beverley, 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 / Beverley / Yorkshire and the Humber
Find any Town in the UK, or Use UK map
Local Google MAP for Beverley



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


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


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
beverley Bathroom Suppliesbeverley Bathroom Tapsbeverley Bathroom Furniturebeverley Bathroom Showersbeverley Shower Enclosuresbeverley Bathsbeverley L Shaped Bathbeverley P Shaped Bathbeverley Wet Roomsbeverley Bath Screensbeverley Bath Mixer Tapbeverley Bidet Tapsbeverley Toilet Seatsbeverley Sanitarywarebeverley Combined Toilet Basinbeverley Stovesbeverley Wood Stovesbeverley Home Stovesbeverley Cooker Stovesbeverley Enamel Stovesbeverley Designer Stovesbeverley Contemporary Stovesbeverley Multi Fuel Stovesbeverley Accounts Softwarebeverley Sage Softwarebeverley Sage Line 50beverley Sage Line 200beverley Pegasus Accountsbeverley Access Accountsbeverley Car Servicingbeverley MOTgbeverley Tyresbeverley Car Batterybeverley Exhaustbeverley Journalist Jobsbeverley Reporter Jobsbeverley Writing Jobsbeverley Freelance Writerbeverley Self Employed Jobsbeverley Franchise Businessbeverley Franchise Opportunitiesbeverley Driving Schoolsbeverley Driving Lessonsbeverley Driving Testbeverley Driving Theory Testbeverley Driving Instruction, 0000 beverley Driving Instructor, 0000 beverley Insolvencybeverley Insolvency Servicebeverley Insolvency Servicesbeverley Liquidation Servicebeverley Business Recoverybeverley Insolvency Practitionerbeverley Bankruptcy Servicebeverley Winding Up Petitionbeverley Business Financebeverley Business Recoverybeverley Voluntary Arrangementbeverley Individual Voluntary Arrangementbeverley IVAbeverley Debt Advicebeverley Debt Managementbeverley Company Administrationbeverley Administrationbeverley Corporate Recoverybeverley Corporate Voluntary Arrangementbeverley CVAbeverley Corporate Insolvencybeverley Corporate Liquidationbeverley Members Voluntary Liquidationbeverley MVLbeverley Partnership Voluntary Arrangementbeverley PVAbeverley Tax Demandbeverley Invoice Financebeverley Bridging Financebeverley Vouchersbeverley Dealsbeverley Matalanbeverley Firewoodbeverley Fire Woodbeverley Kiln Dried Hardwoodbeverley Logs For Salebeverley Log Suppliesbeverley Logsbeverley Firewood Logsbeverley Seasoned Logsbeverley Hardwood Logsbeverley Firewood Suppliersbeverley Firewood Log Suppliersbeverley Firewood Dumpy Bagsbeverley Firewood Cratesbeverley Cheap Firewoodbeverley Homefire Logsbeverley Cheap Firewood Logsbeverley Kindle Conesbeverley Pizza Oven Logsbeverley Heating Oilbeverley Home Heating Oilbeverley Red Dieselbeverley White Dieselbeverley Keresenebeverley Commercial Fuelsbeverley Calor Gasbeverley Propane Gasbeverley Butane Gasbeverley Heating Gasbeverley Horse Trainingbeverley Horse Trainerbeverley Horse Whispererbeverley Equine Whispererbeverley Horse Whisperer Victoria Smithbeverley Rattan Garden Furniturebeverley Rattan Furniturebeverley Rattan Sofabeverley Rattan Dining Setbeverley Rattan Directbeverley Cheap Rattan Furniturebeverley Rattan Corner Sofasbeverley Rattan Day Bedsbeverley Rattan Sun Loungersbeverley Rattan Cube Setsbeverley Rattan Bistro Setsbeverley Chimeneasbeverley Firepitsbeverley Patio Heatersbeverley Card Payments Processingbeverley Credit Card Processingbeverley Merchant Servicesbeverley Merchant Accountbeverley Merchant Paymentsbeverley Card Machinesbeverley Card Terminalsbeverley Online Paymentsbeverley Worldpaybeverley Bouncy Castlesbeverley Bouncy Castle Hirebeverley Garden Trampolinesbeverley Pramsbeverley Pushchairsbeverley Strollersbeverley Hauck Pramsbeverley Huackbeverley Childrens Trampolinesbeverley Baby Mobilesbeverley Baby Activity Matsbeverley Baby Bedroom Furniturebeverley Childrens Bedroom Furniturebeverley Hygiene Vendingbeverley Washroom Vendingbeverley Air Freshenersbeverley Air Carebeverley Aerosol Systemsbeverley Gel Systemsbeverley Water Savingbeverley Urinal Water Savingbeverley Eco Capsbeverley Sensaflushbeverley Water Managementbeverley Urinal Dosingbeverley Urinal V Screensbeverley Legionella Risk Assessmentbeverley Legionaires Bacterialbeverley Odour Controlbeverley Odour Eliminationbeverley Odour Removalbeverley Airsterilbeverley Hand Carebeverley Hand Creambeverley Hand Soapbeverley Hand Washingbeverley Hand Dryingbeverley Hand Dryersbeverley Electric