THE GREATEST SHOWMAN : Fan Reactions/Reviews

[jo]

Hugh has been promoted -- no longer to represent Australia

[jo]

A song from the soundtrack inspires a spontaneous reaction

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[jo]

In its occasionally patronizing manner, there is a new NYTimes article which wonders ahout the success of THE GREATEST SHOWMAN. The writer still maintains that their critical review (Negative!) is reflective of what the movie brings. But maybe they do have some doubts now as the "venerable" paper condescends to invite readers to express their own sentiments about the movie --

www.nytimes.com/2018/02/09/movies/why-do-you-love-the-greatest-showman.html

When there is joy and appreciation among so many - across ages, genders, and borders - why question when something is loved! Maybe if they see the show with an open mind (forgetting preconceived notions about the purpose of cinema), they just may discover the secret?

Btw, if you want to chime in ( so far around 50 have responded) -- you only have 1500 words to sing the praise of our Hugh

Jo

[jo]

[jo]

Surprise, surprise

I wonder how many fanboys "forgave" Hugh after they saw and were delighted by THE GREATEST SHOWMAN

[jo]

A blogger sings the praises of THE GREATEST SHOWMAN --


www.botinagy.com/blog/yeah-i-know-im-late--movie-review/

Yeah, I know I'm late - Movie Review



YES, I realise I’m late to the party but if you, like me, haven’t yet discovered what a lot of the free world has known since December, it’s time to hit the cinema before it’s too late and take in “The Greatest Showman.”'

No, no, don’t go saying “I don’t like musicals” with a sweep of your hand and summarily dismiss it as another of those pictures where key characters break into song and it’s so “unrealistic.”

Yeah. As if “Jumanji” or “Star Wars – The Last Jedi” or “Paddington 2” are realistic!
Come on now. Suspend reality and embrace the fun ride this movie is.


If you’re debating nicking to the flicks for some entertaining (high) kicks, start at “The Greatest Showman” and sit back for a couple of hours of pure enjoyment.

When Hugh Jackman as the ultimate showman PT Barnum isn’t dazzling you with his versatile song-and-dance talents, there’s Keala Settle threatening to steal the film with the soul-stirring "This Is Me", time standing still for Zac Ephron’s character as he falls for (spoiler alert) Zendaya, and just so much more.


I know critics have been uptight about the story’s inaccuracies but if it was a documentary, would we even be talking about it?

So OK. I confess. I’ve been a lover of musicals since I saw “South Pacific” as an infant. The first time I heard Bloody Mary singing "Bali Hai", my little mind was blown. It was one enchanted evening.

Too young to understand, I missed the messages of racism and intolerance until I grew older, which then only served to make the experience even more rewarding.

There they were again in “The King and I” as well, and while songs such as "Getting to Know You", and "Shall We Dance?" lived on past the final credits, so did the message this time.


And there they are again in “The Greatest Showman” underpinning some of the richest music you can ever want to hear. Jackman’s scene with Ephron in a bar as he tries to lure him to the circus (above) flooded back the delights of Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor partnering up in “Singin’ In The Rain.”

The songs really make this work and how smart were the movie’s producers to release the soundtrack album on December 8 before the movie opened on December 20?

It shot to No.1 in the US, Australia, the UK and there’s a reason for that.

Go ahead.

Take a chance if you’re “not into musicals” or just hurry up and get off that couch if you are.
It won’t be playing forever, even if the songs are etched in my mind and heart now for the duration.


PS
I'd probably draw the line at attending those special screenings where moviegoers can sing along.

Or not.

[jo]

Three-generation fans!

[jo]

A return tweet to NYTimes (re What's great about The Greatest Showman?) --

LOL- I was also tempted to write " Do You Hear the People Sing?"

[jo]

Marc Fennell
‏Verified account
@marcfennell
55m

Marc Fennell Retweeted The New York Times

Gawd, NYT can’t cope with the fact that the public like something they didn’t. It’s not rocket science, the music is catchy & Jackman is the 8th wonder of the world.
Marc Fennell added,

The New York Times
Verified account
@nytimes
We may not be impressed with “The Greatest Showman” but many of you are. What's so great about it? nyti.ms/2C8X7nu



Dilo on Fire‏
@firedilo

Replying to @marcfennell
What a pissy attitude. Oowa The Greatest Showman is crap because we say so but most of the public are too stupid to agree with us waah waah. Pathetic!

[jo]

[jo]

Why is the NYTimes so keen to get public reactions to the movie?

*First, there was an article on the paper itself which invited public response ( close to 300 the last time I checked).

*Then they released a twitter message, also asking for public opinion --

The Greatest Showman is not even the biggest movie hit around but there seems to be some form of intellectual curiousity on the very divergent reactions to the movie, by the critics and by the movie audiences.

Is the NYTimes wanting to look further into this cultural phenomenon? Maybe an insightful article in the future?

Maybe as some sort of fact-checking... maybe even rethink how their critics and film editors should view a movie?

Or maybe, because the movie was wildly popular with audiences, they are hoping to increase their subscription list

Just wondering why there is so much attention to a movie that they, as an institution, did not even find meritorious!


Jo

[jo]

[jo]

A soothing hug!

My favorite ever that Hugh ever sang was a brief reprise of from the SOLILOQUY from CAROUSEL when he sang that part about the prospect of having a daughter. Can't remember from which version that he has done. He sang it at the Carnegie Hall concert, at his Back on Broadway show, at some other occasions...or was it at the first Actors Studio appearance where he sang the first phrases to the students --

My little girl
Pink and white
As peaches and cream is she...



where I found what I thought was his best version, but you can almost get lost in the dreamy and tender quality of his voice.

It wasn't how he responded to Laura ( X-23) though - LOL!


Jo

[jo]

Pantomime --

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Dancing to THIS IS ME --

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Never...never...never enough

[jo]

The songs from THE GREATEST SHOWMAN are already becoming part of professional singers's repertoires!

http://instagram.com/p/BfF4rSnHoLE

[jo]

What a great way to spend time together as a group.

[jo]

The artistic rendering does not depict the faces of the actors with any similarity...but no one can ever mistake that that pose is not Hugh Jackman as The Greatest Showman! I think he took a copyright on it

[jo]

[jo]

People are singing again, with real music

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AMPAS -- hear! hear!