Rating: Summary: Donny's come a long way from his "One Bad Apple" days Review: This is a pleasantly entertaining cinematic version of the Webber-Rice musical. Donny Osmond shows he can still perform well in his middle-age years. He's no longer the cute young teen idol who performed with four of his older brothers back in the early seventies, but accompanied with a fine supporting cast, he does this musical complete justice in its screen presentation. This is one video worth seeing over and over again.
Rating: Summary: If you couldn't see the play, this is the next best thing. Review: I guess, overall, I found "Joseph..." very enjoyable. Currently I am performing in a community theatre production at Lakeshore Players Theatre in Minnesota. After seeing the DVD, I am jealous.Donny made a flawless performance of Joe. Even though the Narrator was breathy and (at times) weak in the vocal department, I was pleased with her. She had a very cool "aire" about her that made the character fabulous. If she had played the narrator on stage, I would have been less pleased, he weaker voice worked fine for the video. Bravo to the 11 brothers for masterful performances. Their random facial experssions and spuratic movements were hillarious, along with their voices. My hat's off to Pharoah as well... it was all in the eyes, and it was great. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time... GREAT facial expressions, obviously this man was at one time a stage actor. The character who did "Benjamin's Calypso" was an inspiration, especially because that is my song in the production I am doing. He was excellent, even though if something wasn't quite right... (yay for color-blind casting!) My favorite scene is probably Potiphar. I loved the perceptions... Joan Collins is beautiful, and the costumes (although risque) were perfect.... however, I found it interesting that in this version, Joseph actually started to LIKE the "free love" he experienced with Mrs. Potiphar. The other major change I saw was during the Butler/Baker scene... the line changed from "...both in the dog house FOR doing their thing..." in the b-way production to "... both in the dog house WERE doing their thing..." in the video. This change, along with the facial expression given by the narrator, incinuated the men were homosexual (if you couldn't tell by looking at them). I absolutely do not have a problem with that, it was just an interesting take on a Bible story... bravo for the 21st century! Although the camera work was poor with constant mis-matches between shots (which way was that chicken wing facing?), and the audio mixing was less than perfect (how do you sync sound with the lips of an entire chorus?), I found the colorful and cartoonish sets more than compensated. They were wonderful! Email me with your response to my review...
Rating: Summary: Great for Kids too! Review: My 5 year old daughter and I stumbled upon Joseph on PBS. She watch it twice on TV and loved it so much we're here now to buy the movie. The movie/music is entertaining for people of all ages!
Rating: Summary: Awesome! (But not for the entire family...) Review: It is terrific that this video/DVD was made to resemble the play - clever stages and all. The music is fantastic and if the viewer has seen the play prior to viewing this movie they will be more than satisfied (although I have to agree with another reviewer that a stronger Narrator could have been chosen). The only reason I don't give this five stars is the "family" issue - I read the back of the box at a video store prior to my Amazon purchase and it said "...a dream of a movie for all of the family." It also showed a pic of Joan Collins (in her fun little role at Potiphar's wife) wearing an all-black costume. HOWEVER, when I began watching the movie with my 3 1/2 year old Ms. Collins is actually wearing black from the waist down - the top of her costume (as with the other dancers in the scene) is flesh colored with tan "pasties" (which appears topless). The same was the case in the Pharoh's scene, where dancers wore flesh-colored thong bodysuits under gold mesh "dresses" (the overall look was nude). I'm no prude, and my son didn't say anything about the dancers in these scenes, however I thought the costuming in these two scenes (as well as the brief sexual innuendo in them) should have earned this movie a PG rating.
Rating: Summary: Not for Children Review: Donny Osmond was wonderful as always, the female lead was not as strong as the CD. This video is not for children. The costumes in the Pharoah's scene are offensive and in poor taste.
Rating: Summary: A Video Worth the Wait Review: After seeing the teaser ad for this production on the Cats video, I was looking forward to the chance to see it. I'd known about Joseph for years, but had never had the chance to see it on stage. I'm pleased to report that the video was worth the wait. The performers are fantastic. I'd not heard anything of Donny Osmond since his teen idol days, and was pleased to find that he has an even better voice than I'd remembered. Maria Friedman (Narrator) is also a joy to see and hear. In fact, all of the music throughout is so infectious that I've found myself humming Joseph songs during lulls at work - and at home - and in the car, well, you get the picture. The sets are colorful and imaginative (my daughter especially enjoys the large Egyptian head with the moving eyes used during the Pharoh's song (I did have to explain the heavy references to Elvis Presley, but then she's only 5 -- give her time). And the costumers deserve a round of applause for the title "Technicolor Dreamcoat" (let alone the dozens of other gorgeous outfits). If I had any gripe at all, it would be about the copious use of flesh colored body-stockings on the female chorus members in the Egyptian sequences. True, the costuming fits the time and place of the action, but some parents might wish to view it before deciding if it's appropriate for their younger children (though I didn't have a problem with my 5-year-old seeing it). All in all, this video is one that will be (and has already been) viewed again and again at our house.
Rating: Summary: Truly Amazing Review: I just finished watching this video production, and all I have to say is, Go, Go, Go, Joseph! The whole production kept me in awe and goosebumps. Donny Osmond takes the role of Joseph and definately makes it his own. I've seen him in all of his forms: Bubble Gum Teen Idol, 80s Rock Star, and now this. Actually, when he performed, I totally forgot this was the same guy who was "a little bit rock n roll". Would I call this a "family musical"? Hard to say. There are some racy scenes in it, but nothing like extreme. I just took it as a fun experience. My favorite number has to be "Go, Go, Go, Joseph". The number kept me in awe. Maria Freidman was also good as The Narrator. She makes sure you come along and stay along for the ride. Pick this one up and enjoy the show.
Rating: Summary: Takes Some Getting Used To But Worth It Review: After the intial shock of the transition to movie from theatre, the overall presentation is delighfully funny. Donny Osmond provides an outstanding performance and the brothers provide hilarious comic relief. Though many sets and scenes are a bit gaudy and cheap,when those are looked past, the powerful lyrics are once again chilling and wonderful. A definte buy for any true Joesph fan, though not for the first timers who must see the stage show to really understand the Joesph magic.
Rating: Summary: Wonderful Entertainment! Review: "Jospeph" is wonderful entertainment! I was enthralled and watched it several times! The most wonderful part was the blend of voices between Maria as the Narrator and Donny Osmond. A must see.
Rating: Summary: go go go JOSEPH! Review: I had never seen the stage production but now after seeing the DVD.. I wish I had! I have always been a huge fan of Andrew Lloyds Webber and Tim Rice's "Jesus Christ Superstar" but was apprehensive because I had the mindset of "Donny Osmond" still being a teen idol but after seeing the DVD I loved Donny Osmonds way of pulling off a naive young man and then a grown man at the end... Maria Friedman's expressions to the children and wonderful voice left me humming and singing the songs to the point I had to go buy the soundtrack for in the CAR! The way her and Donny "ham" it up in the movie left me in stitches! I was so disappointed that the only soundtrack cd with Donny Osmond as the main character did NOT have Maria Friedman as well.. Instead it is the original Canadian cast and find it lacking so much from the movie :( I plan to buy a special copy in VHS format for my young daughter who lives with her dad. I think she will love it! If you are hesitating about buying it because of Donny Osmond.. DON'T hesitate any longer! Like I said, I regret not having seen it now a few years ago when he came to Milwaukee!
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