If "Chicago" doesn't prove to be a box-office hit, the Hollywood musical can be considered dead once and for all, because examples of the genre don't get much better than this. Director Rob Marshall is faithful to Bob Fosse not only in terms of choreography but in his ability to adapt what worked on stage to the film medium. His camera is as deft in it's movements as the skillful dancers who populate his film.
Everything works right in this adaptation. The idea of the musical numbers being an extension of the character's fantasies is realized beautifully. As opened up as the show is to reflect the Chicago of the 20's as it is know in the movies, it is always true to it's stage source. A couple of numbers have been excised, but the bulk of them are there to be seen and heard and they are performed magnificently.
Kudos must be given to Marshall's sensational cast, none of whom are known for their expertise in musicals. Renee Zellwegger does her best work as Roxie Hart, and Catherine Zeta Jones and Richard Gere are superb as Velma Kelly and Billy Flynn. There are many characters in this lively film, and every one of them has been cast to perfection. Queen Latifah, Christine Baranski and John C. Reilly could not be better in their respective roles. Never far from the spotlight are the sensational dancers. Footwork like this hasn't been seen on screen since Fosse himself filmed "Cabaret".
On Broadway, "Chicago" played second fiddle to "A Chorus Line" when they both opened originally in 1975. Their Hollywood counterparts completely reverse the pecking order. "Chicago" is right up there with the best of musical adaptations ("West Side Story", "Cabaret", "The Sound of Music") and as it is far more sexy and timely it is sure to appeal to a wider if different audience. It is just about the most entertaining movie to have been released in 2002.
Everything works right in this adaptation. The idea of the musical numbers being an extension of the character's fantasies is realized beautifully. As opened up as the show is to reflect the Chicago of the 20's as it is know in the movies, it is always true to it's stage source. A couple of numbers have been excised, but the bulk of them are there to be seen and heard and they are performed magnificently.
Kudos must be given to Marshall's sensational cast, none of whom are known for their expertise in musicals. Renee Zellwegger does her best work as Roxie Hart, and Catherine Zeta Jones and Richard Gere are superb as Velma Kelly and Billy Flynn. There are many characters in this lively film, and every one of them has been cast to perfection. Queen Latifah, Christine Baranski and John C. Reilly could not be better in their respective roles. Never far from the spotlight are the sensational dancers. Footwork like this hasn't been seen on screen since Fosse himself filmed "Cabaret".
On Broadway, "Chicago" played second fiddle to "A Chorus Line" when they both opened originally in 1975. Their Hollywood counterparts completely reverse the pecking order. "Chicago" is right up there with the best of musical adaptations ("West Side Story", "Cabaret", "The Sound of Music") and as it is far more sexy and timely it is sure to appeal to a wider if different audience. It is just about the most entertaining movie to have been released in 2002.