Rating: 7.5/10
Tagline: With the right song and dance, you can get away with murder.
Summary: Chicago centers on Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, two criminals-of-passion who find themselves awaiting their trials for murder in 1920s Chicago. Velma, a vaudevillian, and Roxie, a housewife with aspirations of having the same profession, fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows.
Stars: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly, Christine Baranski, Lucy Liu, Taye Diggs, Colm Feore
It’s been awhile since I’ve reviewed a movie, well…because it’s been quite awhile since I’ve actually seen a movie. I watched two yesterday, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape ? (starring Johnny Depp and Leonardo Dicaprio), and Chicago. I’m a huge fan of musicals and had been dying to see this as well as Moulin Rouge! (which is still overdue) for a long time.
I have to admit that it was quite a fun movie – Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones are both great actresses and I really enjoyed their performances. The characters are not sympathetic at all, but their spiteful and cruel demeanors are fun to watch. Richard Gere was also good as the charismatic Billy Flynn, who somehow manages to twist everything to suit his defendant’s case. All in all, I enjoyed the dialogue and the storyline, as well as the characters of Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, and their rivalry. Taye Diggs and Lucy Liu also had small little cameos, which I enjoyed.
What I really loved – not surprisingly enough – was the choreography and the soundtrack. My favorite song is definitely We Both Reached for the Gun. I reminded the recording at least five times to watch that number. I also really loved Cell Block Tango, especially the fierce looks on the actresses’ faces, as well as Roxie. I was really impressed with the two lead actresses’ voices, especially Renee, who had never had professional training prior to filming this movie.
All in all, if you’re a fan of musicals, you should enjoy this movie. If you’re not, I would probably stay away from it, since the songs are what really make it. After this movie, I would curious to see how similar the stage version is.
Have you seen Chicago? What are you thoughts?
I haven’t seen Chicago yet, but I would like to see it sometime though:)
Definitely! Especially if you’re a fan of musicals!
I love Chicago! Its one of my favorite movies. I haven’t seen it in a very long time, but I must find my dvd and watch it again. I was taught a audition dance routine to ‘I Can’t Do it Alone’ back in the day, and it was such fun to learn. /end random babble
That must have been so much fun! I really loved Catherine’s routine during I Can’t Do It Alone, especially the beginning. Lucky!
I love this film – Catherine Zeta Jones can sing so well, and the costumes were gorgeous.
I think I was most impressed by Catherine Zeta-Jones’ voice – I had no idea that woman could sing. And those costumes were great, especially during the Cell Block Tango number.
I haven’t seen it before! Actually, I believe the only musical that I’ve ever seen full stop is a musical on the band Queen’s music before, but this sounds fun!
Oh, I’ve never heard of that before. Sounds interesting!
I’m not really one for musicals but I LOVE this movie. I was obsessed with it right after it came out. I used to dance around my room and sing “All that Jazz” and “The Cell Block Tango” and wish I was Velma. I also love 1920′s fashion and that time period in general. All the actors were great!
I wish I was Velma too just so I could sing Cell Block Tango and I Can’t Do It Alone
I love Catherine Zeta-Jones as an actress, and this movie seems really cool! Plus I love musicals as well.
I’m not a huge fan of Catherine Zeta-Jones, but she was really great in this movie! I was really impressed with her voice.
I LOVE this musical! It is amazing. I have seen it live and I actually like the film version way better! They can do so much more in a movie and it really helps the story develop
GO WATCH MOULIN ROUGE!!! I can’t believe you haven’t seen it yet. It’s amazing. Ewan Mcgregor singing = LOVE 
I definitely plan on seeing Moulin Rouge soon! I even have the DVD at home, just have to get around to it. (:
This is my ultimate favorite movie. I’m a die-hard Catherine Zeta-Jones and musical fan, so this was a great treat. I had no idea she could sing though! I’m officially obsessed with “All That Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango,” and “I Can’t Do it Alone.”