THE MUSICAL IS BACK- OSCARS PERFORMANCE- Page 3

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 2:00am

That was disgusting. Absolutely terrible.

Hugh's opening number was very charming, though, I thought. Fun concept.

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 2:50am

i can appreciate their attempt to celebrate musicals... but i don't appreciate their HORRIBLE attempt at executing it... my friend barely recognized some of the songs because they sounded bad

[bwaybabe2]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 3:40am

I have mixed emotions about the total impression here...but it made me extremelly happy to hear that phrase: "The musical is back!". I have been saying that for the last year, over and over

[canmark]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 6:53am

The idea was OK, but the execution was horrible. If that was on Broadway it would close in previews.

I mean who thought,"We'll have Hugh Jackman sing "You're the one that I want" with a lip-synching Beyonce while wearing a tux, then bring in the kids from "High School Musical" and the young couple from "Mamma Mia." Yeah, that'll work."

[Testing1232]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 6:54am

It was beyond bad--- Just one hot mess !!!!

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 7:34am

What a mess!

[alterego]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 7:46am

Of course it was a mess, Baz Luhrman devised it. Who knew that Beyonce' had such thunder thighs?

[Marianne2]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 8:22am

I'm glad I'm not the only person who thought it wasn't well executed. I think taking only one or two lines from the songs is what killed it. Actually, if they had better transitions, that probably would have been fine. And yes, Beyonce did not look good at all.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 8:24am

I enjoyed it :/

[Out In The Sticks]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 8:45am

Not seen it yet, watching it tonight but March Shaimans Facebook status makes it clear he wants people to know that he had nothing to do with it.

[madbrian]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 8:56am

I think they get an 'A' for effort, but after the terrific opening number, I would have MUCH preferred to hear Jackman and Hathaway sing a medley of duets.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 9:11am

I liked the choreography....or to be more precise the overall LOOK of the choreography. I thought the medley istself was HORRID.

I don't CARE that they brought out the "kids" but if you are going to, it had better be for a better reason than a 10 second close up.

And there was NO WAY this was a shout out to B'way, but to Musical Films. Who would have thought that the MOVIE musical would have made a comeback? Certainly, not me.

The only part of the Awards I liked was the way they talked TO the acting nominees....that seemed so touching for them individually..made it so much more personal. Anne Hathaway was truly touched.

[JP2]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 9:20am

Man. So many sticks up so many asses!

[shpants]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 10:03am

I thought it was cute, although I would of MUCH preferred watching Jackman and Hathaway singing, instead of all the bells and whistles.

As soon as it started I could tell that Baz Lurhman was somehow involved.....it was very typical.

But the sentiment was there, and it was fun and it's nice to have something different at the Oscars instead of the usual, "let's recap the nominees for best picture for the thousandth time."

(PS- Beyonce lip synching was terrible. Couldn't she hold her own? I'm not sure if she was the only one, or if they all were, but she was the only one that you could plainly tell. Terrible.)

[TheCharleston]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 10:07am

For those who thought this was "good", you should be ashamed. Such a horrible disgrace.

I see it more as a SLAP IN THE FACE rather than a tribute. Gross.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 10:17am

While glad to see a nod to the musical, that HOT MESS of a number will convert no one. As previous posters mentioned, they were all singing over each other. The camera did not know where or who to focus on and the arrangements were tragic.

When they panned to Baz after the performance, he did an eye gesture denoting that even he thought it tanked.

It was bad and nothing like the amazing medley number in Moulin Rouge.

I, for one, however, give Beyone props for shaking her junk loud and proud. You go girl! Shake what the Lord gave ya with pride! She is gorgeous and sounds like a dream.

It is too bad that the best song numbers got cut down. Those could have been great production numbers.

[Eris0303]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 12:01pm

"The only part of the Awards I liked was the way they talked TO the acting nominees....that seemed so touching for them individually..made it so much more personal. Anne Hathaway was truly touched."

I loved that and I hope it becomes a tradition. After Shirley MacLaine was done I turned to my mom and said "If I were Anne Hathaway I wouldn't care if I won. That was winning enough."

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 12:11pm

I agree, the moment between Anne and Shirley was awesome. Of course, the strong-willed diva Shirley spoke from the heart and went off of script. Anne said in the Barbara Walters inteverview that she wasnt planning on winning, so I am sure she had a great night.

I think the former winners speaking to the nominees was great when they came across as authentic. Most of them seemed like they were reading though which ruined the moment.

[chris d]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 12:24pm

"As soon as it started I could tell that Baz Lurhman was somehow involved.....it was very typical."

I felt the same way.. plus the inclusion of Moulin Rouge! (the worst movie musical ever made).

[Ryan4]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 12:58pm

This number might've single-handedly killed the movie musical.

[CurtisTaylorJr2]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 1:07pm

I've seen much more terribly put together musical numbers, this was put together very good. I'm not sure what some people wanted, at least they paid homage to the musical, it's better than nothing at all.

[Ryan4]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 1:10pm

It wasn't the worst thing ever but it was pretty cliche...epitomized everything people find trite and silly about musicals. Love me some Beyonce, though.

[Justin_Hall]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 3:16pm

Beyonce was the only redeeming factor in that number.

If I hadn't already known that zac efron was a mannequin, this would have proved it.

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 3:34pm

It was ludicrously bad. What a load of embarrassing rubbish!

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 2/23/09 at 3:41pm

Here is a snarky quote from a Best / Worst list on Moviefone:

WORST: Musical Theater

Jackman proclaimed, "The musical is back!" Sorry, dude, but not even Beyonce in a tight red spangly frock and the 'High School Musical' kids could save the Up With People-ish salute to musicals. It was a good reminder of why we don't watch the Tonys, though.

I personally liked the concept of the movie musical medley, but wasn't big on its execution. The musical construction of the medley seemed sloppy and thrown together. The various song excerpts never really seemed to fit right or transition seamlessly from one to another.

With that said, I do think the dig at the Tony's was a little harsh and off-putting. Why must we insult the Tony's because of something sloppy done at the Academy Awards?
http://movies.aol.com/oscars-academy-awards/photos/best-worst-moments