The Greatest Showman is a simply joyful musical — and will probably receive some Oscar nods
Just like La La Land, this movie has seriously memorable pop bangers and the dancing is delightful to watch
MY movie year started with a delightful musical (La La Land) so it seems fitting it should end with one too.
The Greatest Showman sets its stall out early with an absolute pop banger (written by the same team behind La La Land) that could easily have come from Pink or One Republic.
Hugh Jackman is P.T. Barnum, the creator of the circus as we know it and this raucous musical is his story.
We learn how a financial crash prompted him into a disastrous attempt to open a curiosity museum.
But a chance encounter with a real-life Tom Thumb gave him the idea to create a show full of the strangest people on the planet.
From this foundation, fortunes are made, but will his band of misfits ever be accepted? Oh, come on!
Jackman fits the role like a glove and looks like he’s having the time of his life, along with the entire ensemble (in particular Zendaya and Zac Efron).
The songs are toe-tappingly memorable, the dancing is joyous and it looks rich and velvety.
It really is a joy to watch.
Although the film often forgets to stop force-feeding you its messages and relax, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it up for some Oscar nods next year.
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The Greatest Showman
(PG) 105 mins
★★★★☆