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Chicago (Full Screen Edition) Customer Reviews (112 - 114 of 120 Reviews)

Renee and Catherine Roar!
Bob Fosse was such a larger-than-life talent, and this exuberant adaptation of his Seventies stage production shows it. The story of two murdering femme fatales (Renne Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones, both belting out songs and dancing their hearts out) in Prohibition-era Chicago is cynical, jaded, beyond belief--and just right as a vehicle to showcase the stars' considerable talents in an area where we did not expect to see them.

Picture Richard Gere, a hotshot lawyer who represents both ladies, singing and dancing while keeping his cynical persona intact, and you have an idea of just what a romp this movie really is. Catherine Zeta-Jones, showstopping gorgeous as a Theda Bera-style vamp, is nothing less than wonderful. So is Queen Latifah, who steals the show as the bribe-taking, seen-it-all matron of the women's prison. I'd see the movie all over again just to see the Queen give it all she's got in full twenties regalia--including a feather boa.

It's Renee Zellweger, in my opinion, who ultimately makes the movie, even though the entire ensemble cast is fabulous, right down to the bit players. She does a bravura job as Roxie, the sweet little murderess who, after plugging her no-good lover with a chest full of bullets shot at point-blank range, manages to convey a frightened innocence that makes one want to hug her. Slimmed down entirely from her zaftig "Bridget Jones" days, Renee gives it all she's got, and shows that she coulda been a contender--a torch singer par excellence.

Wild, big, bold, with 20s-style sets and 21st-century over-the-top editing, "Chicago" is a wonderful treat, well worth seeing more than once.

Riviting
I love this film; it is so high-energy. The dances (and creative input of them into the film) are unlike most musicals that I have ever seen. Jones and Latifa steal the show, but Gere and Zellweger seem a little out of place to me (nothing that hurts the punch of the movie). What really impressed me, however, was the singing. I was very surprised that all the songs were not only catchy, but also "ear easy."

The DVD itself is a **** star item. Great extras! Better film!

Best Picture? You Bet!
Hard to believe, but this hard-edged musical fantasy not only won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2002, it is also arguably the best piece of filmaking to come out of a Hollywood studio this decade. Back in the bad old 1970s, when Broadway musical director and sometimes filmaker Bob Fosse first produced the stage version of "Chicago," stories thiss brutally honest (some would say cynical) dominated the movie industry. Only because most Hollywood films have become so dumbed down and mediocre in recent years does "Chicago" seem like a bracing breath of fresh air.

The movie's highlights includes tremendous performances from ts three stars (who would have thought Rene Zellweger and Richard Gere could sing and dance so well?). The songs are memorable, as is the witty between song dialog. As a bonus, the DVD contains plenty of extras, including a "making of" featurette, and interviews with the Director and stars.

Overall, a very worthy film presented in a very worthwhile DVD package.

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