Rating: Summary: Not for kids! Review: Donny Osmund is fantastic. But I would never let my children watch this video. I can't believe how the women are portrayed in this production -- obviously there are none in the story, so the women can't be anything but chorus members. But that doesn't mean they have to be chorus members from a burlesque show. Jacob even gets seduced by a sexy dancer! Was this necessary? Especially in a show marketed to families! The production was overdone, and I don't care if the man IS Richard Attenborough, he can't sing. How about hiring singers for a musical? What a radical idea! Anyway, if you like the show and want to share it with your family, buy the album and go see a local production. Too bad this was such a lost opportunity. Especially considering what a wonderful Joseph Donny made . . .
Rating: Summary: Joseph is amazing Review: The entire production is fantastic. My children and I watched it repeatedly and I find myself humming, singing, and whistling the tunes throughout the day. The songs are fabulous, the sets are great, and the story is timeless. I would recommend it without reservation to any family.
Rating: Summary: Don't let your kids watch this! Review: Where do I begin?..... I was VERY disappointed in this film. I thought that it would be something my kids and I could enjoy together. The women are dressing very badly, they look as if they don't have any clothes on at all. Let's not leave talk about the sceen with Donny and Joan.
Rating: Summary: The Perfect Cast! Review: In my opinion, this has to be the perfect cast ever assembled for JOSEPH...DREAMCOAT. Donny Osmond plays Joseph with charm and powerful vocals. Maria Friedman is the best I've seen for the narator part visually and vocally; she brings much charisma and expression to the main role of the narator. The rest of characters are all perfect visually and vocally as well. My only gripe is that I feel this movie could have skipped the annoying scenes of the children in the audience applauding after a few scenes; it really throws off the flow of the movie and during the scene of Joseph acussing the thief among the brothers...I found it annoyings as the kids in the audience interacted in the story yelling "STOP STOP STOP" "WHO'S THE THIEF?" etc. The kids choir is very good vocally but leave them out visually. Overall a very good musical to video production. Highly recommended. I've watched it about 7 times already. I love Maria Friedman's Narrator!
Rating: Summary: What fun! Review: If you've never seen this musical before, this version is a great introduction! A very well rounded cast with a marvelous sense of humor! These are actors who can sing, not singers trying to act. Donny Osmond plays a great Joseph, relaxed and natural. Joan Collins was a bit of a disappointment, but her part is mercifully quick. Maria Friedman, however, stole the show for me as the Narrator. What a wonderful interpretation of the role! In fact, the only thing "wrong" with this show is the fact that the soundtrack is not out on CD!
Rating: Summary: Awful Sound! Review: This movie is really wonderful. The acting is great, and the singing is wonderful, which is the only reason it received 2 stars. The sound of this DVD is the worst I've ever heard. I have a home theatre, and the main singers are great, and has wonderful sound. The background chorus, however, leaves much to be desired. I cannot hear them on my player at all, which is very frustrating and really limits my ability to like this movie. I just wanted to warn people that I have a lot of trouble with this one. No one else seems to be plagued with this problem, but I just wanted to bring it to attention, just so that you will know. I wish I had learned about it before I bought it as a gift for someone. I wouldn't have bothered!
