Swing Joined: 12/10/17
pdjennings said: "Attended a press screening of the film this morning ... IT. IS. AMAZING. It's puzzling that Fox isn't pushing this for awards consideration ... because it's breathtaking. By the end of the first real number (A Million Dreams) ... we were already bawling. Never really stopped.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if they make this into a stage show in the future."
I know it's had some negative feedback though most official reviews have an embargo on them. I haven't seen it myself but my guess is that the musical numbers are good but the actual storyline is lacking - a lot of flash and no substance? Though I think movie snobs want to go in hating it. I'm hoping it at least gets some Globe nominations.
How was Zendaya? This is really her first adult/mature movie role. I can't wait to see her number with Zac Efron "Rewrite the Stars".
Swing Joined: 12/31/69
this all looks and sounds phenomenal . can't wait.
I’m in love with the soundtrack. It is just so thrilling and I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for the 20th to get here! Keala sounds amazing and I love all the exposure she’s getting. As well as Zendaya. This could easily be turned into a breathtaking stage show. One that I would be more than stoked to buy a ticket for.
Going to give it a second listen with headphones on.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Congratulations to THE GREATEST SHOWMAN Golden Globe Nominations --
*Best Picture -- Musical/Comedy
*Best Actor in Musical/Comedy -- Hugh Jackman
*Best Original Song - This is Me ( Pasek & Paul)
Also to Michelle Williams -- Best Actress in Drama ( All the Money in the World).
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/04
The comedy/musical category is pretty competitive, but I'm hoping THE GREATEST SHOWMAN goes on to win in all its nominated categories.
I cannot imagine it winning any of those three categories, unless it pulls off the feat of being substantially better than films like Lady Bird or Get Out.
For me, something just seems off about Greatest Showman. And the fact it is directed by a first-time motion picture director makes me very, very wary.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
pdjennings said: "Attended a press screening of the film this morning ... IT. IS. AMAZING. It's puzzling that Fox isn't pushing this for awards consideration ... because it's breathtaking. By the end of the first real number (A Million Dreams) ... we were already bawling. Never really stopped.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if they make this into a stage show in the future."
Glad you shared your impressions - now validated by those 3 nods from the Golden Globes!
I saw GREATEST SHOWMAN over the weekend. I had not heard the score except for the couple of numbers. I may not be as enthusiastic as pdjennings, but I very much enjoyed the film. It is obvious going in that the film is geared to the audience who likes MOULIN ROUGE and music videos and more than the musical theatre/classic movie musical audience. So I approached if from that perspective rather than criticizing it for not being "my kind of movie musical". There are some terrific numbers. It has an engaging cast and a good message. It's creatively done. But it's not always subtle,and sometimes it feels like they are pushing a little too hard. Even still, I am glad to see studios making these kinds of films. And I hope it finds a good audience.
Updated On: 12/11/17 at 10:23 PMBroadway Legend Joined: 7/20/03
Validated by the Golden Globes? Thanks for the humor. Clearly you don't know how the Golden Globes works. Nothing is validated by the Golden Globes. If The Greatest Showman spends more money and has better swag than anyone else, perhaps it will win - because that's the deal and that's what it takes.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Per Wikipedia --
"At the 74th Golden Globe Awards, La La Land received a leading seven nominations.[94] The film won in all seven categories for which it was nominated, setting a historic record for the most Golden Globes won by a single film, namely Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Director, Best Actor – Comedy or Musical for Gosling, Best Actress – Comedy or Musical for Stone, Best Screenplay, Best Original Score and Best Original Song ("City of Stars"
At the 89th Academy Awards, La La Land received a leading six awards, including Best Director, Best Actress (for Stone), Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Original Song ("City of Stars" and Best Production Design.[90] The film received a total of 14 nominations, tying records for most nominations by a single film with All About Eve (1950) and Titanic (1997). Its other nominations included Best Picture, Best Actor (for Gosling), Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Costume Design, a second nomination for Best Original Song ("Audition"
, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing.
