Review of Get On Up (2014) by Leon B — 18 Apr 2015

Review:

This movie really seemed like it didn't want to end! The whole 2 and a half hours just seemed to drag and the guy who played James Brown (Chadwick Boseman), was a really bad choice. We all know that James Brown was the hardest working man in show business and that he worked his musicians and singers to the bone so it didn't really feel like I learnt anything new about the man himself. After coming from a difficult background, he had an amazing drive to make it in show business and his unique style of music became a smash hit with the public but his non-stop work methods took its toll with everyone that surrounded him. He also had tax problems and a brief drug habit, which isn't really shown in the film but is well noted in media, so he ended up quite lonely in the latter part of his life. I personally loved his music and his brilliant dance moves and I have many of his records in my collection. His live performances were second to none but I didn't really feel the same vibe in this movie. That is due to the actor who played the lead, who did sound and dance like James Brown, but I didn't find his acting that convincing. He lacked emotion and he seemed to young to play the legend. Anyway, I found the film quite boring and way too long. Disappointing!

Round-Up:

I was surprised to see that the movie was produced by Mick Jagger, who really should have done a better job as he has huge experience in this field. It seemed like the director was scared to touch on some in depth issues, like his drug addiction, womanising and his violent nature but I'm glad that they showed some of his problems that he had whilst growing up. Nelsan Ellis, who also done a great job in Secretariat and starred in the Butler and Help, was brilliant as Bobby Byrd and I was impressed with Dan Aykroyd and Viola Davis but the lead actor was a big disappointment. He has also starred in Draft Day and 42 but he has done more TV work than movies for the big screen. I can tell that he done his homework for the role but he just hasn't got the experience to make the character seem real. Anyway, it's definitely one of those projects that need a reboot because the guy was a musical genius and they should have given the film much more thought before rushing it's release. .

Budget: $30million.

Worldwide Gross: $32million.

I recommend this movie to people who are into their epic biopics about James Brown's life story. 4/10.