Reality Singing Competition Loser Completely & Magnificently Outshines Multi Hundred Million Worth International Entertainment, Fashion, Music, & Sex Icon

Rating: 7/10 (14 November 2017)

Maybe I am a sucker. For all the impressive sets, the magnificent costume design, the catchy songs, the accomplished choreography, the mesmerizing glitz and glamour of the Hollywood stage performances.
Maybe I need to see the Broadway musical. Then again, Broadway musicals are nearly always better; it is the original!
Maybe I need to get to know my Motown better. I appreciate my soulful tunes from the 60s and 70s, but am admittedly not a sophisticated listener to the genre.
Maybe I am supposed to want an intricate plot executed beautifully, rather than a basic story that serves as the vessel to provide the audience with moving performances and songs.
Fair enough, this was no "Chicago"; the balance and pacing could use some editing and I definitely would not recommend this to anyone looking for the magnificently story, but it was definitely better than many of the critics out there are saying.
Commendable performances by everyone on the cast. Beyoncé Knowles is Deena Jones, the lead singer for The Dreamettes now The Dreams, Anika Noni Rose as Lorrell Robinson, Sharon Leal plays Michelle Morris, Danny Glover makes an appearance as Marty Madison. Jamie Foxx as the all business before family vilified manager and owner for Rainbow Records, Curtis Taylor. I was notably impressed by Eddie Murphy's performance as music legend and womanizer James Early, especially to see him sing like that! I also really liked lesser known actor Keith Robinson, who plays C C White, songwriting older brother to Effie White. Which brings us to the star of this film. She may not be the star of Curtis Taylor's The Dreams, but she damn sure takes the show anyways. In her Hollywood debut, (Season 3 American Idol seventh place finalist) Jennifer Hudson makes her stage presence known in a dazzling way, winning an Academy Award for Best supporting actress. Well deserved for her singing, in my opinion, but not quite so sure on the acting alone.
Maybe I am a sucker for the formulaic lights and special effects. Or maybe I simply know how to appreciate a good voice, soulful performances, emphatic performances, and an entertaining musical.