Hand Dryersbeverley Fast Hand Dryersbeverley Commercial Hand Dryersbeverley Energy Efficient Hand Dryersbeverley Hand Dryer Rentalbeverley Hand Dryer Salesbeverley Paper Towelsbeverley Roller Towelsbeverley Cotton Roller Towelsbeverley Blue Roller Towelsbeverley White Roller Towelsbeverley Janitorial Suppliesbeverley Janitorialbeverley Cleaning Suppliesbeverley Cleaning Productsbeverley Cleaning Equipmentbeverley Office Cleaningbeverley Home Cleaningbeverley Debt Recovery Servicesbeverley Debt Recoverybeverley Debt Collectionbeverley Outsource Credit Controlbeverley Collection Agencybeverley Debt Collection Agencybeverley Commercial Canopybeverley Steel Canopybeverley Bike Shedsbeverley Bike Storagebeverley Bicycle Storebeverley Bicycle Storagebeverley Bikes Storebeverley Bike Storebeverley Outdoor Canopybeverley Cycle Sheltersbeverley Cycle Shedbeverley Cycle Storagebeverley Cycle Rackbeverley Cycle Compoundbeverley Cycle Solutionsbeverley Scooter Storagebeverley Scooter Shelterbeverley Canopiesbeverley Canopybeverley Play Area Canopybeverley Entrance Canopiesbeverley Entrance Canopybeverley Waiting Shelterbeverley Smoking Shelterbeverley Parent Waiting Shelterbeverley Parent Shelterbeverley Teen Shelterbeverley Nursery Canopybeverley School Canopybeverley Play Canopybeverley Envirolawnbeverley Astroturfbeverley Cheap Astroturfbeverley Artificial Grassbeverley Cheap Artificial Grassbeverley Astro Turfbeverley Artificial Lawnbeverley Fake Grassbeverley Fake Lawnbeverley Fire Stove Glassbeverley Heat Resistant Glassbeverley Fire Glassbeverley Stove Glassbeverley Fire Resistant Glassbeverley Replacement Stove Glassbeverley Glass For Stovesbeverley Spill Kitsbeverley Spill Control Kitsbeverley Spill Kit Refillsbeverley Spill Kit Refill GK6beverley Chemical Spill Kitsbeverley Oil Spill Kitsbeverley Solar Panelsbeverley Solar Panels Costbeverley Solar Heatingbeverley Solar PVbeverley Commercial Solarbeverley Photovoltaicbeverley Dust Matsbeverley Entrance Matsbeverley Reception Matsbeverley Anti Fatigue Matsbeverley Floor Matsbeverley Logo Matsbeverley Washroom Servicesbeverley Principal Washroomsbeverley Washrooms Suppliesbeverley Washrooms Solutionsbeverley Sanitary Disposalbeverley Sanitary Binsbeverley Sani Binsbeverley Lady Binsbeverley Feminine Hygiene Unitsbeverley Sanitary Waste Disposalbeverley Sanitary Wastebeverley Sanitary Unitsbeverley Feminine Unitsbeverley Hygiene Servicesbeverley Sanitary Bin Supplierbeverley Sanitary Bin Rentalbeverley Sanitary Bin Rental Servicesbeverley General Wastebeverley Trade Wastebeverley Commercial Wastebeverley Business Wastebeverley Waste Managementbeverley Waste Collectionbeverley Cardboard Wastebeverley Paper Wastebeverley Plastic Wastebeverley Glass Wastebeverley Biomass Wastebeverley Metal Wastebeverley Confidential Wastebeverley Confidential Waste Servicebeverley On Site Shreddingbeverley Off Site Shreddingbeverley One Off Shreddingbeverley Contract Shreddingbeverley Dental Wastebeverley Dental Waste Disposalbeverley Dental Waste Legislationbeverley Dental Waste Compliancebeverley Accupuncture Wastebeverley Accupuncture Waste Disposalbeverley Accupuncture Waste Collectionbeverley Tattoo Wastebeverley Tattoo Waste Disposalbeverley Sharps Binbeverley Sharps Collectionbeverley Hazardous Sharpsbeverley Non Hazardous Sharpsbeverley Cytotoxic Sharpsbeverley Cytostatic Sharpsbeverley Ink Blockbeverley Wet_Wastebeverley Tattoo Inkbeverley Drug Destructionbeverley Drug Disposalbeverley Drug Denaturingbeverley Unwanted Drugsbeverley Out Of Date Drugsbeverley Pest Controlbeverley Rodent Controlbeverley Bird Controlbeverley Bird Proofingbeverley Guano Controlbeverley Pest Call Outbeverley Pest Preventionbeverley Pest Deterrentbeverley Nursery Wastebeverley Nappy Wastebeverley Nappy Binbeverley Nappy Disposalbeverley Nappy Wheelie Binbeverley Nursery Waste Disposalbeverley Nursery Waste Collectionbeverley Incontinence Padsbeverley Offensive Wastebeverley Human Wastebeverley Nursing Home Wastebeverley Care Home Wastebeverley Hazardous Wastebeverley Infectous Wastebeverley Pharmaceutical Wastebeverley Medicinal Wastebeverley Medicine Wastebeverley Infection Controlbeverley Hand Sanitisersbeverley Clinical Waste Disposalbeverley Clinical Waste Managementbeverley Clinical Waste Policybeverley EA Registrationbeverley Hammocksbeverley Garden Hammocksbeverley Adult Hammocksbeverley Childrens Hammocksbeverley Baby Hammocks