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Chicago
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment // PG-13 // August 19, 2003
List Price: $29.99 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
THE MOVIE
Forget the fact that Renee Zellweger isn't much of a dancer and Richard Gere isn't much of a singer, the fact is that Chicago is one fun little movie that built up enough positive press and audience acceptance that it captured the award for Best Picture at the last Oscar ceremony. Was it really the best picture of 2002? Probably not, but that doesn't mean it's not a very good picture that should get plenty of replay in your DVD player – especially if you're a fan of musicals.
The smart thing that director Rob Marshall did with the movie is that he made all the musical numbers (except the opening one, which takes place in a nightclub) happen inside the mind of the main characters, thus preserving the reality of the storyline while still incorporating musical numbers. And while Zellweger and Gere may not be the best choices to put in a musical, they do what is asked of them nicely – especially Gere who gives one of his more enjoyable performances to date. But the real stars of the show are Catherine Zeta Jones, Queen Latifah and John C. Riley, who not only shine in their own individual numbers (Jones has more than one), but show off their acting talent as well, and are really the heart and soul of this picture.
Although it's neither as lavish or as daring as 2001's Moulin Rouge, Chicago is far more accessible to a mainstream audience and far more likely to cause you to sing along with the movie (as opposed to Moulin Rouge, which at times just had you scratching your head trying to figure out what was going on).
Chicago may not be the perfect musical for the new millennium, but it's a step in the right direction. It's mostly light and fluffy fun, but who says a movie has to be "deep" to be enjoyable?
THE DVD
Video:
For a film with such bright, extravagant images, I must confess to being slightly…just slightly…disappointed with the video quality of this DVD. While the picture on the whole is nicely transferred, it seemed to me that there was just a touch of "softness" to the video. The transfer just seemed to lack some of the bright colors I remember in the theater, as almost if it was toned back a notch or two. Perhaps I've been spoiled by the Moulin Rouge transfer or perhaps I'm just imagining things…but all in all, there's not a lot to complain about here, other than the fact that the video wasn't quite as good as I was hoping for, although still well done. The picture is anamorphic, and presented at the 1.85:1 ratio.
Audio:
Viewers will have an option of listening to a 5.1 Track or a DTS Track (there's also a French 5.1 Track) and I didn't notice much difference between the two, although the DTS track is (as always seems to be the case) preferable to the 5.1 Track. The audio sounds good, but seems to be very stationary. Unlike the best DTS and 5.1 Tracks, where a good track makes you feel like you are in the middle of the action, this one just makes you feel like everything's going on in front of you.
Extras:
For a movie that won the Oscar for Best Picture, the amount of extras on this DVD are somewhat disappointing. In addition to the typical Chapter Selection, the DVD contains a 28-minute Behind the Scenes Special which is your only chance on this disc to see interviews and some video from the actual filming of the movie. There's also a video for "All That Jazz" at the very end of the Behind the Scenes segment.
Perhaps the most interesting bonus for fans of the film will be the Deleted Musical Number "Class" which was cut from the final version of the film. This deleted scene features Catherine Zeta-Jones and Queen Latifah in a short number that lasts (including dialogue) about four minutes. According to the commentary (which can be turned on or off during this scene) this number was cut because it didn't test well with audiences. It's not hard to figure out why. Compared to the other numbers in Chicago, this one is slow, unmemorable and quite raunchy as far as the lyrics are concerned.
Also on the DVD is a Feature Length Commentary with director Rob Marshall and screenwriter Bill Condon, which is probably the most entertaining bonus on the disc, with just the right mix of information, stories from the set and insight into the making of the film.
Finally, in the "What were they thinking?" category, Miramax has thrown in a Sneak Peeks section which includes promos for Miramax movies, the Chicago soundtrack and the made-for-TV Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows (all of which makes sense) – but also contains a trailer for the slapstick (and what looks to be god-awful) upcoming Ben Stiller/Drew Barrymore comedy Duplex and an ad for the cable network SoapNet, which makes you wonder what kind of audience Miramax thinks will be picking up this DVD.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Hey, the movie won Best Picture…am I going to tell you not to pick it up? (Okay, but only if it was The English Patient!) Chicago isn't going to be remembered as one of the best musicals of all time, but it is fun to watch, will have you signing along, and has a high replayability value. So unless you're really opposed to seeing scantily clad women (and Richard Gere!) prance about and show off their stuff, I think Chicago is a great vacation spot for you and your DVD player to visit.
