Critics hated Vertigo too... and Psycho... and The Big Lebowski... need I continue?

Rating: 1/10 (27 December 2017)

I honestly believe what we are experiencing right now with this movie is an example of a term I refer to as "Blade Runner-itis," simply because it happened most prominently with Blade Runner. It's a condition where criticism for a masterpiece is so inherently negative on its original reviews simply because it is so unique in what it does that there is nothing previous with which to compare it and therefore cannot be immediately understood. Critics, while not entirely simplistic, gloss over anything they cannot immediately understand as bad and therefore these masterpieces are overlooked for a short time.
With this film, for example, it's actually a good thing that it uses so much in-genuine things like overly choreographed sequences and frequent auto-tune. The whole idea the movie presents is that Barnum achieved his whole legacy on lies. He's not REALLY creating something beautiful, he's simply putting on a show... because he's "The Greatest Showman..." the greatest liar. He promises all these performers a wonderful place to thrive and end their ridicule, only to toss them aside and abandon them. The auto-tune and unrealistic amount of choreography is another lie. There are two stand out sequences (I won't reveal what they are, no spoilers) which are the only sequences not auto-tuned, if I am correct, where the emotion is more genuine. This happens when the characters realize they've been duped and been tricked by fraud and consumed by the beautiful lie and thus seek to undo the lie. Critics complaining that the film promotes Barnum instead of vilifying his lying, scheming nature frankly either didn't watch the film at all... or are just idiotic.