The first two songs released have that "behind the closing credits" sound and feel. They lack immediacy of performance. That pop "remove" thing just makes it a wash. of generic, if professional, sound-track-y idol-y stuff. Too bad. "Evan Hansen" and "La La" have distinctions. This feels calculated, and in both case, way over-produced.
I love this score, but it's so short. "A Million Dreams" is gorgeous. I wish Ziv Zaifman was used in the film. His voice is beautiful. I'm guessing he is the singing/dubbed voice for young Barnum.
The review embargo doesn't lift until opening day, which does not bode well for the quality of the film.
thirtythirtyninety said: "The review embargo doesn't lift until opening day, which does not bode well for the quality of the film."
That literally means nothing. Star Wars: The Last Jedi was embargoed until today and it has 95% on Rotten Tomatoes. I think The Greatest Showman will land in the upper 70s to mid 80s.
Star Wars reviews started being posted two days ago.
A review embargo until opening day is usually a bad sign.
IMHO if the soundtrack is any indicator, it's a bad sign here.
Listening to the soundtrack - it seems clear to me the team is really trying to create a fine balance between accessible pop music and music that truly reflects the characters/story. I’m enjoying it more than La La Land (which I found to be very overrated in the score department and has almost no listening value to me), and I’m finding it catchy/very easy to listen to. Still. I can’t help but wonder if they have pandered too much to the studio execs who want to make a dollar.
Leading Actor Joined: 1/23/12
I've got a purely theoretical question: In the song "The Greatest Show" as released on the soundtrack, does anybody know where the 'break point' would be if it had been split up the way it is in the film itself (as both the opening and closing musical numbers)?
Understudy Joined: 8/20/07
Does it bother anyone else that the soundtrack doesn't more closely reflect the film? Part of "A Million Dreams" has been cut, the "From Now On" reprise isn't included, and "The Greatest Show" isn't split (with the softer ending cut). I love listening to the album, but it feels unfinished when it ends. I would love a deluxe edition with the missing music and score, like the deluxe Les Mis soundtrack that was released later on.
anyone else stunned the soundtrack will be the number one album in america?? didn’t see that happening
https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8092525/the-greatest-showman-soundtrack-no-1-billboard-200
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
Stunned but very pleased!
https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8092525/the-greatest-showman-soundtrack-no-1-billboard-200
Congrats to Pasek &Paul and all involved in the soundtrack album!
Featured Actor Joined: 1/26/08
jo said: "Stunned but very pleased!
https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8092525/the-greatest-showman-soundtrack-no-1-billboard-200
Congrats to Pasek &Paul and all involved in the soundtrack album!"
Very surprised, too! When I saw this, I figured it was number 1 on soundtrack not #1 billboard top 200. It really is a fantastic soundtrack and the entire cast can sing. That's something we've yet to have is a musical movie where EVERYONE in the cast can actually carry a note. Yes, auto-tuned but they still can carry a note.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/28/13
gypsy101 said: "anyone else stunned the soundtrack will be the number one album in america?? didn’t see that happening
https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8092525/the-greatest-showman-soundtrack-no-1-billboard-200"
Only the fools on here who ripped the score to shreds are "stunned" by this. LOL. Eat that crow, my friends.
smallvillefan16 said: "jo said: "Stunned but very pleased!
https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8092525/the-greatest-showman-soundtrack-no-1-billboard-200
Congrats to Pasek &Paul and all involved in the soundtrack album!"
Very surprised, too! When I saw this, I figured it was number 1 on soundtrack not #1 billboard top 200. It really is a fantastic soundtrack and the entire cast can sing. That's something we've yet to have is a musical movie where EVERYONE in the cast can actually carry a note. Yes, auto-tuned but they still can carry a note."
Wlell this is technically not true. One of the biggest songs in the film is dubbed.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
The popularity of the musical score makes it even more possible for this movie musical to be adapted for the stage! Both Jackman and director Gracey have talked about the possibility but with the major improvement in box office trends and the soundtrack album topping the all-albums chart, the chances have become more enhanced. It will be interesting to see how a stage adaptation might look and sound like.
Updated On: 1/4/18 at 08:56 PMVideos