|
SYNOPSIS:
With showstopping performances by a star-studded cast, Dreamgirls
soars with the amazing story of three female singers who learn
that anything is possible when you hold on to your dreams.
MOVIE
REVIEW
Dazzling lights, astounding choreography, big musical numbers
– that’s what this movie is all about, and that’s
what movies should be all about.
In a brilliant
showbiz move, the filmmakers got American R & B singer
Beyonce Knowles American Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson together
for what this reviewer thinks is a spectacular showdown of
mind-blowing vocals and earth-shattering hollering.
Together
with Jamie “Ray Charles” Foxx, Eddie “Donkey”
Murphy and a wonderful cast of black actors, Knowles and Hudson
star in this drama based on the 1981 Broadway musical of the
same name. It tells the story of how three girls aspire to
become pop stars in a time of fame, greed and romance.
Be enthralled
by the stars’ powerful voices during the movie’s
130-minute runtime. Everyone sings, everyone dances, everyone
looks like he or she is having a hell of a time shooting this
lavishly-filmed picture. There are authentic production sets
and pretty costumes and hairstyles to ogle at. Everything
in this movie is eye-catching, bright and colorful.
And who
can miss Hudson’s rendition of “And I’m
Telling You I’m Not Going”? At the end of the
five-minute sequence, this reviewer was left stunned and shocked
at what he has just seen, and heard, for that matter. This
is probably what made the Oscar jury award the first-time
actress with the “Best Supporting Actress” statuette
at this year’s Academy Awards.
It may
look like Knowles has been left out in the cold, but seeing
her strut her stuff, posing for a alluringly glittery montage
of posh designer outfits, one cannot help feel that this is
a personal showcase of the singer-actress’ tempting
curves. She also gets to belt out the four-minute “Listen”
in a heart-rending sequence which made this reviewer sit up
in awe. Together with two other numbers (“Patience”
and “Love You I Do”), this potent song made this
Bill Condon-directed movie the first live-action movie in
history to score three “Original Song” nominations
at the Oscars.
Alas,
none of the breathtaking songs went home with an award that
night.
Alas again,
because this entertaining movie was also shut out at the “Best
Picture” and “Best Director” categories
despite its total of eight nominations. Other than Hudson’s
award, the other award it won was for “Best Sound Mixing”.
But
as the movie tagline says: “All you have to do is dream”,
anything is possible with the power of dreams. With these
Dreamgirls, movie magic never felt so fantastically spectacular.
SPECIAL FEATURES :
This Code 3 DVD contains 12 extended song numbers
with a total runtime of 37 minutes, including “Effie,
Sing My Song” which features a Hudson performance not
seen in cinemas. You also get Knowles looking very aggravated
in the “Listen” music video. For those who crave
for more of the movie magic, there is a two-disc special edition
out there for your keeps.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
The disc’s visual transfer makes this reviewer want
to sing and dance on the brightly-lit stage with the Dreamgirls,
while the Dolby Digital English audio track makes all the
songs, especially “And I’m Telling You I’m
Not Going” and “Listen” extra potent.
MOVIE RATING:
 
DVD
RATING :
Review
by John Li
|
