On the one hand, this movie is a fun and entertaining spectacle. The songs are catchy and the choreography is amazing to watch. This movie would be perfect as a stage performance. I will be listening to the soundtrack on repeat, for sure.
On the other hand, it comes across as too heavy-handed in its themes and was so fast-paced that you barely have any time to register the emotions in any of the scenes. This movie also does a lot of "telling" (or rather, singing) rather than showing. The characters will say how they feel, but the movie has no time to stop and really show it. In this way, the songs may come across as insincere and cheesy a lot of the time. But, like I said, it's mostly a pacing issue. If this movie was given more time to slow down in between songs, it could've made a huge emotional impact.
I also think this movie was a missed opportunity to explore the interesting, complicated personality of the real P.T. Barnum. Instead, the movie turned him into a Walt Disney-esque figure with a dream, who grows up to make that dream come true. The real Barnum was a shady, savvy businessman who was also a creative innovator, a genius entrepreneur, an anti-slavery politician, and an overall controversial public figure. A lot more interesting than the watered-down version we get from this movie.
Still, it's a fun watch. And if you're a fan of musicals, you won't be disappointed for sure. It's a spectacle, but it's not exactly the "greatest show."
On the other hand, it comes across as too heavy-handed in its themes and was so fast-paced that you barely have any time to register the emotions in any of the scenes. This movie also does a lot of "telling" (or rather, singing) rather than showing. The characters will say how they feel, but the movie has no time to stop and really show it. In this way, the songs may come across as insincere and cheesy a lot of the time. But, like I said, it's mostly a pacing issue. If this movie was given more time to slow down in between songs, it could've made a huge emotional impact.
I also think this movie was a missed opportunity to explore the interesting, complicated personality of the real P.T. Barnum. Instead, the movie turned him into a Walt Disney-esque figure with a dream, who grows up to make that dream come true. The real Barnum was a shady, savvy businessman who was also a creative innovator, a genius entrepreneur, an anti-slavery politician, and an overall controversial public figure. A lot more interesting than the watered-down version we get from this movie.
Still, it's a fun watch. And if you're a fan of musicals, you won't be disappointed for sure. It's a spectacle, but it's not exactly the "greatest show."