Chicago

Wow.  One thing I'd like to say about Chicago is: what a show!  When Shakespeare said that "all the world's a stage,"  someone took him at his word.  This entire film is based around turning life into an act and giving the world something to look at.  When Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) murders her lover for lying and leaving, she has no idea that she'll become a star overnight; in Chicago, as Mama Morton (Queen Latifah) says, "murder is a form of entertainment."  But Roxie's got some competition in the Six Merry Murderesses of the Cook County Jail, particularly in the famous Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones), accused of murdering her husband and her co-star sister after finding them together.  Things start to look up for Roxie when she manages to hire the talented Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), the lawyer who has never lost a case for a female client.  Glittering and glamorous pandemonium ensues as Billy sets up the whole show, for, as he says, "Razzle dazzle 'em, and they'll never catch wise!"  It's a story of song, dance, scandal, murder, and all that jazz!

Hands down, the greatest part of this film is the musical numbers, which tie in so well with the storyline.  Though the actual setting is pretty drab and depressing, the glamorous song and dance acts spice up the entire movie.  The ones I would like to note particularly are "The Cell-Block Tango," "All That Jazz," and "We Both Reached for the Gun."  "Cell-Block Tango" is wonderfully choreographed and filmed, especially the murderess' use of red handkerchiefs and male dancers to demonstrate their different forms of murder.  The irony of a sexy dance number with scantily-clad women singing about their murder of men who "had it comin'" is fantastic.  Catherine Zeta-Jones does a lovely job singing "All That Jazz."  Visually, Katelyn and I agree that "Cell-Block Tango" is the best number in the film, but musically, "All That Jazz" takes the cake, hands down.  Of course, we must also mention the runner-up, "We Both Reached for the Gun," where Renee Zellweger shows her true ability to act.  She plays the part of Billy Flynn's puppet, and she is eerily convincing as a wooden doll being controlled and voiced by Billy Flynn.  It's a fantastic number showing Billy's control and manipulation of the press.  I'd have to say that the soundtrack for this film (or the Broadway musical on which it's based) would be worth the money.

Overall, I think this is a new favorite film of mine.  It's incredibly well-done visually, musically, and acting-wise.  I wouldn't suggest it for the kids, since unlike Sullivan's Travels, there's actually a bit more than a little sex in it (nothing explicit, but still) plus several instances of cursing and rather rude name-calling.  Don't forget the part about the entire film focusing on women committing murder and getting acquitted by lying, cheating, and putting on a show.

Katelyn:
Just like Singin' in the Rain, I first saw this as a stage show.  I have to say that they both have their strengths, but a film allows for more flexibility than a stage production.  The stage production I saw was much more vaudeville-esqe throughout, which for some numbers (such as "All That Jazz") worked better.  The choreography in the film is much more advanced simply because it does not have to be performed every single night like it would if it was shown live and because the music could be dubbed over.  Believe me, going through the dance work in "Cell Block Tango" would have most people gasping for air.  I really love this film and it's soundtrack alone has great listening value.  I know I, for one, will have "All that Jazz" and "Cell Block Tango" stuck in my head for at least a week.  (Another reason children probably shouldn't watch this- you don't want your child singing Start the car/ I know a whoopee spot/ Where the gin is cold/ and the piano's hot and a whole host of more suggestive lyrics on the playground.  And believe me.  They will).
As blasphemous as theater buffs would think this to be, I think I pref'erred the film. There I said it.  Catherine Zeta-Jones was wonderful in her role of Velma, and Queen Laifah's portrayal of Mama was excellent.  Richard Gere's Billy Flynn screamed "greasy lawyer" and exuded that brand of corruption Chicago is so famous for.  Sorry Chicago dwellers.  Don't worry, we bet on which politicians will end up in the clink like we bet on football.  You're not alone.  All in all, this film embodied all I loved about the stage production and added a new dimension to it.  The other plus side... you guessed it!  A dvd is portable.  A stage is decidedly not.

We have agreed to give this film an A.  Really, it's that good, fabulous, fantastic, excellent, wonderful, and all that jazz.

-V+K

PS: I wanted to mention that all the actors did their own singing and dancing, something which I thought was very impressive.