At the movies: Jackman back with musical about circus guru
The imagination of P.T. Barnum is explored in the whimsical film new to theaters this weekend.
Michael Gracey, who is new to the director’s chair with several visual effects credits to his name, is the man behind “The Greatest Showman.”
An all-star cast leads the musical drama that follows the Barnum & Bailey Circus and the men and women behind the scenes.
Audiences will follow P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman, “Logan” and “Les Miserables”), Charity Barnum (Michelle Williams, “Blue Valentine” and “Brokeback Mountain”), Phillip Carlyle (Zac Efron, “High School Musical” and “The Lucky One”), Anne Wheeler (Zendaya, “Spider-Man: Homecoming” and “Shake It Up!”), Jenny Lind (Rebecca Ferguson, “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” and “Despite the Falling Snow”) James Gordon Bennett (Paul Sparks, “House of Cards” and “Boardwalk Empire”) Queen Victoria (Gayle Rankin, “GLOW” and “Frank the Bastard”) Mrs. Winthrop (Tina Benko, “The Avengers” and “That Awkward Moment”) and Mr. Hallett (Fredric Lehne, “Men in Black” and “The Dark Knight Rises”).
According to the media review website, RottenTomatoes.com, 94 percent of users want to see “The Greatest Showman.”
Little has been released about the film, though Gracey told Vogue in an interview that the film is “High’s passion piece.”
“He championed this film,” Gracey said.
He also commented on the soundtrack of the musical biopic, and how it balances with the tone of the film.
“The music is a mash-up of musical theater and pop, and the choreography mixes contemporary and classical elements,” Gracey added.
The very man behind a bulk of those musical numbers is no stranger to musicals. Rather, Jackman has experience on the stage and screen, whether for award shows, films, Broadway or television.
“Thankfully musicals are coming back. I’m thrilled that ‘La La Land’ did so well, I think a lot of people saw ‘La La Land’ who may not normally have seen it,” Jackman was quoted as saying in a Deadline article. “When we first approached the studio about doing this [in 2009], there had not been an original movie musical in 23 years. It was considered just too risky. So anyway, it’s a great thrill to be in it.”
The film is rated PG for thematic elements including a brawl.
Other movies that are arriving in theaters this weekend include:
n “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” featuring Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart and Jack Black, directed by Jake Kasdan, follows videogamers in the game’s jungle setting.
The film is rated PG-13.
n “Pitch Perfect 3” featuring Rube Rose, Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow and Hailee Steinfeld, directed by Trish Sie, is the third installment of the singing competition franchise.
The film is rated PG-13.
n “Downsizing” directed by Alexander Payne, starring Matt Damon, Christoph Waltz, Hong Chau and Kristen Wiig, is about a man convinced he should shrink himself.
The film is rated R.