Film: The Greatest Showman

GENRE: Musical, Drama

RATING: PG for thematic elements
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 14 minutes

STARRING: Hugh Jackman (Les Miserables, Logan, X-Men)

Zac Efron (High School Musical), Zendaya (Spiderman: Homecoming)

DIRECTOR: Michael Gracey (newcomer)

WRITERS: Jenny Bicks (Rio 2) & Bill Condon (Chicago, Dreamgirls)

PLOT: PT Barnum tries to rise above his station by creating a spectacle that becomes the modern circus.

FULL DISCLOSURE: My expectations were low, surprisingly.

STORY STUFF: I blame Rotten Tomatoes for lowering my expectations. On paper, the movie sounded great but it only got a 55%. But it seems the critics were more annoyed with the fact that the story didn’t stick to the real-life story of PT Barnum. But I think they’re forgetting that this is a musical and not a strict biography. Suspend the disbelief, have some fun. I thought the story was well told and well-paced for the most part.

ACTING STUFF: Jackman is fantastic. Of course, whenever he’s sad, I’m thinking about Jean Valjean but still. He is electric, as is Efron. The two kids are simply adorable. The only person who seems completely out of place is Michelle Williams (Dawson’s Creek, Manchester by the Sea) as Barnum’s wife. While the character is supportive, I just don’t think Williams is really selling it. I also doubt that it’s her singing. A lot of other actresses could have rocked that role.

ARTISTIC STUFF: The spectacle, costumes and art direction are outstanding. But, of course, the real draw is the songs and choreography. The barroom choreo during the Jackman and Efron duet “The Other Side” is a treat. I want to watch that again, especially for the quick bartender. I don’t know why I didn’t think the songs would be catchy. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul not only did La La Land (which I know is not for everyone) but they also did the songs for my current musical obsession: Dear Evan Hansen. Almost every song in this musical is beautifully written with a perfect mix of foot stomping and sweet harmony. I still have the “Rewrite the Stars” song in my head. Think I’ll have to buy the soundtrack.

VERDICT: Four stars out of five

SEE IT IF: You love musicals (or the circus)

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Phantom Thread