The Greatest Showman is the culmination of seven years of hard work and continuous passion. Director Michael Gracey delivers a very unique and interesting twist on both a story and genre that otherwise would probably have been seen as unusual. The Greatest Showman is truly one of 2017’s best films overall.
The two ingredients of this movie that excel are the characters and the music. Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron are stellar in their respective roles as P.T. Barnum and Phillip Carlyle. Hugh continues to show how versatile and immaculate he is as an actor. You have to appreciate a man that can play a role so dark and gritty such as Wolverine almost perfectly, and then be able to dance and sing equally as professionally. Zac surprised me in the way he could adhere to his character and blend so easily with all the other actors involved. The other actors/actresses including Zendaya, Keala Settle, and Michelle Williams are also very well presented.
Almost everyone’s biggest takeaway from this movie was the soundtrack and how it was incorporated into the product. Every single song performed by the cast is inspiring and uplifting. It triggers imagination almost immediately, and is sprinkled throughout the film in a way that doesn’t derail the experience in the slightest. In addition, the music also provides some excellent, heartfelt character development. I would even argue that the music is what makes the movie so grand.
While this movie does suffer slightly from minor pacing issues in the second act, and a slight lack in some character interaction, it is still an awe inspiring and moving motion picture that I think almost anyone can enjoy. The impressive cast of characters, soundtrack, cinematography, and choreography really make this film a special adventure. Every time that I have seen it, the whole theatre has applauded at the final scene, and The Greatest Showman is certainly deserving of any and all praise. It is both cinematic and historical proof that life can be full of imagination through the power of a million dreams.
4/5
