The Greatest Showman Review

PG: for thematic elements including a brawl

20th Century Fox, TSG Entertainment, Chernin Entertainment

Dir: Michael Gracey | Writers: Jenny Bicks, Bill Condon

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya

inspired by the imagination of P.T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman is an original musical that celebrates the birth of show business and tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.

THE GOOD

So this is a musical and doesn’t hide it. I’m surprised that this isn’t a Disney movie by the way it goes by its musical timing, but since this is a Fox movie, it is kind of now a Disney movie by default. This movie is a musical first than a musical with a story. I’ve never seen a story where it was a biopic but shaped like a musical before. For what its worth, it's visually mesmerizing as hell. The imagination that goes into each number is impressive where the choreography is amazing. Because of this movie knowing it wanted to be a musical experience it delivers on entertaining you with a wonderful soundtrack that intends for you to have a great time. The songs written by Pasek and Paul’s are fantastic, but now it really makes me curious how would they write music for a Disney movie if they ever had the chance because I want that now.

The entire cast pulls their weight by surprising (and reminding) us that all of their voices are superb. Nobody is pulling a Russell Crowe for everyone’s singing ability is in their prime. This is the first musical Zac Efron has been in since “High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” and his voice still is so heavenly. I just felt like a proud dad going, “MY BABY CAN SING,” whenever he had a number. Because of the music, this movie felt like a breeze which is both it's biggest strength and the weakness.

THE  BAD

As I said, the movie focuses on more on letting the music play opposed to telling a compelling story. I love the songs, but there isn’t enough complexity to develop any of the characters. Everyone’s one-dimensional character is the only glaring flaw of the film, and it continually asks you to give a shit about these characters where there isn’t much to them in the first place.

 The film asks you to care for the romance between Efron and Zendaya where its supposed to be one of the most emotional pieces of this story but it is rather forced than developed. Their relationship is pretty much essential musical romance formula: attraction, a song, then a kiss. But because this takes place during the 1830s where interracial relationships weren’t accepted, this had the opportunity to explore more into their relationship or better yet explain why they are attracted to each other. The relationship between P.T Barnum and his wife is the emotional core of the movie where it thoroughly succeeds on, but then Efron and Zendaya’s romance is rather just tacked on.

The story of P.T Barnum is complex if you read the true side of him, but this movie decides to just make him into a selfish man blinded by success in need to learn about FAMILY! I don’t have an issue with that because it's intended to be a family story, but you still could’ve dived a bit deeper oppose to have him practically be a somewhat asshole.

Something weird happened while watching “The Greatest Showman.” Every time I wrote a mark against it for its one-dimensional characters and rather unlikeliness of P.T Barnum, the film personified itself, sat next to me, and said, 

“Honey shush. We know you’re a little bitch for musical movies.”

“Yeah but—“

“Shush. You came here to have a good time. And that is what we’re going to do. We’re going to have a good time.”

“I’m trying to have a good time but can you add a little complexity to your story instead of breezing through key points of this man’s life as if they meant nothing. I can’t really dig this film that much unless you do so.”

“Oh yeah. If you can’t dig the movie, then why are your feet tapping and your head bopping?”

“Because I’m a bitch for musicals.”

“Exactly. BYEEEEE!”

Turn off your brain and enjoy the show.

LAST STATEMENT

Every year or so there's always that one movie that I call cookie cutter cheese and for me that is “The Greatest Showman.” You may go in rolling your eyes but leaving with a song to sing. Plus I love cookies and cheese it got to me.

Rating: 3/5 | 65%

Super Scene: “This is Me”