THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2003
FILM
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 5
Movie musicals take center stage again
By Lindsey Ramsey
lramsey@kansan.com
Jayplay staff writer
A flash of leg, unbelievable dance numbers and astounding vocals. The movie musical had it all.
With the box office success of modern movie musicals such as Moulin Rouge and Chicago, a younger generation has come to love what was once popularized by the MGM musicals of the '40s and '50s.
Matt Cohen, Lenexa graduate student in film, said musicals started making a comeback since Evita racked up an Academy Award for best song and two Golden Globes (best picture — musical or comedy and best lead actress going to Madonna).
But even then it didn't seem musicals
had hit the mainstream until Baz Luhrmann, the innovative director of Romeo & Juliet, came along with his wildly inventive, controversial musical. Moulin Rouge. This movie garnered praise from critics, but audiences were split straight down the middle.
"It was something different," said Kyle McGrath, Wichita sophomore. McGrath said he initially did not want to see the movie but he ended up liking it. "My expectations were low, so it surprised me by being good," he said.
Corinne Fetter, Lenexa freshman, wasn't as impressed.
"I thought it was cheesy, and I didn't really enjoy the renditions of the songs," she said. "I just didn't like the fantasy qualities."
"I think musicals will have a chance now because people were surprised they liked it so much."
Kristin Hall Overland Park sophomore
This year, Chicago has razzle dazzled its way on to screens and has the praise of critics.
Kristin Hall, Overland Park sophomore said she enjoyed the film.
"It had a good cast, and it was interesting," Hall said. "I think musicals will have a chance now because people were surprised they liked it so much."
But there are still skeptics when it comes to the quality of the modern movie musicals.
"Although I respect musicals — having been in a couple in high school — I can't say that I enjoy them any longer," said Nick Bates, Merriam junior.
Love them or hate them, musicals may have only danced their way back into the limelight temporarily.
"I think it's a mistake, after two successful musical films, to claim that the musical is back," Cohen said. "I strongly believe that Chicago's success was due to its previous life as a stage musical, so many people were already familiar with it, but I did love the film Chicago."
— Edited by Leah Shaffer