beccles, Local Online News Community, Forums, Chats, For Sale, Classified, Offers, Film Reviews, Events, Motors Sale, Property For Sale Rent, Jobs, Hotels, Taxi, Restaurants, Pubs, Clubs, Pictures, Sports, Charities, Lost Found
  1. Published on: 28/12/2017 12:17 PMReported by: Film Critic
    Plot: The story of how P.T. Barnum created 'The Circus'.

    The first time I heard about this film, I was pretty excited to see this. Especially with it being a musical and Hugh Jackman leading the way as he is a wonderful actor with a strong musical background.

    I have also wanted a film about the character of P.T. Barnum, as I find the history of the birth of the circus to be one that needs to be put to film.

    The closest we have come is 1952's 'The Greatest Show On Earth'. While I know that film is seen as one of the worst Oscar 'Best Picture' winners, I still see it as a really good film.

    While it the film did attempt to cover the topics I was hoping they would, the film itself only just about delivered and left me somewhat satisfied.

    The first half moves along nicely and we get a solid arch with many characters and stand-out set-pieces.

    However, in the second half. The momentum does slow down as the story goes down routes that contradicts its own message. That for me was slowly deflating my emotion for it.

    This was a passion project for Hugh Jackman and his screen presence is still as strong as you would expect. His song-and-dance experience worked well in this and did enough for me in his performance how much of a pioneer Barnum was.

    It was great seeing Zac Efron go back to his musical roots and he was a pleasant addition to the cast.

    I was happy to see Rebecca Ferguson be involved in this, as I think she is a great talent. But I didn't think her characters involvement added much.

    Michelle Williams was massively under-used. For someone of her quality should not have been casted for something so small. However, she did well with what she was given.

    For the rest of the cast, they did a pretty good job. Especially with the big dance numbers.

    A big part of this film that needs to work, is the music. I managed to like it on the whole. However, the poppy and almost X-Factor style of music felt out of place at times with the period. Also, the timing of them felt odd and if you told me to sing one of them back to you, I would struggle to remember. But thankfully, it did manage to work at times. So much so, that those moments were my high points of the film. Those moments also had crowd-pleasing choreography.

    I was surprised at the over-use of visual effects. There were plenty of times where I felt the use of the technology was unnecessary. While there were scenes where CGI is needed, I expected a period piece to have more practical sets and the set-pieces to be always be genuinely done by performers.

    A small mention to the script. While the dialogue was a bit on the nose, it did not feel obvious enough to downgrade my feeling of the film.

    So while I was disappointed with several aspects, I enjoyed it enough to give it a decent rating. I think the commitment by everyone involved helped a lot, especially when it was working for me.

    I think what they did right, was show how much of an exaggerater the character of Barnum and show-business always has been and contain enough moments of the Circus spectacle and razzmatazz.

    But it was a shame that they did not seem to concentrate on the parts that I and many others are expecting to see. When they did show those parts, those were the scenes that I enjoyed the most. If they did that, then I think we would have a true spectacle of 'The Greatest Show On Earth'.

    It's crowd-pleasing message does lose itself in the second half. There is also a romance going on in there that felt forced and had no reason, except that the people involved are the two most popular people in the film within the teenage demographic.

    I can totally see why it is not winning the critics over, but the general public seem to be happy with it. The glossy execution of the story definitely plays to a mainstream crowd. So if you're looking for a thorough account of P.T. Barnum and the beginning of the circus and how we see show-business, you will only get it in small doses.

    The way they showed Barnum almost reminded me of how Walt Disney was portrayed in Saving Mr. Banks. They do show his true nature if you look closely. But on the surface, they sanitised his complex personality.

    To end this on a high note, I will say that I hope this story becomes a theatre production. I say that because I feel it had plenty of moments that would work really well on stage. So fingers crossed this is even the Broadway treatment.

    Rating: 7/10
     

  2. Your Comments:



You are in: UK / Beccles / East of England
Find any Town in the UK, or Use UK map
Local Google MAP for Beccles



