#1
Posted: 1/3/06 at 7:53pm
Yes, I saw THE PRODUCERS before RENT. But, hey, I do like TP.
I went not expecting anything. However, if you enjoyed the show, you most likely enjoyed the movie. Why? Because they are virtually the same thing - right down to costumes, script, and choreography (well, almost the whole choreography).
I do, in fact, happen to love this sho. Is it overrated? Yes. But I still find it highly enjoyable, highly comedic, and highly well-done. Nevertheless, I was expecting for at least something new. I was practically mouthing the lines with the actors (though not as well). I was hoping for some changes in direction and some changes in the script. But, I guess, if you have a good thing = keep it. For those who never saw the show, it is definitely worthwhile to see the movie. For one tenth the price and minus three songs, the movie is virtually the stage show on tape.
Nevertheless, Stroman's use of the same, well, everything, gave greater insight into her idea of staging the show. Perhaps certain things she did in the movie show the audience how she meant them in the show. Nothing profound, of course, but it was still fun.
It was also nice to see two Bialystocks - actually three - in the movie, with the exception of Lane (Richard Kind (who I saw), John Tracey Egan, and Brad Oscar as the taxi driver (also saw him). It was also nice to see so many Broadway cameos.
Now, I saw the original cast on Broadway. Like RENT fans, it was nice to get most of them back....Nathan Lane gave a great performance in the movie. Naturally, of course. Between channeling Zero and channeling his stage self - he gave a hilarious performance that was worth the price of admission alone.
I remember Matthew Broderick to be...how to say...better on stage. He just seemed out of it. For most of the movie. Only occasionally did he show a sign of "caring." Yet in the show, he was funny. Fortunately for him, or unfortunately for us, Uma Thurman was completely miscast. I wasn't expecting much of a voice - but she wasn't great with the "look" either. She was fine - when she wasn't singing. But of all the actors in Hollywood, I think they could have found someone better.
Gary Beach and Roger Bart were just as good as they were when I last saw them on Broadway - about 3 years ago. There's nothing bad to be sad about their chemistry together and with the others. It was great getting to see them - and hopefully Beach gets some heavy recognition for his talent.
Lastly, Will Farrell. Pure genious. He did his thing, but it wasn't overbearing. He stole the scenes when he was on screen, but he didn't steal the movie. And that's what Franz should do. My parents, who hate Will's work, actually found him hilarious. I was surprised. And his voice isn't as strong as Brad Oscar's, but coupled with his acting, he gets by just fine. And the finel "The Hop Clop Goes On" is worth hearing. It was also great to see Mel Brooks at the end of the movie.
This movie is exactly what it should be, nothing more. It's a duplicate - not an exact duplicate - of the stage show. After the stage show closes, we'll have this movie to remind us of the hilarity and comic genious of Mel Brooks' THE PRODUCERS: THE MUSICAL.
I went not expecting anything. However, if you enjoyed the show, you most likely enjoyed the movie. Why? Because they are virtually the same thing - right down to costumes, script, and choreography (well, almost the whole choreography).
I do, in fact, happen to love this sho. Is it overrated? Yes. But I still find it highly enjoyable, highly comedic, and highly well-done. Nevertheless, I was expecting for at least something new. I was practically mouthing the lines with the actors (though not as well). I was hoping for some changes in direction and some changes in the script. But, I guess, if you have a good thing = keep it. For those who never saw the show, it is definitely worthwhile to see the movie. For one tenth the price and minus three songs, the movie is virtually the stage show on tape.
Nevertheless, Stroman's use of the same, well, everything, gave greater insight into her idea of staging the show. Perhaps certain things she did in the movie show the audience how she meant them in the show. Nothing profound, of course, but it was still fun.
It was also nice to see two Bialystocks - actually three - in the movie, with the exception of Lane (Richard Kind (who I saw), John Tracey Egan, and Brad Oscar as the taxi driver (also saw him). It was also nice to see so many Broadway cameos.
Now, I saw the original cast on Broadway. Like RENT fans, it was nice to get most of them back....Nathan Lane gave a great performance in the movie. Naturally, of course. Between channeling Zero and channeling his stage self - he gave a hilarious performance that was worth the price of admission alone.
I remember Matthew Broderick to be...how to say...better on stage. He just seemed out of it. For most of the movie. Only occasionally did he show a sign of "caring." Yet in the show, he was funny. Fortunately for him, or unfortunately for us, Uma Thurman was completely miscast. I wasn't expecting much of a voice - but she wasn't great with the "look" either. She was fine - when she wasn't singing. But of all the actors in Hollywood, I think they could have found someone better.
Gary Beach and Roger Bart were just as good as they were when I last saw them on Broadway - about 3 years ago. There's nothing bad to be sad about their chemistry together and with the others. It was great getting to see them - and hopefully Beach gets some heavy recognition for his talent.
Lastly, Will Farrell. Pure genious. He did his thing, but it wasn't overbearing. He stole the scenes when he was on screen, but he didn't steal the movie. And that's what Franz should do. My parents, who hate Will's work, actually found him hilarious. I was surprised. And his voice isn't as strong as Brad Oscar's, but coupled with his acting, he gets by just fine. And the finel "The Hop Clop Goes On" is worth hearing. It was also great to see Mel Brooks at the end of the movie.
This movie is exactly what it should be, nothing more. It's a duplicate - not an exact duplicate - of the stage show. After the stage show closes, we'll have this movie to remind us of the hilarity and comic genious of Mel Brooks' THE PRODUCERS: THE MUSICAL.
Updated On: 1/3/06 at 07:53 PM
