chicago [A-]

moviemcpeake snippet: I come from a family, well a mom, who raised me to love musicals. From "The Sound of Music" to "Moulin Rouge," I have always enjoyed a good singing flick. They are sometimes cheesy, always fun, and great to sing along. "Chicago" was no different. It was a foot tapping, fun time. I want the song track (a key to an excellent musical). The minus part of the A was due to the fact that, I feel "Moulin Rouge" set a new precedence for musicals. "Chicago's" energy wasn't as high, the acting wasn't as good, but...

There were three who out shined the rest. Catherine Zeta Jones, Queen Latifah, and John C. Reilly. Although Renee Zellweger and Richard Gere did a good job, you never forgot who they were. Zellweger has never been a favorite performer of mine. Her voice, facial expressions never really change from role to role. And Richard Gere, not so great at the singing but he played the popular lawyer well. But Zeta Jones, stole the show over Zellweger with her supporting role and honestly, Latifah was the fun, the toe tapping, and the performer who kept it driving forward and full of energy. She, in my opinion, is underrated, to most. And John C. Reilly the best small role actor. No matter how many lines or lack of, he always gives it everything. His solo act was touching and left an impression.

My favorite part of "Chicago" was the fact that I really felt I was at a music hall watching it. It did not lose the stage presence a musical has and it used stage dancing and effects throughout the entire movie, leaving me waiting for the curtain to fall at the end and a standing ovation to occur when Zeta Jones, Latifah, and Reilly came out and took their bows. Unfortunately there were no live performers, no bows, but I still gave them a standing-o in my mind.

recommendation: tap the night away