Review: Chicago

Chicago may, very well be, one best musicals of all-time. I make that statement with a certain hate for the genre; I can only imagine what fans of the style will feel about it. West Side Story, The Sound of Music, and Singin’ in the Rain are certainly better movies, but this is just plain fun. Every step that Chicago makes is well choreographed, and every note that it hits is pure. With its sharp cinematography, excellent acting, entertaining presence, and sexy look; this is one of the year’s best. I could watch Chicago all day long, because the material never tires. “Pop. Six. Squish. Uh-Uh. Cicero. Lipschitz!” I strongly urge you to go see this magical show, and experience its joy.

A musical about women who kill their husbands and side affairs is just, simply, interesting. Who needs Annie when we can see Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones as murderers? Listening to Richard Gere sing is also worth the price of a ticket alone! This is a masterful picture, full of sexy antics, that is highly watchable. I was stunned at such a miraculous adaptation of the entertaining Broadway play. The lighting, sets, costumes, dancing, singing, and acting bring out the best in the beautifully done direction, production, cinematography, and choreography. What an excellent film this is!

The casting directors picked better actors, than singers for the many roles. But, regardless, Zellweger, Zeta-Jones, and Gere are an onscreen knockout together. Despite the several negative comments toward the three’s singing and dancing abilities; I think they were excellent choices. Another notable performance comes from Queen Latifah, who plays a sleazy prison guard. Her character tries to help Zellweger’s Roxie and Zeta-Jones’ Velma get out of the big-house by assisting them in getting the best lawyer in town, Billy Flynn (Richard Gere). Mr. Flynn has never lost a case, and not one of his clients have ever been executed.

The sets and costumes make this material some of the best eye candy I have seen in any movie; ever. As the red lights flair, and the curtains rise, the music sounds, and the dancers fly; our face lights up with joy. Chicago has such wonderfully entertaining material; we are enchanted by its every move. It is so crazy and fun in its execution, all audience members begin to believe that it is taking on a life of its own. There is not one flaw in sight, as we zip through this amusingly breathtaking ride. There are few films in recent memory that have just flat-out amazed me, and Chicago is one of them. It is a gigantic delight full of color and life.

Chicago is a full-fledged, crazy and outgoing musical that is one of the more memorable films of 2002. The excellent soundtrack combines perfectly with the non-stop numbers full of skillful singing and dancing. Every aspect of this first-rate and this unflawed masterpiece of a film is spectacular. I cannot rave enough about its extremely pleasing qualities that are mystifyingly entertaining to watch. I went to an 11:20 am showing of it that was almost sold out. The film isn’t even in wide release yet! I can’t even imagine how packed it will be at a 7:00 show, when it’s in 1,000 more theatres! I was extremely happy with the end result when walking out of the theatre, and I hope others like it just as much as me.

-Danny, Bucket Reviews