Sprawling period drama brought-to-life in some of the most amazing 3D ever

Rating: Null/10 (23 March 2014)

It was an interesting change to watch a Leo movie so soon after seeing him play Calvin Candie, and that kind of timing should help the movie's box-office as well. But, I digress at the beginning itself.
How's the movie? I enjoyed it, and thought it was very good, though it is far from perfect. I read the book at an early age (and did not care for it much at the time). It did not deter from my enjoying everything Luhrmann throws at us. Speaking of which, he does not throw much, as he is wont to. Cases in point - 'Moulin Rouge', 'Australia'. I don't know if he elected to go subdued for this one, or if it was a result of Drew Pearce's re-writes, or I've become conditioned to the Luhrmann brand of opulence and excess. In either case, the acting is top-notch, except for the 1-note performances from Mulligan and Edgerton (not their fault really, it's the way Luhrmann chooses to play their respective arcs).
The richest role, IMO, surprisingly belongs to our protagonist, Tobey Maguire, and though he also receives a (kinda) raw deal from Luhrmann, firmly sinks his teeth into the material, this being his lead role in ages (not counting 'The details'). Leo does a great job, but we have come to expect nothing less from him, esp. after 'The departed', 'Revolutionary road', 'Shutter island', 'Django unchained' and Luhrmann's earlier take on 'Romeo and Juliet'.
The 3D is great, and comparable to Scorsese's use of immersive filmmaking from 'The re-invention of Hugo Cabret'. The production design is magnificent, though I am not the right person to judge if it's impeccable from the standpoint of how it all was in 20s NYC (Comments welcome on that front too; I genuinely would like to know). I also did enjoy the use of contemporary music in this period piece, though I went in expecting to be turned off by that aspect.
All in all, a good time at the movies, and deserves to be watched on the big screen for sure.