airdrie, 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 / Airdrie / Scotland
Find any Town in the UK, or Use UK map
Local Google MAP for Airdrie



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


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


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
airdrie Bathroom Suppliesairdrie Bathroom Tapsairdrie Bathroom Furnitureairdrie Bathroom Showersairdrie Shower Enclosuresairdrie Bathsairdrie L Shaped Bathairdrie P Shaped Bathairdrie Wet Roomsairdrie Bath Screensairdrie Bath Mixer Tapairdrie Bidet Tapsairdrie Toilet Seatsairdrie Sanitarywareairdrie Combined Toilet Basinairdrie Stovesairdrie Wood Stovesairdrie Home Stovesairdrie Cooker Stovesairdrie Enamel Stovesairdrie Designer Stovesairdrie Contemporary Stovesairdrie Multi Fuel Stovesairdrie Accounts Softwareairdrie Sage Softwareairdrie Sage Line 50airdrie Sage Line 200airdrie Pegasus Accountsairdrie Access Accountsairdrie Car Servicingairdrie MOTgairdrie Tyresairdrie Car Batteryairdrie Exhaustairdrie Journalist Jobsairdrie Reporter Jobsairdrie Writing Jobsairdrie Freelance Writerairdrie Self Employed Jobsairdrie Franchise Businessairdrie Franchise Opportunitiesairdrie Driving Schoolsairdrie Driving Lessonsairdrie Driving Testairdrie Driving Theory Testairdrie Driving Instruction, 0000 airdrie Driving Instructor, 0000 airdrie Insolvencyairdrie Insolvency Serviceairdrie Insolvency Servicesairdrie Liquidation Serviceairdrie Business Recoveryairdrie Insolvency Practitionerairdrie Bankruptcy Serviceairdrie Winding Up Petitionairdrie Business Financeairdrie Business Recoveryairdrie Voluntary Arrangementairdrie Individual Voluntary Arrangementairdrie IVAairdrie Debt Adviceairdrie Debt Managementairdrie Company Administrationairdrie Administrationairdrie Corporate Recoveryairdrie Corporate Voluntary Arrangementairdrie CVAairdrie Corporate Insolvencyairdrie Corporate Liquidationairdrie Members Voluntary Liquidationairdrie MVLairdrie Partnership Voluntary Arrangementairdrie PVAairdrie Tax Demandairdrie Invoice Financeairdrie Bridging Financeairdrie Vouchersairdrie Dealsairdrie Matalanairdrie Firewoodairdrie Fire Woodairdrie Kiln Dried Hardwoodairdrie Logs For Saleairdrie Log Suppliesairdrie Logsairdrie Firewood Logsairdrie Seasoned Logsairdrie Hardwood Logsairdrie Firewood Suppliersairdrie Firewood Log Suppliersairdrie Firewood Dumpy Bagsairdrie Firewood Cratesairdrie Cheap Firewoodairdrie Homefire Logsairdrie Cheap Firewood Logsairdrie Kindle Conesairdrie Pizza Oven Logsairdrie Heating Oilairdrie Home Heating Oilairdrie Red Dieselairdrie White Dieselairdrie Kereseneairdrie Commercial Fuelsairdrie Calor Gasairdrie Propane Gasairdrie Butane Gasairdrie Heating Gasairdrie Horse Trainingairdrie Horse Trainerairdrie Horse Whispererairdrie Equine Whispererairdrie Horse Whisperer Victoria Smithairdrie Rattan Garden Furnitureairdrie Rattan Furnitureairdrie Rattan Sofaairdrie Rattan Dining Setairdrie Rattan Directairdrie Cheap Rattan Furnitureairdrie Rattan Corner Sofasairdrie Rattan Day Bedsairdrie Rattan Sun Loungersairdrie Rattan Cube Setsairdrie Rattan Bistro Setsairdrie Chimeneasairdrie Firepitsairdrie Patio Heatersairdrie Card Payments Processingairdrie Credit Card Processingairdrie Merchant Servicesairdrie Merchant Accountairdrie Merchant Paymentsairdrie Card Machinesairdrie Card Terminalsairdrie Online Paymentsairdrie Worldpayairdrie Bouncy Castlesairdrie Bouncy Castle Hireairdrie Garden Trampolinesairdrie Pramsairdrie Pushchairsairdrie Strollersairdrie Hauck Pramsairdrie Huackairdrie Childrens Trampolinesairdrie Baby Mobilesairdrie Baby Activity Matsairdrie Baby Bedroom Furnitureairdrie Childrens Bedroom Furnitureairdrie Hygiene Vendingairdrie Washroom Vendingairdrie Air Freshenersairdrie Air Careairdrie Aerosol Systemsairdrie Gel Systemsairdrie Water Savingairdrie Urinal Water Savingairdrie Eco Capsairdrie Sensaflushairdrie Water Managementairdrie Urinal Dosingairdrie Urinal V Screensairdrie Legionella Risk Assessmentairdrie Legionaires Bacterialairdrie Odour Controlairdrie Odour Eliminationairdrie Odour Removalairdrie Airsterilairdrie Hand Careairdrie Hand Creamairdrie Hand Soapairdrie Hand Washingairdrie Hand Dryingairdrie Hand Dryersairdrie Electric Hand