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


Film Reviews, Last Cinema Movies, Movies, DVDs
becclesbeccles News


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
beccles Bathroom Suppliesbeccles Bathroom Tapsbeccles Bathroom Furniturebeccles Bathroom Showersbeccles Shower Enclosuresbeccles Bathsbeccles L Shaped Bathbeccles P Shaped Bathbeccles Wet Roomsbeccles Bath Screensbeccles Bath Mixer Tapbeccles Bidet Tapsbeccles Toilet Seatsbeccles Sanitarywarebeccles Combined Toilet Basinbeccles Stovesbeccles Wood Stovesbeccles Home Stovesbeccles Cooker Stovesbeccles Enamel Stovesbeccles Designer Stovesbeccles Contemporary Stovesbeccles Multi Fuel Stovesbeccles Accounts Softwarebeccles Sage Softwarebeccles Sage Line 50beccles Sage Line 200beccles Pegasus Accountsbeccles Access Accountsbeccles Car Servicingbeccles MOTgbeccles Tyresbeccles Car Batterybeccles Exhaustbeccles Journalist Jobsbeccles Reporter Jobsbeccles Writing Jobsbeccles Freelance Writerbeccles Self Employed Jobsbeccles Franchise Businessbeccles Franchise Opportunitiesbeccles Driving Schoolsbeccles Driving Lessonsbeccles Driving Testbeccles Driving Theory Testbeccles Driving Instruction, 0000 beccles Driving Instructor, 0000 beccles Insolvencybeccles Insolvency Servicebeccles Insolvency Servicesbeccles Liquidation Servicebeccles Business Recoverybeccles Insolvency Practitionerbeccles Bankruptcy Servicebeccles Winding Up Petitionbeccles Business Financebeccles Business Recoverybeccles Voluntary Arrangementbeccles Individual Voluntary Arrangementbeccles IVAbeccles Debt Advicebeccles Debt Managementbeccles Company Administrationbeccles Administrationbeccles Corporate Recoverybeccles Corporate Voluntary Arrangementbeccles CVAbeccles Corporate Insolvencybeccles Corporate Liquidationbeccles Members Voluntary Liquidationbeccles MVLbeccles Partnership Voluntary Arrangementbeccles PVAbeccles Tax Demandbeccles Invoice Financebeccles Bridging Financebeccles Vouchersbeccles Dealsbeccles Matalanbeccles Firewoodbeccles Fire Woodbeccles Kiln Dried Hardwoodbeccles Logs For Salebeccles Log Suppliesbeccles Logsbeccles Firewood Logsbeccles Seasoned Logsbeccles Hardwood Logsbeccles Firewood Suppliersbeccles Firewood Log Suppliersbeccles Firewood Dumpy Bagsbeccles Firewood Cratesbeccles Cheap Firewoodbeccles Homefire Logsbeccles Cheap Firewood Logsbeccles Kindle Conesbeccles Pizza Oven Logsbeccles Heating Oilbeccles Home Heating Oilbeccles Red Dieselbeccles White Dieselbeccles Keresenebeccles Commercial Fuelsbeccles Calor Gasbeccles Propane Gasbeccles Butane Gasbeccles Heating Gasbeccles Horse Trainingbeccles Horse Trainerbeccles Horse Whispererbeccles Equine Whispererbeccles Horse Whisperer Victoria Smithbeccles Rattan Garden Furniturebeccles Rattan Furniturebeccles Rattan Sofabeccles Rattan Dining Setbeccles Rattan Directbeccles Cheap Rattan Furniturebeccles Rattan Corner Sofasbeccles Rattan Day Bedsbeccles Rattan Sun Loungersbeccles Rattan Cube Setsbeccles Rattan Bistro Setsbeccles Chimeneasbeccles Firepitsbeccles Patio Heatersbeccles Card Payments Processingbeccles Credit Card Processingbeccles Merchant Servicesbeccles Merchant Accountbeccles Merchant Paymentsbeccles Card Machinesbeccles Card Terminalsbeccles Online Paymentsbeccles Worldpaybeccles Bouncy Castlesbeccles Bouncy Castle Hirebeccles Garden Trampolinesbeccles Pramsbeccles Pushchairsbeccles Strollersbeccles Hauck Pramsbeccles Huackbeccles Childrens Trampolinesbeccles Baby Mobilesbeccles Baby Activity Matsbeccles Baby Bedroom Furniturebeccles Childrens Bedroom Furniturebeccles Hygiene Vendingbeccles Washroom Vendingbeccles Air Freshenersbeccles Air Carebeccles Aerosol Systemsbeccles Gel Systemsbeccles Water Savingbeccles Urinal Water Savingbeccles Eco Capsbeccles Sensaflushbeccles Water Managementbeccles Urinal Dosingbeccles Urinal V Screensbeccles Legionella Risk Assessmentbeccles Legionaires Bacterialbeccles Odour Controlbeccles Odour Eliminationbeccles Odour Removalbeccles Airsterilbeccles Hand Carebeccles Hand Creambeccles Hand Soapbeccles Hand Washingbeccles Hand Dryingbeccles Hand Dryersbeccles Electric Hand Dryersbeccles Fast Hand Dryersbeccles Commercial Hand Dryersbeccles