Great musical that breathes life into the genre once again.

Rating: 8/10 (29 April 2017)

Honestly when I was first told about the premise of La La Land, I was pretty uninterested. I love musicals and films of any genre, but this one didn't peak my interest. It was only after it was nominated for 14 Oscars (which is the same amount as my favorite film of all time, Titanic) that I really noticed it.
And boy was I glad I did! This movie is refreshing. It puts to rest all the things about complex plots, "inappropriate" material and language that so many movies have today, and lets us take a two-hour trip into the fantasy world of the story and its characters.
The songs were enjoyable, with "Someone In the Crowd" being the standout. The duets were emotional, and I felt the connection, the bright colors and eccentric dances added to the nostalgic feel of the story. It did an exceptional job blending timeless musicals with modern traditions.
I thought Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling did a great job at their parts, with Stone being the standout. Their characters felt real, like someone you could really meet walking down the street. Their chemistry was good, and I loved that this movie highlights the ups and downs of relationships, because not every relationship is as flawless as the fairy tales say.
I see some negative reviews about the singing and dancing being out of tune and not perfect, but I think it adds to the story. When the characters make a tiny wrong step, or their voices shake, it adds an extra element of realism that I don't think everyone sees. I for one like the tiny mistakes that you can point out. No one is truly flawless.
I think the only thing I didn't like was the pacing. It was a bit slow, but it's understandable considering you wouldn't add a car chase or some action sequence to a romance musical. I also think it could've used one more group song like the first two in the film.
But overall, it's a clean movie that will give you a roller coaster of emotions, and leave you with melodies and tunes playing in your head all night. A must see for anyone who loves musicals.