Les Miserables

Rating:
Summary: A good movie, but a terrible adaptation!
Review: Well, I am an ardent fan of Les Miserables. I love the book and the musical. I was prepared for it to be different, but it was horrible! I've seen it twice- once I rented it, and once in English class. They left out two of the best characters (Eponine and Enjolras). They also left out all the Amis! The only characters that weren't warped at all were Javert, the bishop and Fantine. Cosette was just a snivelling crybaby. There was no mention of the Thénardiers after Montfermeil. Gavroche looked too young, so it sounded weird to hear about his "babies". The third act was totally stupid. Marius is too much of a lovesick moron to lead a revolution. And there wasn't even a proper ending! Can't a misaholic get at least a little bit of sympathy? The movie made Victor Hugo spin in his grave, and the Mizzies spin in fictional character land.

Rating:
Summary: great
Review: I have not read the book and I can't stand musicals, but I watched this movie on AMC, I think, and was simply astounded. This was a very well directed movie with great acting and a top notch sense of story line.

Rating:
Summary: I loved it!
Review: I haven't read Victor Hugo's novel, nor have I seen the musical interpretation, but I love this film. Wonderful story. Superb acting. It's worth every penny - buy it.

Rating:
Summary: Where's Eponine?
Review: I absolutely love the musical version of Les Miserables not to mention the book so I thought I would give the movie a view. Now, I will admit that I am standing at a totally biased point of view because I am an avid musical fan and in so, I had some expectations for this cinematic drama. It is wrong on my part to assume so much in the film but I can't help but be disappointed. I thought the movie took away some of the best characters and story lines. I also thought that the progress of the movie was rather awkward. It was a nice attempt to smoothly blend Jean Valjean's conscience and get-away from Javert and Cosette & Marius but it ended up being rushed and confusing. But with that aside, I think on some levels the movie does the book justice as the casting is quite good. If you like Les Mis, be it the musical and/or the book, then this movie is a decent way to kill some time. Disappointment may ensue but it won't traumatize you.

Rating:
Summary: An Answer to A Prayer, an "Eponineless" Les Miserables
Review: This is beautiful, not the musical, but still beautiful. Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Rush are very well cast in their roles as Valjean and Javert. Uma Thurman makes a heart wrenching Fantine and Claire Danes is a beautiful Cosette. And best of all, there is no rival for Marius' affection in this movie, no Eponine stealing the scenes singing "On My Own." This movie makes it on its own without songs or Eponine.

Rating:
Summary: good movie... BAD Les Miserables movie
Review: There are a couple of good things about this movie, like the acting and a bit of the first half. There are so many bad things, I could write an essay longer than Victor Hugo's novel pointing them out. Alone, ignoring the novel, musical, and anything remotely related to Les Miserables, this movie is pretty good. Apply the title "Les Miserables" to this movie and it becomes EVIL. The storyline is that of Les Miserables, but it is loosely strung together and falling apart. The second half of the movie is a bunch of made-up stuff that completely kills any good that there was in the first half. You may think I'm just some Les Miserables fanatic who needs everything to be exactly like it was in the novel... that's not neccessarily true. I am a fanatic, yes, but I realize that "made-up stuff" does have the potential to make a very good movie. This was made clear in the recent Lord of the Rings movies. It was also very clear in the musical play of Les Miserables. "Made-up stuff" can be very good, IF it keeps with the theme and "feel" of the book. However, the made-up stuff in this Les Miserables movie is terrible! Horrific! BAD. The theme, the point, the attidude, and the emotional impact of Les Miserables is completely and totally lost in this movie. The characters, though many have the same names as characters in the novel and musical, are not by a long shot those created by Victor Hugo. They are aliens who share the same name. Some characters, like Eponine, Thenardier, and Enjolras are not condemned to the same fate as Jean Valjean, Javert, Cosette, and Marius. They are not completely mutated until they are unrecognizable and they are not totally ruined. Of course, that is probably because they are NOT EVEN IN THE FILM. For a general movie, its quite good. For a Les Miserables movie, it is shameful. It completely misses the point. Hugo would turn over in his grave. Rent it, record it on TV, but I wouldn't recommend actually buying it.

Rating:
Summary: Not Worth Viewing
Review: I very much wanted to see this movie when it first came out and so I did, but was very disapointed.After watching the Dream Cast musical on several occasions. You would think they could make something wonderful out of this book but it looked like to me they didn't even try.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome Movie
Review: Some reviewers on this website have given it a poor rating because they felt it diverted too much from the book. We all know this is one of the great books of all-time, but in my opinion this movie is just as wonderful as the book. Different from the book in parts, yes, but still equally as good. Liam Neeson is awesome. The filming is realisic and the acting all-around is first rate. If you're someone who can't stand to watch a film that is a little different from the book, don't bother. If you're someone that simply wants to watch a great movie and story, don't miss it!

Rating:
Summary: Not the book, but a splendid film
Review: Some people are saying how horrible this movie is. I don't agree. It's definately not Hugo's novel, but I think comparing it to other movies, it is an excellent addition to your collection. I was very impressed with Uma Thurman's performance as Fantine, and Claire Danes and whoever played Marius are very cute together. :-)

Rating:
Summary: Good Movie....... but......
Review: I've read most of the reviews here and most say it doesn't potray Hugo's themes because Enjolras or Eponine aren't in it. The main themes are there. Liam Neeson and Geoffrey rush are great. Would also be good in a lengthened version. But the one who should be recognized is Uma Thurman as Fantine. You really pitty her and she knows how to bring her character across (and it lets you forget that she played Poison Ivy in Batman and Robin.). For those of you who haven't seen the play or read the book, you'll enjoy it alot. But for you others you won't find it that good (except the first half). As a movie it is good. As an adaption.... well..... get it out from the library first.