, not the aristocrat).
And I loved it. It's such a great movie for so many reasons. First of all, the visuals are incredible. The movie has a story book quality to it. Some of the scenes are pure metaphor (I love the shot of Paris at night- quiet and moonlit, except for the red glare and cheer coming from the wild Moulin Rouge). The use of music is very clever! Some people here mentioned they would have liked something more authentic. Now, an authentic depiction of the Moulin Rouge already exists- if you watch the extra feautures, you'll see what the scene was like. You can understand and logically make out that at those times, to be in such a place, dancing like that, glimpsing the underwear of unattached and very available ladies was a titilating experience. But you'll be watching with an air of nostalgic comprehension. We see far spicier on any sitcom nowadays. However, in this version, the music is contemporary. It has bass, it has beat- it's loud, it's wild (the looks on people's faces make you think of how right on Toulouse-Lautrec's posters were). By having this contemporary music playing, music that is dancing music, music that you would recognize at a nightclub, you are having a visceral reaction to the whole scene. Suddenly you feel why this place was so decadent, why it was so wild.
There is only one original composition in the film, but the songs you'll recognize here have all received a special treatment, and are old and new at the same time (Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friends is successfully mixed with Material Girl, for instance). It also makes you think about the power and familiarity of love songs- whether in 1900 or 2002, the desire, longing, and love are the same.
I thought Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor sang decently. Toulouse-Lautrec would have loved his trickster-like portrayal, because he was, after all, a decadent lover of the Paris cabaret, bohemian and artistic crowd.
The references to absynthe were chilling and seductive at once- like a hellish muse. And ultimately the story is about a muse who loves and is loved by an artist- whether she is hellish or divine is something you must view (and decide) for yourself...
If you can deal with your initial shock and discomfort (it is very unique, and because of its unfamiliarity, at first it feels strange)you might enjoy this clever movie.

Rating:
Summary: How do I love this movie? Let me count the ways...
Review: This movie is beautiful and breathless. The DVD edition is jam-packed with loads of info, and if you're a movie dork like me, then this makes watching the movie all the more fun. I almost cannot put into words how wonderful I think this movie is. Everything about it is spectacular. Simply lovely.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely captivating
Review: After reading some of the reviews posted here I guess it's true when they say that you'll either love or hate this movie. I'm definitely in the "love" category. I think to truly appreciate this movie you have to let go of some preconceptions you might have about musicals or period pieces. This movie plays outside of any boundaries or genres you'll try to put it into. That will definitely frustrate a lot of people who want to put it in a box and label it. I was absolutely entranced by everything in this movie. The visuals, the music, and especially the performances by Nicole and Ewan are all so full of energy and life that I couldn't help but have a stupid grin on my face through most of the movie. I think it's fairly safe to say there's not another film out there like this one. Definitely one to add to your collection.

Rating:
Summary: I guess I just don't get it.
Review: I've always appreciated films that take some risks...Memento, Being John Malkovich, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, to name a few. I am also a fan of musicals. But after listening to many glowing reviews and recommendations, I watched Moulin Rouge and was baffled.
For the first 30 minutes I was just flat out confused as to what the director was "going for." Then about 30 minutes into it, I thought it was supposed to be a satire. But after 45 minutes or so, the whole idea of this film began to wear a little thin. The whole "Hey, we've moderized some old songs and turned some modern ones into show tunes" really began to grate on my nerves. The renditions of "Like a Virgin" and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" were especially...well, stupid.
I'll give them an "A" for creativity, but avoid this one if you can.

Rating:
Summary: Umm...It was supposed to be anachronistic!
Review: The people who hate this movie seem to base their loathing on a radical hatred of anachronism. I think that saying this movie is terrible on the basis of its anachronisms is ludicrous. I think that we all need to realize that Moulin Rouge wasn't supposed to be a historically accurate movie. I found it a wonderful, stimulating, and exciting romp through a postmodern Paris. The pop music seen through a new lens really proves that in Moulin Rouge, the medium really was the message.

Rating:
Summary: I understand...
Review: I loved this movie but i can understand why people did not like it. Moulin Rouge is very different. You either love it or you hate it. If you like music, than you will love this movie. You will probably hate it if you are not to open minded, or if you do not like fanatsy movies or movies that go almost to above and beyond. I loved this movie mainly for it's music. They have a very wide range of songs from like a virign to I will always love you. Ewan Mcgregor's voice is so adorable. I was extremly ill when i saw this movie for the first time. I acctually started sleeping through it until i heard Ewan's voice for the first time . I was so sick i think that i started to cry, it is just so gorgeous. Nicloe's voice is alright, she seems to be off pitch sometime though. But, when all is said and done if this movie did not have any music it could not survive on it's own. There are two parts in the movie that are just really wierd, the poetry reading, and the like a virgin. John Legizamo preformance as Tohloouse is good, but it seems that Baz just put him in there to have another character, he's trying to hard. That downgrades the movie. The costume designs and the cinematorgaphy are well done.And the chemistary between Nicole and Ewan is faboulas.
As i am writing this review i want to change my review form 5 stars to 4, but i can't, i just love this movie too much, and i would feel guilty for a long time. I don't really know what it is about this movie me love it. It is unexplainable. And, ...

Rating:
Summary: ABSOLUTELY the best movie of the decade!!
Review: I absolutely loved the music, the costumes, the story and the cast! It couldn't have been more perfect!! I watch movies to be taken away from reality and movies like Magnolia that depress me and show the worst side of society are a waste of my time. This movie made me want to be in love again and took me to places I'd never been. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor were excellent and the way they took the look of Christian from an innocent writer to the devasted, broken-hearted man he became was incredible. It felt like you were there and could feel his pain and loss.

Rating:
Summary: The BEST DVD ever produced ...
Review: One of the best movies of all time is now on THE best DVD yet made. Most DVDs have pretty lame extra features, but this one is a cornucopia of magic and amazement. It includes the full dance scenes, including my favorite, Hindi. Many deleted scenes are provided, showing you that Moulin Rouge could have been even better, had Baz not had to cut it down to a "viewable" length (I could have watched this movie for hours on end!). It also goes in depth with respect to the music behind the movie. I love this movie, and I love this DVD! Thanks, Baz (now work on getting a better soundtrack out there!).