Dryersairdrie Fast Hand Dryersairdrie Commercial Hand Dryersairdrie Energy Efficient Hand Dryersairdrie Hand Dryer Rentalairdrie Hand Dryer Salesairdrie Paper Towelsairdrie Roller Towelsairdrie Cotton Roller Towelsairdrie Blue Roller Towelsairdrie White Roller Towelsairdrie Janitorial Suppliesairdrie Janitorialairdrie Cleaning Suppliesairdrie Cleaning Productsairdrie Cleaning Equipmentairdrie Office Cleaningairdrie Home Cleaningairdrie Debt Recovery Servicesairdrie Debt Recoveryairdrie Debt Collectionairdrie Outsource Credit Controlairdrie Collection Agencyairdrie Debt Collection Agencyairdrie Commercial Canopyairdrie Steel Canopyairdrie Bike Shedsairdrie Bike Storageairdrie Bicycle Storeairdrie Bicycle Storageairdrie Bikes Storeairdrie Bike Storeairdrie Outdoor Canopyairdrie Cycle Sheltersairdrie Cycle Shedairdrie Cycle Storageairdrie Cycle Rackairdrie Cycle Compoundairdrie Cycle Solutionsairdrie Scooter Storageairdrie Scooter Shelterairdrie Canopiesairdrie Canopyairdrie Play Area Canopyairdrie Entrance Canopiesairdrie Entrance Canopyairdrie Waiting Shelterairdrie Smoking Shelterairdrie Parent Waiting Shelterairdrie Parent Shelterairdrie Teen Shelterairdrie Nursery Canopyairdrie School Canopyairdrie Play Canopyairdrie Envirolawnairdrie Astroturfairdrie Cheap Astroturfairdrie Artificial Grassairdrie Cheap Artificial Grassairdrie Astro Turfairdrie Artificial Lawnairdrie Fake Grassairdrie Fake Lawnairdrie Fire Stove Glassairdrie Heat Resistant Glassairdrie Fire Glassairdrie Stove Glassairdrie Fire Resistant Glassairdrie Replacement Stove Glassairdrie Glass For Stovesairdrie Spill Kitsairdrie Spill Control Kitsairdrie Spill Kit Refillsairdrie Spill Kit Refill GK6airdrie Chemical Spill Kitsairdrie Oil Spill Kitsairdrie Solar Panelsairdrie Solar Panels Costairdrie Solar Heatingairdrie Solar PVairdrie Commercial Solarairdrie Photovoltaicairdrie Dust Matsairdrie Entrance Matsairdrie Reception Matsairdrie Anti Fatigue Matsairdrie Floor Matsairdrie Logo Matsairdrie Washroom Servicesairdrie Principal Washroomsairdrie Washrooms Suppliesairdrie Washrooms Solutionsairdrie Sanitary Disposalairdrie Sanitary Binsairdrie Sani Binsairdrie Lady Binsairdrie Feminine Hygiene Unitsairdrie Sanitary Waste Disposalairdrie Sanitary Wasteairdrie Sanitary Unitsairdrie Feminine Unitsairdrie Hygiene Servicesairdrie Sanitary Bin Supplierairdrie Sanitary Bin Rentalairdrie Sanitary Bin Rental Servicesairdrie General Wasteairdrie Trade Wasteairdrie Commercial Wasteairdrie Business Wasteairdrie Waste Managementairdrie Waste Collectionairdrie Cardboard Wasteairdrie Paper Wasteairdrie Plastic Wasteairdrie Glass Wasteairdrie Biomass Wasteairdrie Metal Wasteairdrie Confidential Wasteairdrie Confidential Waste Serviceairdrie On Site Shreddingairdrie Off Site Shreddingairdrie One Off Shreddingairdrie Contract Shreddingairdrie Dental Wasteairdrie Dental Waste Disposalairdrie Dental Waste Legislationairdrie Dental Waste Complianceairdrie Accupuncture Wasteairdrie Accupuncture Waste Disposalairdrie Accupuncture Waste Collectionairdrie Tattoo Wasteairdrie Tattoo Waste Disposalairdrie Sharps Binairdrie Sharps Collectionairdrie Hazardous Sharpsairdrie Non Hazardous Sharpsairdrie Cytotoxic Sharpsairdrie Cytostatic Sharpsairdrie Ink Blockairdrie Wet_Wasteairdrie Tattoo Inkairdrie Drug Destructionairdrie Drug Disposalairdrie Drug Denaturingairdrie Unwanted Drugsairdrie Out Of Date Drugsairdrie Pest Controlairdrie Rodent Controlairdrie Bird Controlairdrie Bird Proofingairdrie Guano Controlairdrie Pest Call Outairdrie Pest Preventionairdrie Pest Deterrentairdrie Nursery Wasteairdrie Nappy Wasteairdrie Nappy Binairdrie Nappy Disposalairdrie Nappy Wheelie Binairdrie Nursery Waste Disposalairdrie Nursery Waste Collectionairdrie Incontinence Padsairdrie Offensive Wasteairdrie Human Wasteairdrie Nursing Home Wasteairdrie Care Home Wasteairdrie Hazardous Wasteairdrie Infectous Wasteairdrie Pharmaceutical Wasteairdrie Medicinal Wasteairdrie Medicine Wasteairdrie Infection Controlairdrie Hand Sanitisersairdrie Clinical Waste Disposalairdrie Clinical Waste Managementairdrie Clinical Waste Policyairdrie EA Registrationairdrie Hammocksairdrie Garden Hammocksairdrie Adult Hammocksairdrie Childrens Hammocksairdrie Baby Hammocks