Better than Showgirls!

Rating: 9/10 (28 June 2010)

My mother-in-law bought me this movie this past Christmas. I only opened it last night, because I generally hate her taste (I'm closer to "films" rather than "movies", else kung-fu if I want it "dumb fun"), though Abba fan for similar reasons to this review. I get made fun of at painting sessions for it, but I get the best art off Abba.
Happily surprised; the DORK in me LOVED it! I don't care half of them can't sing or dance; more like watching your best friends (since all-star cast) in karaoke. Absolutely FUN.
15 minutes in, nearly shut it off (mostly my pre-conceived "I'm going to hate this"). Glad I waited. Delicious! I gave three standing-Os in my own living room for how train-wreck but awesome at same time some of the numbers were.
I'm not a Meryl Street worshiper (always LIKE her), but she won me over, completely. I couldn't take my eyes off her. I love it when she does "comedy", and wish Hollywood let her do more. She's deep, charming, silly, absolutely mesmerizing, and does carry the movie. Her supporting cast is excellent and just as fun to watch.
Point off for not letting the worst singers sing. I was annoyed by dub/dub-over; I'd rather they just trash the song, but still their own voices. And off for what my husband also called "the Duran Duran pier scene"; would have been more ridiculously awful and funny with no view jumps, just standing and walk off.
Otherwise, just beat Showgirls for my new all-time trash-movie love. Kinda like The Eye (Hong Kong ONLY) beating the Shining for me in category horror.
LOVED IT.