Best Musical - EVER!

Rating: 10/10 (25 August 2001)

Although I've been a professional and semi-professional musician for over twenty years and an avid movie fan for over thirty years, most musicals have always bored me. Except for Jesus Christ Superstar, I don't think I've ever seen any more than once. That is until today. Moulin Rouge grabbed a hold of me and would not let go! Only five or ten minutes into the movie I knew I was in for a real treat. By the time we had reached the half-way point, I knew that I already wanted to see it again. And again I did. Immediately following the conclusion of the movie, I ran to the lobby to purchase another ticket. While I had heard Nicole Kidman sing a few bars before, nothing prepared me for the real talent she has. Furthermore, to listen to Ewan McGregor sing was worth the price of admission alone. Not only does this movie make great use of modern music (some very modern and some recently modern) but it utilizes musical bits and pieces and storylines from other movies, plays, and even operas. You'll even find lyrics from songs you may know being sung to different melodies and to other familiar tunes as well. Watch closely, you may even see a few parodies of some other familiar characters, too. It seems the more you know about music, movies, and the theatre, the more fun you'll have with this wonderful gem. This one's the next in line for my video collection!