re: High Fidelity Reviews- Page 3

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 9:43am

I'm glad I'm not the only one (Brantley) that compared this to Weddding Singer.

[ruprecht]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 9:53am

It's stupid to now compare EVERYTHING to WS, how many times does that need to be pointed out? That being said, I'm going to agree with Munk, this musical was plain uninspired and I'm actually surprised the reviews weren't worse. I expected a good old fashioned bitch slap from just about everyone. And none of the reviewers were that blown away by the cast (which has been singled out by just about every poster, incl me, since the board started talking about it). Most got *faint* praise and the rest, esp the Jack Black character, were almost completely overlooked.

I don't think this show has even a slim chance of survival and I for one, mostly blame Bobbie. I've said it from day one, he had NO business directing a musical like this.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 10:01am

Well, no offense to the guy playing the Jack Black character but he was completely overshadowed by the mellow and sincere performance of Christian Anderson (who was given MUCH finer moments to play than caricaturing a two-bit film/music starlike Black).

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 10:21am

i shudder as I read that. Is it really 2006? Jack Black is star .

[ruprecht]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 10:23am

I couldn't agree with you more! And all I could think while watching him was how HARD he was working and that's never a good thing. I also thought Stern was giving a BAD impersonation of Brittney Murphy the whole show but Gawd forbid you didn't think she was "amazing". I'm surprised Brantley said anything about her, she's just the type of performer he usually despises or goes out of his way to overlook. I thought Will Chase did the best with what he had and that's about it.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 10:24am

Well, I did say Jack Black is a two-bit film star.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 2:42pm

I'm STILL baffled as to why the producer's thought the show would make money?

It has yet to make a single penny...

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 2:50pm

I am sick of Ben Brantley being so snarky and mean-spirited with his reviews.

[alliez92092]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 3:35pm

I love this show, but I knew it was going to happen. However, many regular people (off this board) have enjoyed the show. Is that enough to keep it going? No, probably not. But I have a feeling it will at least last the rest of the year, and hopefully into next year. I'm probably the only one that thinks that, but hey, whatever.

Oh, and does Ben Brantley ever write about any of the positive things? I don't think so.

[TxTwoStep]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 6:15pm

can't remember which Times critic raved over MAMMA MIA, but if it was Brantley, then he should at least be consistent. These characters certainly show more depth than those (i have nothing against a fun evening like MAMMA, but this show doesn't try to be much more than that). The movie changed things from the book, and the musical changed things from the movie. Shocking! that's never happened before, EVER. The show is bright, has some wit, gathers a strong group of performances, and was loved by the preview audience i saw it with. Sometimes Brantley can be really insightful, but when he decides to show off his own writing instead of actually covering the assignment, his stuff sounds like is should be in SPY or the LAMPOON. i also don't like the generalizations, like when B'way characters alter for movie versions, and vice-versa. They aren't constructive, and when stretched to make his own point without specifics, they are pretty unfair.

Go see this for yourself, don't just trust the buzz on it.

[Broadwayboy2631]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 6:31pm

"I have a feeling this is going to be the show's best review"
yea

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 7:06pm

We see it Sunday. Hope it lasts long enough for a cast album. I kinda figured the critics including the high & mighty Brantley would not like it. Everything worthy of Broadway, according to them, must be as boring as sin

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 7:14pm

"I love this show, but I knew it was going to happen. However, many regular people (off this board) have enjoyed the show. Is that enough to keep it going?"
Well, I love the show, and I'm usually an irritatingly elitist prick.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 7:16pm

Glad to hear you are an elitist prick

Glad to hear there is at least one on the board. Glad you enjoyed it

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 7:19pm

Well, Wedding Singer is kind of the gold standard for suckage, so I think it's fair to compare.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 7:24pm

From the peanut gallery, thought Wedding Singer much more entertaining that some other highly praised shows with a better pedigree

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 8:24pm

Does anyone else want to say Walter Bobbie's name like Sacha Baron Cohen says Ricky Bobby in Talladega Nights? Because I can't help myself.

[overthemoon419]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 10:34pm

Personally, I think Brantley is a pompous jackhole, regardless of his opinion. It's how he presents it that makes me want to hit him with my car.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 11:00pm

People only have a problem with Brantley if he hates the show they like.

Please.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 11:03pm

My only problem with Brantley is that sometimes I can't tell if he liked a show or not. That hasn't been the case lately, it seems like he's less afraid of stating his opinion now. I don't know, I thought he gave great reviews for Company and Grey Gardens. I'm starting to warm up to him.

[Heybeenfood]

Posted: 12/8/06 at 11:15pm

Broadwayboy2631, I can in fact predict the future.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 12:19am

"People only have a problem with Brantley if he hates the show they like.

Please."

I have a problem with Brantley because I feel the job of the critic is to help a reader understand why THEY would or wouldn't like a show. Brantley acts like the job of a critic is to help the reader understand why HE did or didn't like a show. It's a seemingly small distinction, but it honestly makes a world of difference. I have read Frank Rich's "Hot Seat" cover to cover, and I find him to be an incredible critic under these guidelines. Obviously, this is just my opinion, but I finally figured out how to articulate why I dislike Brantley.

[dapapabear2]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 12:29am

I saw it last Sunday and the audience was laughing through the whole thing. I enjoyed it very much but could see what the reviews would say. A man I spoke to the night before I saw it said it was "shallow but enjoyable". If it was Off-Broadway or at least in a smaller theater it could probably pull in enough people to keep it going, not sure at the Imperial though. Maybe there's enough people like me who couldn't care less what the reviews say who will go anyway. If I remember correctly many of the reviews of Drowsy Chaperone were pretty dismal (though not as bad as these), and it's doing quite well for itself isn't it?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 12:30am

Good point Infinite.
And it was Brantley who gave MAMMA MIA a rave.
Not that it would have mattered, that show was un reviewable.
Even Brantley blames his good review on 9/11.
Too bad We weren't bombed before HIGH FIDELITY opened.
Well in a way we were.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/9/06 at 12:44am

I understand your quibbles with the content and manner of Brantley's reviews, but I feel like he generally tells it like it is.