Best Musical in Cinema History

Rating: 10/10 (4 February 2017)

I saw it thrice in theaters, but Whiplash director Damien Chazelle's La La Land, with good reason, left me totally flabbergasted when I left the cinema all three times. I didn't get to watch it last year, but no matter when I watch a good movie like it, I stick with my clear opinion. It also caught my eye for the reception and cult following it gained among both critics and moviegoers alike so there's more than just a random decision, but let's move on...
When the film acts out as a musical to entertain those of all ages, the audience is easily gripped by all the super catchy songs within its powerful plot that make it seem like the new generation of 1950s musicals. Even for those who aren't fans of musicals, or mainly in my case; romance, the cinematography throughout most of the songs that help make the film live up to its title, like Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in an observatory (since this is a love story while also being a musical at the same time after all) give it some of that rewatchable factor since everybody loves good moments like a lovely dance between two characters.
Stone's and Gosling's characters both have their own sides of the story that develop them well enough that will really grip you to them. From Stone's character; Mia's moments of auditioning for films throughout all of her parts, to Gosling's Sebastian playing pianos from building to building and playing the movie's most common theme that is of him and Mia during their relationship, the characterization suits both the leads even if their the only ones that really get it. And I say this because above actors (Emma Watson and Miles Teller who would've been the lead characters original before Stone and Gosling) and characters at times, story and pacing are really more important when it all comes down to it.
The soundtrack is a big step forward for the film's climax, with the one that's destined to receive an Academy Award (which I'm hoping it will) being "City of Stars", or one other towards the end as it's my favorite song of film), but I'm not going to spoil that one here. It's one thing for the songs to be played out, but considering the fact that (again) it's a musical, actors also need to dance out the situations in which the songs that play in them would. My favorite genre of course would be rock n' roll, but the film's trying to be as jazzy as possible - something of which suits musicals more than guitars and sometimes drums, and being all rock n' roll, or techno or whatever really depends on the musical's theme. In this case, since La La Land is trying to be all classical like some blast to the past (like the 50s and 60s), it's trying to be the soothing kind of situation.
Choreography is another thing as to helping all the memorable, and at times soothe tunes that would make one feel good and even imagine different situations he/she would be in. Even if the film's cast seems less interesting than the two leads (with the exception of (Spoiler Alert!) John Legend and J.K. Simmons (an actor who previously starred Chazelle's first film two years beforehand)), what matters is the overall story and how brilliantly its songs implemented, and how it paces itself out. And according to Chazelle and his ideal soundtrack and excellent plot, La La Land has clearly drawn inspiration from other musicals like Boogie Nights and Singin' in the Rain. But that's not a bad thing. As long as you can make a story that's equally as heartfelt and strong in its storytelling, but not the exact same thing in every element of its plot as all of the musicals it was based off.
Of course, there's no denying that the film has heart to it as there are plenty of scenes where audiences will be cracking up enough to feel good about themselves and even choke up at times that they'll really feel for those moments that, with reason, would really melt the heart. So by no means, will you not be having your feelings of sadness and happiness throughout it as it's okay to feel both feelings throughout any good film.
Who seriously needs a couple of DC superhero flicks that are completely rushed and nonsensical or boring and uninteresting romance crap like an overrated, Academy Award-Winning, 1997, boat- sinking, love story (and really, no offense to those of you die hard lovers/fans of them) when you simply have an endearing storyline that blends romance in perfectly with it's well-constructed narrative while also timing wonderfully catchy musical numbers without having its score stand above the rest of story itself, along with strong performances from two beloved actors/actresses, breathtaking and beautiful cinematography, and gripping moments of a fantasized romance? It makes me feel as though I have a cinematic crush on Emma Stone cause (alongside Ryan Gosling) she's just abso-freakin-lutely incredible!
Those who like it will surely be won over, but those who don't probably will just leave it and move on at the end of the day. But considering all of the best things I've mentioned about it, it all adds up to not only one of my favorite films of last year (at this point I can't decide what my top favorite of 2016 is though), but my favorite musical of ALL TIME!