The Greatest Showman

Our family went to watch this movie on Christmas Eve. We hate musicals, and I hadn't seen any previews, so I had no idea what I was getting the family into. Imagine my surprise when the previews ended and Hugh Jackman sang, "Ladies and Gents this is the moment you've waited for." I cringed, and looked over at my husband. He gave me the, "You've gotta be kidding me! We paid $40 to see A STUPID MUSICAL!" look. I shrugged, and mouthed SORRY. We only pony up the money to see movies in theaters, maybe three times a year. If that. Frankly I was mad that we just wasted a ticket.I sat back, and made up my mind to hate it. But truth be told, I didn't. I liked it. We all liked, but didn't want to admit it out loud to each other. We walked out and all agreed it was better than we thought it would be. Then a funny thing happened. We all kept singing the songs. So... we bought the album. After listening to the songs over and over, we all agreed we needed to go see it again. We loved it, and all agreed it was an awesome movie.It became an addiction! We kept listening, and the more we listened, the more we loved it. We tried to resist paying to see it again... how silly would that be? After waiting two weeks, we went to see it AGAIN. Now we all agree, BEST MOVIE OF ALLLLLL TIME. Ever. Hands down, our new favorite. It's February 5th and I've already bought a digital copy on Amazon.Give it a chance! Even if you're like us, and hate musicals!

"+Digital" is a hoax. I love the movie. I love the music. I paid more for this movie than I'm usually willing to pay for a hard copy because my family has been singing the songs repeatedly since we rented it. HOWEVER, if you're depending on the digital copy, be warned that the "Digital" in my version of the product, which matches the current (3 May 2018) product image is nothing but a digitial download of two songs from the sound track, NOT a digitial copy of the movie, which is what you'd normally expect given the packaging. See photo for exact terms.If you vote this as helpful, more people will see it and be warned.

Like Johnny Appleseed, Annie Oakley, and possibly Harry Houdini, P.T. Barnum has become less a figure of history than a giant of American popular folklore. And since Barnum himself never pretended to possess more than a passing relationship with the truth, it’s richly appropriate that “The Greatest Showman,” the new movie which uses as its foundation the life of the father of the circus, does not even bother to use the usual opening gambit, “based on a true story.” Because it rarely is.Instead, before the opening credits even hit the screen the movie throws the audience by the seat of its pants into the most foot-stomping, pulse-pounding, show-stopping entertainment since the circus came to town. The picture grabs the viewer by his nose and doesn’t let go from the first frame of film until the last. And after the show is over, the viewer leaves with a song in his heart, a smile on his face, a spring in his step, and a tear in his eye.“The Greatest Showman” follows the tried-and-true formula of Horatio Alger and dozens of motion pictures biographies, from “Rhapsody in Blue” to “Night and Day” to “Yankee Doodle Dandy”: Through hard work and dedication, the hero rises from poverty to the pinnacle of success, falters for a moment, and then through faith and love achieves an even more lofty and soul-satisfying conclusion.But “The Greatest Showman” continues the hallowed entertainment tradition to the beat of a percussive and pounding drum-driven hip-hop tempo of street music, accompanied by the most jaw-dropping breakdance moves you’ll ever see in an ensemble performance.During the opening scene the world explodes into a panorama of vivid colors embracing in its entirety the world of the circus—flying acrobats, prancing horses, fire-breathers, elephants, and clowns. When the song ends, it’s all you can do to stop yourself from jumping to your feet to applaud. And then the movie tops itself, over and over and over again.Anyone who’s seen Hugh Jackman appearing on an interview show—and he’s doing a lot of them in support of this movie—knows that his signature role as the caustic and violent Wolverine in eight “X-Men” movies are the real stretch for the actor.The very definition of the term “amiable bloke,” the Australian Jackman at heart is a song-and-dance man. And in “The Greatest Showman” Jackman proves it—the actor whirls, jumps, kicks, cakewalks, and struts with such loose-limbed dexterity that he often seems immune to laws of gravity.Matching Jackman almost step-by-step, scene-by-scene, and note-by-note are a talented array of supporting performers, including Zac Efron as a highbrow New York playwright persuaded by Barnum to join the circus as a means of broadening the show’s appeal, and the platinum-selling pop star Zendaya as the trapeze artist Efron falls for. One highlight among many in the picture is the ballad “Rewrite the Stars,” performed by Zendaya and Efron in a sort of aerial ballet courting ritual under the big top.Likewise, the exotic Keala Settle, playing the bearded lady among the uniquely-gifted and physically distinctive show people recruited by Barnum to star in his “Greatest Show,” provides much of the heart and soul of the movie. Settle’s performance of “This is Me” adds real spirit to an anthem for the heartbreaking loneliness of individuality, and the empowerment found in accepting yourself as you are.The gifted Michelle Williams is as adorable as usual as Barnum’s patient wife, Charity, and the Swedish actress Rebecca Ferguson adds European flavor as opera star Jenny Lind, persuaded by impresario Barnum to undertake a series of US concerts under his tutelage in a bid to gain acceptance among the more rarefied echelons of society.Surprisingly, “The Greatest Showman” is receiving mixed reviews from some of the country’s more influential critics. Some are turning up their collective noses at the movie’s “soupy soulfulness” and shallow, populist aspirations.But the picture in its depiction of the contentious “friendly enemy” relationship between Barnum and newspaper critic James Gordon Bennett seems to anticipate the unflattering reviews. When Barnum is confronted with the challenge that everything connected with his show is “fake,” Barnum points to the circus’ audience and smilingly replies, “Those smiles seem real enough.” And you know what? He’s right.Written by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon and guided to the screen by first-time director Michael Gracey, “The Greatest Showman” steps up to the plate and bats a grand slam home run in just about every single department. And with a dozen or so rousing, showstopping songs courtesy of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the Academy Award-winning lyricists from last year’s “La La Land,” the viewer might even want to stop on the way home after the movie to pick up a copy of the soundtrack album.“The Greatest Showman” is superb motion picture entertainment in the tradition of the great Hollywood musicals, and as close as we’re likely to get to a Broadway experience simulated in a movie auditorium. There’s real movie magic at work here: This is one picture packed with an ingredient rarely found in films these days—it’s spelled J-O-Y, and it has a big exclamation point at the end.There’s a lot of competition out there for your family entertainment dollar during this holiday season. If you can only see one movie this month, “The Greatest Showman” is the choice you want to make. Any movie which depicts a father riding to his daughter’s musical recital on a dancing elephant is doing something awfully right.The highest praise—P.T. Barnum would love this picture. And so will you.