Forget the fact that Renee Zellweger isn't much of a dancer and Richard Gere isn't much of a singer, the fact is that Chicago is one fun little movie that built up enough positive press and audience acceptance that it captured the award for Best Picture at the last Oscar ceremony. Was it really the best picture of 2002? Probably not, but that doesn't mean it's not a very good picture that should get plenty of replay in your DVD player – especially if you're a fan of musicals.
The smart thing that director Rob Marshall did with the movie is that he made all the musical numbers (except the opening one, which takes place in a nightclub) happen inside the mind of the main characters, thus preserving the reality of the storyline while still incorporating musical numbers. And while Zellweger and Gere may not be the best choices to put in a musical, they do what is asked of them nicely – especially Gere who gives one of his more enjoyable performances to date. But the real stars of the show are Catherine Zeta Jones, Queen Latifah and John C. Riley, who not only shine in their own individual numbers (Jones has more than one), but show off their acting talent as well, and are really the heart and soul of this picture.
Although it's neither as lavish or as daring as 2001's Moulin Rouge, Chicago is far more accessible to a mainstream audience and far more likely to cause you to sing along with the movie (as opposed to Moulin Rouge, which at times just had you scratching your head trying to figure out what was going on).
Chicago may not be the perfect musical for the new millennium, but it's a step in the right direction. It's mostly light and fluffy fun, but who says a movie has to be "deep" to be enjoyable?
THE DVD
Video:
For a film with such bright, extravagant images, I must confess to being slightly…just slightly…disappointed with the video quality of this DVD. While the picture on the whole is nicely transferred, it seemed to me that there was just a touch of "softness" to the video. The transfer just seemed to lack some of the bright colors I remember in the theater, as almost if it was toned back a notch or two. Perhaps I've been spoiled by the Moulin Rouge transfer or perhaps I'm just imagining things…but all in all, there's not a lot to complain about here, other than the fact that the video wasn't quite as good as I was hoping for, although still well done. The picture is anamorphic, and presented at the 1.85:1 ratio.
Audio:
Viewers will have an option of listening to a 5.1 Track or a DTS Track (there's also a French 5.1 Track) and I didn't notice much difference between the two, although the DTS track is (as always seems to be the case) preferable to the 5.1 Track. The audio sounds good, but seems to be very stationary. Unlike the best DTS and 5.1 Tracks, where a good track makes you feel like you are in the middle of the action, this one just makes you feel like everything's going on in front of you.
Extras:
For a movie that won the Oscar for Best Picture, the amount of extras on this DVD are somewhat disappointing. In addition to the typical Chapter Selection, the DVD contains a 28-minute Behind the Scenes Special which is your only chance on this disc to see interviews and some video from the actual filming of the movie. There's also a video for "All That Jazz" at the very end of the Behind the Scenes segment.
Perhaps the most interesting bonus for fans of the film will be the Deleted Musical Number "Class" which was cut from the final version of the film. This deleted scene features Catherine Zeta-Jones and Queen Latifah in a short number that lasts (including dialogue) about four minutes. According to the commentary (which can be turned on or off during this scene) this number was cut because it didn't test well with audiences. It's not hard to figure out why. Compared to the other numbers in Chicago, this one is slow, unmemorable and quite raunchy as far as the lyrics are concerned.
Also on the DVD is a Feature Length Commentary with director Rob Marshall and screenwriter Bill Condon, which is probably the most entertaining bonus on the disc, with just the right mix of information, stories from the set and insight into the making of the film.
Finally, in the "What were they thinking?" category, Miramax has thrown in a Sneak Peeks section which includes promos for Miramax movies, the Chicago soundtrack and the made-for-TV Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows (all of which makes sense) – but also contains a trailer for the slapstick (and what looks to be god-awful) upcoming Ben Stiller/Drew Barrymore comedy Duplex and an ad for the cable network SoapNet, which makes you wonder what kind of audience Miramax thinks will be picking up this DVD.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Hey, the movie won Best Picture…am I going to tell you not to pick it up? (Okay, but only if it was The English Patient!) Chicago isn't going to be remembered as one of the best musicals of all time, but it is fun to watch, will have you signing along, and has a high replayability value. So unless you're really opposed to seeing scantily clad women (and Richard Gere!) prance about and show off their stuff, I think Chicago is a great vacation spot for you and your DVD player to visit.
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