Where to begin?

Rating: 8/10 (22 August 2011)

Let me preface this with the fact that I'm a Sci-Fi horror sort of guy. I'm about the last person that would ever go to see a musical, although I like both Cher and Christina's music. It's not exactly what I would consider a movie I'm interested in.
I had a free Saturday morning and picked this up at a matinée with some friends who talked me into it. I was floored by this. I've seen a few musicals in my many years that I enjoyed. This one knocked it out of the ballpark, largely due to Christina. Her acting was actually acceptable and believable, but it was her singling that stole the show, and that is nothing to be ashamed of in a musical after all all.
When Christina first starts wailing once a little mischief pulls the power to the sound system, I was riveted to the screen. She has an amazing voice with a raw power behind it that's hard to describe. Sheer magnetism. It's one of those scenes that literally reaches out and grabs you. It made my heart skip a beat from the charge it gave. I can only describe it as powerful both in impact and visually.
Cher plays the owner of the Burlesque club. She's a bit like a tough and street wise matronly type but doesn't take too much crap. She's a good choice for the role. For those expecting a lot of Cher air time, you'll be somewhat disappointed as she spends relatively little time on screen, and I think that was the right decision. She wasn't great in this role, but she certainly isn't bad. She pulls out emotion in the right spots and a few grins to your face. Excellent chemistry between her and Christina Aguilera as well as Stanley Tucci.
Stanley Tucci also brings a strong role to the film. As always, he plays a role that is executed to perfection. Stanley plays a companion to Cher (in the friend sense as Stanley is gay) and he pretty much manages the talent, gets the girls on stage and keeps things running with the minute of backstage details.
Last but not least, we have Cam Gigandet who plays Jack the bartender. He's an engaged man who offers his apartment to Ali (Christina) until she can get her own. Innocent enough at first, but Cam's fiancé is thousands of miles away working on another job and sparks start to fly between them once they settle in together. The ladies will appreciate Cam in this role. He's certainly easy on the eyes and also played his part well. I was a bit worried that he couldn't pull this type of role off as it gets a bit intimate, but he does well enough without getting to sticky sweet. Ali and Jack as a couple falling in love come off as sweet without being too gushy. A solid performance.
The storyline itself is, as expected, a little cliché but well executed. Just because a story has been done before doesn't mean you've seen it all or that someone can't come along and do it well, and that was my experience with Burlesque. Well worth he price of admission.
Take this from a Horror/Sci-Fi fan who was surprised as well. You won't be disappointed.