Review of Chicago (2002) by Chris R — 18 Jan 2011

Now this is the pinnacle of all musical movies and it improves upon the staged version and better staged musical numbers which are reflective of the settiing of the movie: Prohibition era Chicago. The movie really takes advantage of the fact that it can do more than the original because it is a movie. The movies musical numbers don't involve breaking out and singing but instead occur outside what is going on the plot and the film exploits this to give us two completely different realities one of the Vaudeville style musical numbers and the other of a harsh edged reality prohibition era chicago. This also makes the viewer believe that these songs are actually just in the mind of Roxie who is one the many characters involved in this musical.

This movie's musical numbers and plot are further enhanced by the all star cast who deliver it with such convincing power that you lose yourself in the engrossing film. with such great numbers by Queen Latifah (When your good to mama),.

Catherine Zeta-Jones (All That Jazz) and a terrifically sad number by John C. Reilly (Mr. Cellophane) give each of these characters more depth and seems to emphasize what is great about this movie.

Now those going into this expecting a moral point to it should be warned there is non. Plus its cynical nature which deals with the justice system, showbusiness and what people will do to come out on top is not for everybody but this musical movie does find a way to win you over.