"The Greatest Showman" - new Hugh Jackman film

Just got back from seeing THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, and we really enjoyed it. It's kind of a bizarre combination of a historical biography with very fast-paced contemporary musical numbers, but in some ways it's a throwback to the great Hollywood musicals of the 1940s and 1950s.

It veers wildly from the real story of P.T. Barnum (who was a much more complex man that what we see on-screen), but it's a fun romp. Some of the VFX were really cheesy, particularly some of the 1850 NY "street scenes," the vintage trains, and the CG lions and elephants, but the editing (credited to no less than 6 people) was spectacular and the color (by Tim Stipan at CO3) was really beautiful from start to finish.

Terrific entertainment, and a rare modern film that actually felt 20 minutes too short for me.



Film Review: ‘The Greatest Showman’

 

We Like him so we will see this...glad the singing was at a minimum...thanks Gary. : )

 

Wolverine sings ...

Seriously he’s such a talent.

 

Loved every second. Can't wait to buy the dvd.

 

Hate musicals so I’m probably out on this despite the good reviews.

 

It looks like something I've seen before...

 

I nearly didn't go because it was a musical - but I remembered how good Jackman had been in 'Oklahoma!' on tv some years ago. That memory swung it. So glad I saw it on the big screen. Pretty packed house too.

 

Loved it! Immediately bought the soundtrack. Hugh Jackman blew me away. Much better than Pierce Brosnan.

I'm surprised this isn't being discussed in Music Corner. Fantastic soundtrack.

 

I'm sure he'll be back in X-Men soon.

 

I'll check this out next cinema visit.

 

Is this film version of the Broadway show "Barnum?"

 

I will probably pick up the Blu-ray on release day.

 

Yes, very entertaining pic. I too was surprised when it ended so soon. I thought there was till another 20 minutes coming.

 

I think that's why it got off to a rocky start. A musical about a circus guy? And so many people do hate musicals and I'm generally one of them. I woukd have hated to be the marketing guy for this one. I was dragged kicking and screaming to see this. Well, I liked it so much I have recommended it to numerous people who have all loved it. Don't let not liking musicals keep you from seeing it! I can't wait to by the soundtrack recently announced, finally, for a vinyl release. The soundtrack really took in sales and I'm betting it took them by surprise as I don't think it was going to get a vinyl release. This thing really took off after a bad start, as Vidiot will recall. I'm really happy for all involved. You hate to see something like this, so well done (I personally didn't notice anything off about the cgi but I was pretty enthralled by the story) and then it just bombs. This could have gone that route...it started to, and word of mouth has really saved it. Go see it!

 

Always leave them wanting more as they say! Actually, I thought the length was fine. Less chance to screw it up! There was a couple of times I thought they would, but by staying true to his character they never did. Man how I loved the scene of his new discovery when she debuted in that big theatre! Her voice and the song gave me the chills and I want the soundtrack just for that!

 

Looks like Willy Wonka!

 

I caught this movie over the weekend and really enjoyed it. The contemporary style music was good and the choreography was great. My family generally like Broadway style musicals and we would love to see this live on stage.

 

Borrowed the DVD from a local library tonight and watched it with my family. We all liked it. The first ten minutes struck me as feeling like a Disney movie but not animated. I seeing the scenes as they would look in animation. Fun movie.

 

I’ve probably watched the Jenny Lind “Never Enough” performance at least 20 times. Fascinating scene.

 

The soundtrack's huge in Australia. It's been high in the chart for over a year.

Just double checked. It's #6 and the 'reimagined' version is #15

 

I was very, very surprised that the film wound up making a whopping $435 million, which was far more than they expected. It's a very interesting film that went in some unexpected directions. If I could've made one change, it would've been that Barnum himself should have been younger -- Hugh Jackman was actually a little too old for the part (he's about 50). He spent a few years trying to get this film developed, so it might have actually worked better if he had been a decade younger... but it is what it is. Still, the role of a lifetime for him and he does a lot with it. The "making of" documentary on the production is astonishing, particularly the story on how he had to pitch the film to the studio a day or two after he got out of throat surgery (!!!) but wound up singing a little bit anyway, even though his doctors warned him not to (!!!!!!). He's an extraordinary actor, and it's rare to find anybody that has the range of what he does in this film.

 

I love musicals but I didn't find the songs in this particularly compelling.

 

With this one you kinda have to get into the movie first. If the movie resonates with you, the songs will follow. It took a couple viewings for it to all click for me but now I really enjoy the album.

 

Hugh Jackman deliriously happy on The Tonight show the other week. Looks like he”ll continue in musicals for decades to come. Shockingly skinny now, fat chance of Wolverine cameo in Deadpool.