Ranking the reception of movie musical adaptations (2002-Present) — Page 2

I kind of agree with the rankings for the most part. I might switch the order of "Hairspray" and "Chicago" but not a big deal. I would have "Les Miserables" lower because Russell Crowe just ruined it for me. Not only his singing voice but his acting was just "flat". I like "Rent" more than critics because I liked having the some of the OBC in the movie. They may have seen too old in movie but at least they could sing their parts not like some of the people in other musicals. I would have also placed "The Producers" closer to the bottom of the rankings. The movie could not capture the stage chemistry of Lane and Broderick

I can't rank them all because I haven't seen them all. However, I disagree with several rankings for those I did see.

I would rank Sweeney Todd close to the bottom. The atmosphere was great, as was most of the acting. I didn't mind that the singing was subpar. However, I didn't like the fact that so many songs got chopped and I thought SBC was a disaster. The attempt to introduce humor via his character and the gratuitous amount of gushing blood when his throat was cut annoyed me. Also, when Sweeney Todd pushed Mrs. Whats-her-name into the oven, the screaming and the realism of film were disturbing -- Sweeney Todd is essentially a fairy tale, where we all tend to ignore the level of violence. This film wouldn't let us do that.

Les Miz was WONDERFUL, with three exceptions: SBC was, once more, a disaster. At least he was clowning as a character that is meant to be humorous. The Thenardiers are supposed to have a love-hate relationship, but his kiss-throwing implied otherwise. Second, the live singing, in my view, was a failure; even Colm Wilkinson sounded wobbly. Third, Russell Crowe was a disaster even more than SBC -- he couldn't sing AT ALL, and his acting was wooden. OTOH, the order of the songs made more sense than in the stage version, and the addition of "Suddenly" tied up a major loose end -- in the stage version, we never find out whether JVJ is just performing a duty or really loves Cosette as if she were his birth child.

Chicago was really well done. I thought Hairspray and Mamma Mia were ok, but not memorable. The Producers annoyed me because the dance number with the walkers came off flat, and because walkers weren't invented till way after the 1950's.

Leaving POTO for last, I admit it had some weaknesses, including Gerard Butler's singing. However, I think his acting put him in the top tier of Phantom performances. The film made too much of a caricature of Carlotta, and I'm not sure that putting her into a love affair with Piangi made a lot of sense. Also, there was no need for the Phantom to have grown up in the opera house -- Madame Giry could have rescued him, and he could have returned later from his travels. He could not reasonably have learned everything that he did cloistered in the fifth cellar. On the other hand, I like the softening of Mme. Giry and the fact that she and Christine had a relationship. I liked seeing more of the backstage goings on than in the Broadway/West End/early touring versions. I also think that moving the chandelier crash to the end and adding a fire improved the arc of the story, as did adding a few nods to Gaston Leroux. Finally, the red rose and ring on the gravestone were a brilliant addition. Finally, I don't think I've EVER seen a more erotic scene in a movie than the film's version of MOTN.

Audrey

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Sorry, SBC is Sasha Baron Cohen. HBC is Helena Bonham Carter.

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Though not great, I would rank Annie a little higher, probably above Rent and The Producers, which I felt more offensive. I think Into The Woods belongs in the conversation of the very best, right up there with Chicago. My tops would be:

Chicago
Into the Woods
Hairspray
Dreamgirls
Les Miserables

After that, there is a huge drop-off to the rest, none of which I would choose to re-watch. I haven't see Jersey Boys, so I have no opinion on that one.

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"
Sweeney Todd is essentially a fairy tale, where we all tend to ignore the level of violence.

Is that really true?"

Not at all. Sweeney Todd is supposed to be scary. It sounds like the intended outcome has only been achieved with the movie for this person.

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Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Baffling.

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INTO THE WOODS
DREAMGIRLS
MAMMA MIA
HAIRSPRAY
CHICAGO
PHANTOM
LES MIZ

The Worst
NINE
PRODUCERS

I thought Chicago missed the mark, really didn't love that film. They took away most of the black humor

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The film made too much of a caricature of Carlotta, and I'm not sure that putting her into a love affair with Piangi made a lot of sense.

It's funny you say that, as I always felt both elements were part and parcel of the actual musical (i.e., that she is somewhat of a caricature, and that a romantic relationship with Piangi is, albeit perhaps more subtly, implied).

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