Carmen - A Hip Hopera
Recasting Bizet's classic opera as a musical tale in the 'hood,Carmen: A Hip Hoperaproves that the plot's not the thing. By retaining the story but jettisoning Bizet's individual musical numbers that propel the tragedy to its inevitable conclusion, thisCarmenfounders on familiarity: it's just another soap opera about two lovers whose tryst proves fatal.  Occasionally, the music quotes Bizet's famous themes, but most of the rapping and singing sound interchangeable. What makes thisCarmenworth seeing, however, is the scintillating performance of Beyoncé Knowles (of the trioDestiny's Child) in the lead role. From her first entrance in a dazzling red gown, Knowles shows off a vibrant, magnetic personality; the camera loves her, as her group's many music videos have shown, but they only hint at how impressively she holds the screen.  Can she act? The jury's still out, butCarmen: A Hip Hopera--however disappointing this hybrid is in most ways--showcases a compelling movie-star presence.--Kevin Filipski