This movie is above all else beautiful. Every scene is gorgeous, from the costumes to the makeup to lighting and set decoration. So that's worth seeing right there.
The film itself has flaws, and it's the same flaw that every musical I have ever scene besides Chicago had. The fact remains, and Bill Condon the director of this movie but the screenwriter of Chicago should know this, is that when people break out into song during conversations it feels incredibly phony and it completely stops the picture. Song and dance routines should be left to the stage. They don't belong in everyday life. That's what made Chicago so great, they had finally found a way to make a musical that had songs all around but didn't break or stop the picture. Bill Condon takes one step back here and keeps this movie from being as good as it should be.
What is great about this movie is Eddie Murphy. That guy has found the role of a lifetime. He's got a whole lot of soul and I only wish the movie was solely about him. Instead it's about the Dreams, two of which, Beyonce and the other girl, don't have much of parts. I have no idea why she was nominated for a supporting actress oscar, but Jennifer Hudson's charachter "effie" is the main character in this story. She's the only one that's somewhat defined. All the other characters are cookie cutter stereotypes
The music is fine. It's got as many hits as misses. And there is one too many slow song in this picture. Jennifer Hudson's big song which everyone is raving about, I felt was merely okay. I really don't care how loud or emotional one can sing. It doesn't matter if the song doesn't fit. (That song started as a "let's just start singing" thing) I don't know, I thought she was good and I think she's a good singer, but I wouldn't choose her for an Oscar. The story just wasn't good enough. Eddie Murphy though, that guy's got it.
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