"La La Land" Good movie, but could have been great.

Rating: 8/10 (12 December 2016)

Just saw La La Land yesterday in IMAX and am glad I did. This movie is a visual experience that must be experienced in the biggest screen possible.
But while I think it's a good movie, I'm sorry to say it's not as great as many of the critics have said it is.
Don't get me wrong I love Musicals. But it not in the same league as Musicals like Singin' in the Rain (my favorite), Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, and Cabaret. I even like modern Musicals like Moulin Rouge. Though I know comparing one movie to another is wrong, as each movie is different and unique, but you tend to compare movies of the same genre (Raging Bull vs Rocky).
Positives:
1. The Direction is good.
2. Performances by Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are really good.
3. Music is good.
4. Cinematography is beautiful. Feels like a Van Gogh painting come to life.
Negatives:
1. Script is uneven. First half is not engaging, things improve post intermission, but
2. I wouldn't call this a negative but takes too much inspiration from movies like "American in Paris" and a lot form French Musicals like "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg" and "The Young Girls of Rochefort." Wish it was a bit original though.
Final thoughts:
Watch it at least once, just don't have high expectations and you won't be disappointed.
My rating is four out of five stars.