Rating: Summary: Technicolor Dream Video. Review: Since enough reveiws have been written concerning the costumes, sets, and presentation. I thought I'd concentrate on the perfomers first and then add my bit on the others if space permits. Players:Maria Friedman (Narrator): I thought she did a very good job! I loved her voice and how she sang the words. Her expressions were quite nice and everyone who has seen this video with me agrees that she seems to be having a GREAT time! Donny Osmond (Joseph): Great voice, great interpretation and great transistion from Dreamer Joseph to Leader of Egypt Joseph. If you pay attention Joseph is so much more mature at the end of the story. Osmond almost seems born to play the role! Sir Richard Attenborough (Jacob): Brought grace and dignity to the role. This is how I pictured Jacob! When I first heard he was going to be in Joseph I figured maybe they meant somebody else. I'm glad they didn't. The interaction between Attenborough and Osmond is top notched! You can feel the love between Jacob and Joseph at the end of the show. Ian McNeice (Potiphar): He has the right millionairish look about him. I liked his performace up until 'Joseph I'll see you'll rot in. . .'. I just didn't like his interpretation as much as say, the Canadian Potiphar. Joan Collins (Mrs. Potiphar): Excellent choice for the role, bringing star power behind it. I love how she reacts to Joseph's refusal. You can tell THIS is a woman who's used to getting who she wants! And her look of indifferentness as Joseph is carried away is just so fitting to the character. It's like 'Take him away if you want. I'll just find me a new toy.' Robert Torti (Pharaoh): Best 'King' I've heard, and he is absolutely hilarious! Christopher Biggins (Baker): He was ok. Didn't care much for his vocal presentation. However, his physical presentation was top notch! Love that faint! Alex Jennings (Butler): Best Butler I've seen! His performance in the role was perfect! Too bad he was only on for such a short time. Nicolas Colicos (Reuban, One More Angel soloist): I loved his vocal prsentation of OMA better on the London recording, but his physical presentation is a treat. Also his reprise is quite comical as you can see poor Reuban is making it up as he goes along! I should add that his intro in Jacob and Sons is a treat! It's lively, comical and just plain. . . FUN! Jeff Blumenkrantz (Simeon, Those Canaan Days soloist): I loved his performance! Not just in Canaan days but throughout the entire show. His performance in TCD is memorable and near perfection. Haven't seen a better TCD soloist yet! Gerry McIntyre (Judah, Benjamin Calypso soloist): Absolutely hilarious job! He had me laughing all throughout BC. The funniest part by far is his 'Benjamin is an INNOCENT MAN!' Never have I heard it that way! I was rolling on the couch! My only gripe with him is I still have no idea what the heck he's doing in Grovel Grovel lol! Amanda Courtney-Davies (Apache Dancer, [and, I believe Reuban's wife]): I'm fairly certain she was also Reuban's wife. If not, well then take this next reveiw to whoever was. Was so very funny in OMA. Sometime during OMA watch her the whole time (particularly when Reuban says 'To wrestle with. . . a goat!') Another high point in her performance was in TCD when Zebulun drops her (intended). Though minor characters, her performance with them both was worth mentioning. Michael Small (Zebulun): A great dancer! I felt his number in TCD days was worth a mention. And check out his jumps at the start of the OMA hoedown! Other mentions: Martin Callaghan(Asher), Patrick Clancy (Issachar), Peter Challis (Gad). Though they didn't receive much camera time, keep an eye on them in the background of most numbers, you'll definately get a laugh! I only wish space allowed me room to comment on all the brothers!
Rating: Summary: Can we say "overproduced"? Review: I agree wholeheartedly with Donald-from-Ohio's review. I've been a fan of this Lloyd Weber/Rice musical for 20+ years and have seen it grow as songs were added and various recordings made available. Having never had the opportunity to see the stage production, I was eager to see this video. Now I realize that perhaps this musical is one to be heard and not seen, at least not beyond an unpretentious summer camp or youth group presentation, the perfect venues for this show. Yes, Osmond performs nicely in the role of Joseph. But everything else about this production is so overdone that watching it, for me, is like seeing a favorite childhood friend grow up to become a cheap circus performer. The two stars I give this video are for the music itself. But I certainly don't understand why Lloyd Weber chose to add the FINALE song "Any Dream Will Do" to the BEGINNING of the show.
Rating: Summary: Awesome! Review: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is excellent. My family rented it for a week and out of the five days we've had it, my sister and I have watched it at least once a day maybe even more. Donny Osmond gives a spectacular performance as Joseph, he really brings the character alive. The rest of the cast also is a lot of fun to watch, you can relly see truly how much fun they are having. I have to be honest, I really didn't know Donny Osmond could act or sing until now. Since renting it doesn't leave me quite enough time to watch it, I plan on buying it as soon as possible. I love this so much that I sometimes find myself humming, whistling, and singing the songs through out the course of the day. I hope to someday see this show on Broadway. If you haven't seen Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat yet you are really missing something. I strongly reccomend watching this. After only seeing it once you will be hooked, at least I know I was.
Rating: Summary: Terrible! Review: I was given this movie as a gift. not only is it inaccurate, but they imply a lot of sexual interest in Mrs.Potifer when Joseph had none! he was trying to get away. they don't do much with the choreography and they have they narrator interacting with the characters. if your life story was being told as you lived it you wouldn't see the narrator. yes, I realize that it's a movie (& originally theator) but really! some accuracy would be nice!
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