Energy Efficient Hand Dryersbeccles Hand Dryer Rentalbeccles Hand Dryer Salesbeccles Paper Towelsbeccles Roller Towelsbeccles Cotton Roller Towelsbeccles Blue Roller Towelsbeccles White Roller Towelsbeccles Janitorial Suppliesbeccles Janitorialbeccles Cleaning Suppliesbeccles Cleaning Productsbeccles Cleaning Equipmentbeccles Office Cleaningbeccles Home Cleaningbeccles Debt Recovery Servicesbeccles Debt Recoverybeccles Debt Collectionbeccles Outsource Credit Controlbeccles Collection Agencybeccles Debt Collection Agencybeccles Commercial Canopybeccles Steel Canopybeccles Bike Shedsbeccles Bike Storagebeccles Bicycle Storebeccles Bicycle Storagebeccles Bikes Storebeccles Bike Storebeccles Outdoor Canopybeccles Cycle Sheltersbeccles Cycle Shedbeccles Cycle Storagebeccles Cycle Rackbeccles Cycle Compoundbeccles Cycle Solutionsbeccles Scooter Storagebeccles Scooter Shelterbeccles Canopiesbeccles Canopybeccles Play Area Canopybeccles Entrance Canopiesbeccles Entrance Canopybeccles Waiting Shelterbeccles Smoking Shelterbeccles Parent Waiting Shelterbeccles Parent Shelterbeccles Teen Shelterbeccles Nursery Canopybeccles School Canopybeccles Play Canopybeccles Envirolawnbeccles Astroturfbeccles Cheap Astroturfbeccles Artificial Grassbeccles Cheap Artificial Grassbeccles Astro Turfbeccles Artificial Lawnbeccles Fake Grassbeccles Fake Lawnbeccles Fire Stove Glassbeccles Heat Resistant Glassbeccles Fire Glassbeccles Stove Glassbeccles Fire Resistant Glassbeccles Replacement Stove Glassbeccles Glass For Stovesbeccles Spill Kitsbeccles Spill Control Kitsbeccles Spill Kit Refillsbeccles Spill Kit Refill GK6beccles Chemical Spill Kitsbeccles Oil Spill Kitsbeccles Solar Panelsbeccles Solar Panels Costbeccles Solar Heatingbeccles Solar PVbeccles Commercial Solarbeccles Photovoltaicbeccles Dust Matsbeccles Entrance Matsbeccles Reception Matsbeccles Anti Fatigue Matsbeccles Floor Matsbeccles Logo Matsbeccles Washroom Servicesbeccles Principal Washroomsbeccles Washrooms Suppliesbeccles Washrooms Solutionsbeccles Sanitary Disposalbeccles Sanitary Binsbeccles Sani Binsbeccles Lady Binsbeccles Feminine Hygiene Unitsbeccles Sanitary Waste Disposalbeccles Sanitary Wastebeccles Sanitary Unitsbeccles Feminine Unitsbeccles Hygiene Servicesbeccles Sanitary Bin Supplierbeccles Sanitary Bin Rentalbeccles Sanitary Bin Rental Servicesbeccles General Wastebeccles Trade Wastebeccles Commercial Wastebeccles Business Wastebeccles Waste Managementbeccles Waste Collectionbeccles Cardboard Wastebeccles Paper Wastebeccles Plastic Wastebeccles Glass Wastebeccles Biomass Wastebeccles Metal Wastebeccles Confidential Wastebeccles Confidential Waste Servicebeccles On Site Shreddingbeccles Off Site Shreddingbeccles One Off Shreddingbeccles Contract Shreddingbeccles Dental Wastebeccles Dental Waste Disposalbeccles Dental Waste Legislationbeccles Dental Waste Compliancebeccles Accupuncture Wastebeccles Accupuncture Waste Disposalbeccles Accupuncture Waste Collectionbeccles Tattoo Wastebeccles Tattoo Waste Disposalbeccles Sharps Binbeccles Sharps Collectionbeccles Hazardous Sharpsbeccles Non Hazardous Sharpsbeccles Cytotoxic Sharpsbeccles Cytostatic Sharpsbeccles Ink Blockbeccles Wet_Wastebeccles Tattoo Inkbeccles Drug Destructionbeccles Drug Disposalbeccles Drug Denaturingbeccles Unwanted Drugsbeccles Out Of Date Drugsbeccles Pest Controlbeccles Rodent Controlbeccles Bird Controlbeccles Bird Proofingbeccles Guano Controlbeccles Pest Call Outbeccles Pest Preventionbeccles Pest Deterrentbeccles Nursery Wastebeccles Nappy Wastebeccles Nappy Binbeccles Nappy Disposalbeccles Nappy Wheelie Binbeccles Nursery Waste Disposalbeccles Nursery Waste Collectionbeccles Incontinence Padsbeccles Offensive Wastebeccles Human Wastebeccles Nursing Home Wastebeccles Care Home Wastebeccles Hazardous Wastebeccles Infectous Wastebeccles Pharmaceutical Wastebeccles Medicinal Wastebeccles Medicine Wastebeccles Infection Controlbeccles Hand Sanitisersbeccles Clinical Waste Disposalbeccles Clinical Waste Managementbeccles Clinical Waste Policybeccles EA Registrationbeccles Hammocksbeccles Garden Hammocksbeccles Adult Hammocksbeccles Childrens Hammocksbeccles Baby Hammocks