I am a massive fan of the Broadway show, and I was looking forward to this movie since it was announced. I didn't think it would be fantastic, but I knew it would be fun to watch, especially as a fan already.
And fun it was. As expected, Ryan Murphy really did Ryan Murphy, with all the glitz and glamour, colour, and vibrant look of his work. I do wish it wasn't a Netflix film so I could see it in a cinema (if this was a normal year), because a bigger screen would certainly benefit it.
However, it wasn't great. Yes, I had a lot of fun with the film, it was certainly enjoyable. I wanted more Andrew Rannells, and the fact they cut almost all of "The Acceptance Song" makes me annoyed, because that is one of my favourites in the show.
Additionally, the auto-tuning and overly done pitch correction of many of the actors is hard to listen to. I didn't know Keegan Michael-Key could sing, but the rest of the main cast all can.
Love him or hate him, but James Corden can sing. His accent isn't great, overly done in some scenes, but he can sing. He was probably the one I noticed the least editing done on his voice, him and Meryl Streep. Andrew Rannells was in "Book of Mormon" on Broadway, he doesn't need his voice altered, nor did Ariana DeBosse, who was in "Hamilton."
As mentioned, the severely shortened "The Acceptance Song" was annoying, as well as cutting Emma and Alyssa's verse from "You Happened." I can take changing some lyrics, and while a great joke is removed in one change ("Just Breathe"), it ultimately isn't a big deal. Luckily, no full songs are cut (though I wouldn't have minded the removal of "Zazz").
The pacing of the film is good, with songs coming in reasonably quick succession. It helps that the musical creators wrote the screenplay, they can make sure the film follows their show from a script perspective. The ability to change scenery a lot mid-song helps at times, but it makes you question Murphy's choices a bit (like, why does part of "Just Breathe" take place while Emma is swimming backstroke? Why is she singing then?)
Everyone does a fine, competent job, but it isn't a movie that is going to win any Oscars. I had fun watching it, and I went back and watched a few performances again. I would watch it again, but unless I want to hear a little Andrew Rannells, I am sticking with the Broadway cast.
And fun it was. As expected, Ryan Murphy really did Ryan Murphy, with all the glitz and glamour, colour, and vibrant look of his work. I do wish it wasn't a Netflix film so I could see it in a cinema (if this was a normal year), because a bigger screen would certainly benefit it.
However, it wasn't great. Yes, I had a lot of fun with the film, it was certainly enjoyable. I wanted more Andrew Rannells, and the fact they cut almost all of "The Acceptance Song" makes me annoyed, because that is one of my favourites in the show.
Additionally, the auto-tuning and overly done pitch correction of many of the actors is hard to listen to. I didn't know Keegan Michael-Key could sing, but the rest of the main cast all can.
Love him or hate him, but James Corden can sing. His accent isn't great, overly done in some scenes, but he can sing. He was probably the one I noticed the least editing done on his voice, him and Meryl Streep. Andrew Rannells was in "Book of Mormon" on Broadway, he doesn't need his voice altered, nor did Ariana DeBosse, who was in "Hamilton."
As mentioned, the severely shortened "The Acceptance Song" was annoying, as well as cutting Emma and Alyssa's verse from "You Happened." I can take changing some lyrics, and while a great joke is removed in one change ("Just Breathe"), it ultimately isn't a big deal. Luckily, no full songs are cut (though I wouldn't have minded the removal of "Zazz").
The pacing of the film is good, with songs coming in reasonably quick succession. It helps that the musical creators wrote the screenplay, they can make sure the film follows their show from a script perspective. The ability to change scenery a lot mid-song helps at times, but it makes you question Murphy's choices a bit (like, why does part of "Just Breathe" take place while Emma is swimming backstroke? Why is she singing then?)
Everyone does a fine, competent job, but it isn't a movie that is going to win any Oscars. I had fun watching it, and I went back and watched a few performances again. I would watch it again, but unless I want to hear a little Andrew Rannells, I am sticking with the Broadway cast.