For the most part, 'the Greatest Showman' was truly a great watch. A feel-good whimsical movie.

Rating: 8/10 (12 January 2018)

Ladies and Gentlemen and Children of All Ages! 'The Greatest Showman' has arrived. Directed by Michael Gracey, the film showcase, the visionary of P.T Barnum (Hugh Jackman) who rose from nothing to create one of the greatest shows on Earth. Without spoiling the movie, too much, much like the real-life, promoter, this movie is here to entertains, and it completely succeeds in doing so. Nevertheless, it came without a few criticism from groups whom felt outrage & revulsion for what they deem as somewhat offensive overly exploitative of the physical impaired. Much like 1932's 'Freaks', a similar film before this, they're overlooking the positive incentives on showing people with impairments. Stories with characters with physical difficulties can help build understanding, compassion, and tolerance among viewers who don't face those challenges -- as well as give those who do a chance to see relatable people on screen. As a man of many physical challenges, I champion this portrayal, even if some of the disabled characters are played by able-bodied performers like Keala Settle, as the bearded lady, Lettie Lutz. As for the film portrayal of race. I also welcome the mostly positive portrayal of it, even if parts of it can be seemed as scientific racism, due to the fact that color of the skin, was group as an 'oddity', by Barnum's way of showmanship. Nevertheless, it's not as offensive as it could had been. After all, the film doesn't bring up, the fact that the real-life, Barnum bought slaves for blackface minstrel show, despite possessed, many anti-slavery convictions. Nevertheless, some of the artistic liberties about him, in this film, is still, a bit jarring, such as not, portraying any of his significantly involvement in politics, leading up to the American Civil War. It would had made, the reasons, why some people want to burn his museum, more convincing than the surface-level negative public attitudes about the theater as "dens of evil'. While, I would had wish the movie was a little more open in exploring, more of the complexity social issues of the time. I didn't mind, for the most part, the film playing it safe with a water down version to make it more family-friendly. After all, it's supposed to be, musical escapism, not a historic accuracy biography film. However, there are two things, I didn't like about this portrayal of history. One is the villainess disservice to Swedish singer, Jenny Lind (Rebecca Ferguson) by painting her as the evil jilted lover of Barnum. In real-life, they broke up, not due to a botch romantic relationship, but over marketing. Nothing really sinister. Secondary, Barnum's company nearly went out of business, due to bad property investments, not Lind's tour. In truth, Lind made Barnum, a lot amount of cash. The other thing, I didn't like about this movie was the idea, it was saying that Barnum invented the modern circus, which is highly misleading. In fact, the first modern circus was introduce to the public, 100 years earlier, by performer Philip Astley in 1770 & the first circus tent was introduce in 1838 by Thomas Cooke. Barnum didn't really start his show business until much later, after his lottery business went under. Honestly, it wasn't until his most well-known partnership with James A. Bailey that his museum show started to look like, 'the Greatest Show on Earth' of today. Despite that, the high-energy, upbeat, choreography dance & acrobatic action, throughout this movie very effectively evoke the ambiance of the circus's reckless, but daring persona, even it's not historical accuracy. While, the fake-looking CGI effects that went along with it, is kinda jolting to look at. It didn't really bother me, as much as it should had. Maybe, it's because all the musical numbers written by songwriters, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who also wrote the songs for the acclaim, 2016's musical, 'La La Land', were pretty memorable. No wonder, why the songs are winning awards. Catchy songs like 'This is Me', 'A Million Dreams', 'Never Enough' & others is the heart of this film. It had me, singing along in my seat. I don't care, if the music choice does not match the time period. They were catchy & enjoyable. As for singing. It's a mixed bag for me. Most of the singing from the cast was great; Ferguson as Lind, & Michelle Williams as Barnum's wife, Charity, were the only ones that were disappointing, as they had to be vocal-over. As for the acting, Jackman's performance, is a joy to watch, in spite of looking nothing like the real-life partially bald, promoter. As for supporting actors like Zac Efron; this is one of the few roles, I like him in, even if his character, Phillip Carlyle is highly fictional version of Bailey. Even, Zendaya was good in her role, as Anne Wheeler doing all of her own trapeze stunts. Yet, I just the film had more subtlety with the character's story between the musical numbers, a little more. The film does seem a bit rushed, with the focus going from one song and dance number to the next. It cause a lot of befuddling. Some confusing areas are with Barnum's career, grown. The film doesn't showcase enough. After all, some of Barnum's major attractions are either gloss over, left out or only hinted at, such as the infamous "mermaid". Even Barnum's relationship with the 'freaks' & the circus animals get very little screen-time. Perhaps in order, not to get the audience to dig too deep into the controversies of the circus' history. Nevertheless, their out of the blue, appearance, once in the while, were really perplexing at times. Another one that came out of nowhere, is the relationship subplot between co-owner, Carlyle & Wheeler. When did it started and how!? Nevertheless, things like that, could had been work better. Despite that, overall: while this crowd-pleasing movie a bit campy and hokey with old-timey surface-level sentiment at times. 'The Greatest Showman' is a show still worth watching. Highly recommended.