Dreamgirls (Two-Disc Showstopper Edition) [Blu-ray]
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Jennifer HudsonDirector: Bill Condon
Studio: DreamWorks
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen
Running Time: 130 minutes
DVD Release: June 3rd 2008
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DVD Review
Director Bill Condon brings Tom Eyen's Tony award-winning Broadway musical to the big screen in a tale of dreams, stardom, and the high cost of success in the cutthroat recording industry. The time is the 1960s, and singers Effie (Jennifer Hudson), Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose), and Deena (Beyoncé Knowles) are about to find out just what it's like to have their wildest dreams come true. Discovered at a local talent show by ambitious manager Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx), the trio known as "the Dreamettes" is soon offered the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of opening for popular singer James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). Subsequently molded into an unstoppable hit machine by Taylor and propelled into the spotlight as "the Dreams," the girls quickly find their bid for the big time taking priority over personal friendship as Taylor edges out the ultra-talented Effie so that the more beautiful Deena can become the face of the group. Now, as the crossover act continues to dominate the airwaves, the small-town girls with big-city dreams slowly begin to realize that the true cost of fame may be higher than any of them ever anticipated.
User Reviews
Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! - Rating: 5/5
If you lack soul, you won't get this movie.
This movie is for those with a pulse.
Fantastic cinematography.
Fantastic sound.
Fantastic acting.
If you go into this movie with expectations, you will be distracting yourself.
Let it go and allow yourself to get immersed.
I bought this movie and sat on it for months before finally watching it today.
Wow!
I got sad, excited, cried, laughed, relaxed, stood up and clapped in ovation... all in one experience.
The tens of thousands I spent on my movie theater were worth it... just for this movie.
Wow!
Just bad - Rating: 2/5
As the story of the Supremes, I wonder why they didn't just make a bio-pic with the real music? As it stands, this is unsatisfying, and the original score is a screechfest that's not even close to Motown in style. This reminds of the awful Bette Midler 70s pic, "The Rose," another attempt to tell a star's story without actually naming the star, in that case Janis Joplin. Eddie Murphy, as the Marvin Gayish singer, is sort of impressive here, but Jamie Foxx is expressionless as the Berry Gordy-like character. The dreamgirls themselves are forgettable. Watch it if you like ear-numbing screeching.
Average film - fantastic music - Rating: 3/5
Technical a good bluray movie - but I think it was an average movie. Perhaps I'm not just into musicals...
2.5 stars out of 4 - Rating: 3/5
The Bottom Line:
When it's at its best Dreamgirls is an aggessive and engaging musical, but too often it slides into slow scenes and uninteresting songs (We are a family/like a shining tree) while focusing on characters like Curtis (played by a thoroughly bored looking Jamie Foxx) that the audience doesn't care as much about; Dreamgirls is a mixed bag but I suggest you pass.
Show stopper!!!!!! - Rating: 5/5
I have been waiting for a musical like this for a looooong time. Since the musical days of the delectable Annie and Oliver Twist and Julie Andrews, there hasn't been a film musical that hit the note both musically and artistically. There have been many feeble attempts (with the exceptions of Chicago and Moulin Rouge) but musical lovers such as myself were left to only reminisce the good ol' days - until the arrival of this film.
Almost all film versions of musicals cast actors who can sing. But this musical has cleverly casted singers who can act. There is not one weak link in this ensemble cast. Beyonce has come a long way as an actress and she takes on this role pleasantly. She is sweet, innocent and a darling - and she pulls off her weight beautifully with her magnificent voice. Eddie Murphy - what a pleasant surprise - the wise-ass donkey can sing his behind off!! Jamie Fox didn't have a lot of singing (which was a bit disappointing as he has an incredible voice) but his presence in his acting definitely kept the film grounded. And then there was Hudson - what a performance!!! She is a show-stopper!!!! - the greatest discovery in the film. I've only mentioned the main players but even the extras who have a 10-second act are fantastic performers.
This film not only will satisfy you musically, it has heart and soul just like the music. Huge kudos to the director and the producers - and a sincere thanks from a true musical fan.