Like the lyrics from one of the songs this movie, this is like a wonderful dream come true! I haven't been this excited about a movie in years. I was crying throughout the movie from the shear joy of seeing this masterpiece!. The whole thing is sensational! I've seen it 3 times in the theater and I'm not done yet. I also downloaded the soundtrack in the parking lot after seeing it the first time. THIS type of film is why I go to the movies...to dream with my eyes wide open!

LOVED this movie! The music and performances are unforgettable. I have read some negative reviews that complain the movie is too over the top without enough substance- well... that is exactly what I want in a movie like this! Big bold performances, music that you can't stop singing long after the movie is over and dance numbers that make you wish you were a dancer. I cannot wait to watch it over and over again! A welcome escape from today's not always happy reality.

Remember this is a MOVIE not an biography of PT Barnum. Let it take you away for two hours into a colorful and wonderful world, away from your everyday life. Kind of like the real circus used to.As the story progresses and you meet and understand the characters, it no longer becomes a circus musical but more about family--real and created. About following your dream--sometimes too far. And how everyone deserves to be loved and has a place in this world. Lots of wonderful messages that society today needs.

最初は私利私欲から始まって、次第に本質的価値や真の役割に気付き、大きなムーブメントを巻き起こすヒュー･ジャクマン主演映画の定番ストーリーだが、マイノリティ達に生き甲斐や社会的な居場所を創造するシナリオに素直にヤられた。ジェニー･リンドの歌唱力の完成度は確かに素晴らしいが、虐げられたマイノリティ達による魂の讃歌の方が粗削りながら、生命力の大波となって私達の腹に響いてくる。太古の時代から人類が育んできた歌唱や躍りの持つチカラを侮ってはいけない。様々なメッセージを籠めた歌詞は、観る者を眼と耳と心で震撼させる。ミュージカル映画はそれ自体が本物であり、ストレートな表現を前にした時、観客も嘘はつけない。特にフィリップ･カーライル役を好演したザック･エフロンが印象的で、彼が選択した人生こそが現代の私達に訴える最も大事なメッセージだと思う。成功のために突き進む主人公とは違い、彼は何かを守り何かを壊す道に生き甲斐を見出し、一度得た地位を棄ててまで奮闘する。その真摯な表情や演技に惚れ込んでしまった。加えてメディアの社会的価値を改めて知らしめる新聞記者が大事なスパイスだった。間違いなく科学文明は進歩して便利で快適な世の中にはなったが、人間も負けずに叡知なる存在に近付けているのだろうか？ 今を謙虚に振り替える事にも役立つ作品だろう。様々な差別や嫉みが渦巻く現代社会に魂で抗う｢歌唱と演舞｣のチカラを信じたくなる、久々の傑作に出逢えました。

Released today, arrived at lunch time....This musical is amazing, I must admit, only ordered it to add to my Zac Efron collection....I was totally blown away, I can't describe how excellent, the acting, music, scenery is.....even if you're not keen on musicals. this film is a must!!!!!!

I can't remember the last time I loved a film and it's soundtrack so much. I went to see it 10 times at the cinema thanks to my unlimited card. I rarely see a film more than one and never that many times!Since receiving the DVD I have watched it a few more times. There is the option to watch the sing a long version and to watch just the songs and other extras!This is a must see film even if you are not a huge fan of musicals! If you can see it in the cinema do so but having a copy to watch at home is great also! 👍🎩🎪

Very disappointed with this product it is fake and not genuine it has no holograms and has a printed picture poorly attached to the DVD case. I cannot give it as a gift as intended and cannot believe that Amazon allows fakes to be sold .

Love, love LOVE this film :)My 7 year old daughter loves it too which makes it even more special.Arrived on the release date and we've already watched it twice!!!!! LOL