My Anticipated Dreamgirls Review

Rating: 8/10 (29 December 2006)

OF COURSE I COULDN'T WAIT TO SEE IT!!!!!! This movie lived up to it's hype. I don't think a film since Chicago has lived up to its pre-Oscar hype.
This film was electrifying and exhilarating. The costumes, the music, the voices- it all worked so well. The film could have felt like one giant music video, but for some reason it flowed like a musical should. The underline message of black oppression in Rock & roll also became this unsaid "star." It really showcased the ignored impression we as Black Americans had on music today.
Jamie Foxx- I must say surprised me. I thought he would just phone this performance in, but on the contrary. He was manipulative, and fearless. He was what this crook of a character needed to be. I must say I REALLY enjoyed his performance.
Beyonce Knowles- Like many people said, she pulled it off. I will say her beauty is magical. She embodied Diana Ross very much so in her performance, but actually made it her own. I mean the entire musical is a take off Motown and what not, so I don't disagree with what she did. Beautiful singing. As for her acting-OK. I did love her looks and stares more than when she opened her mouth (unless she was singing). She brought incredible beauty to this role, and for that I loved her! She was a gem in my mind. Her character was not really developed enough in a way for us to see a range, but I though she soaked up every time she really could. I almost could call her an actress, but not as of yet. A worthy performance from a young starlet.
Eddie Murphy- one of those great performances that you rarely see from anyone in the industry. It was comical, yet really heart retching. If you watch his eyes he tells James Thunder's story all on it's own. In my opinion, everyone should come and see this film for Eddie Murphy's performance. He brought energy EVERY SINGLE TIME he was on camera. His musical performances were so entertaining. He was awesome. The only person who should win an Oscar from this film is him.
Jennifer Hudson-Her voice is INCREDIBLY. I have to admit after "And I am Telling You" I freaking cheered. I almost got teary eyed. Her performance of that song is one of the greatest musical performances in all of movie musical history. And every time this woman opened her mouth to sing I was astonished. Her acting however bothered me. Regardless of this being her first time and minimal acting before this, I still felt as if a better actress could have REALLY took advantage of every single word Effie said. Not that Jennifer didn't do it in her own little way, to me it just wasn't enough. She's not really an "actress", but for this film her acting can take a backseat to her musical ability, which is why the character is so an audience's favorite. She could have pulled a tad bit more out of her for Effie when it came to the speaking parts, but her musical performances stole the film for me. Oscar worthy? Sure. She's going to win anyway so why not? Anika Noni Rose-FANTASTIC!!! You can tell this woman is a season pro. But what I loved about what this woman did was that fact you saw this woman change from a little girl, to a woman. She fist began as a giggly girl going with the flow of everything, to end up a woman and realizing the man she loves is killing himself. Her performance is going unlooked, and it's not fair because she steals the film in her scenes, and rightly so. And her voice is quite amazing. She was the best- acted female in that film. A job will done Anika. I really appreciated her performance.
I will say though, the end of the film was a tad bit expected, and too much happening so fast that end seems rush and quite anti-climatic. I honestly wanted Beyonce's character to turn into the Diana Ross bitch that she should have always been. I doubt Denna wouldn't have ANY type of power. And Effie- sorry to say- I didn't want her to get what she deserved. In life that rarely happens to good people. I think the film would have been more effective if she would have been cheated still, but Jamie and Beyonce's character would still live in some great guilt. And then at the end there could have been this really great ballad of suffering or something. I don't like Hallmark endings, and that's what it was. I LOVED the way Eddie's character went out. He went out in a depressing way, but you still felt for him.
Other than that I couldn't keep my eyes off this movie. It kept my attention for every single second.
I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!! My Grade: A-