*sigh*

Warbler said:

saw it last night.  could have been better, ALOT better.   Russel Crowe was the wrong choice for Javert.  He does not have the vocal range.  I think most of the cast didn't have the vocal range of Les Mis.  I could tell where there had been cuts made.  It was clear they cut the beginnings of a few of the songs.   And not only didn't 'Do you the people sing" not immediately after "Red and Black"  but they put it after "One More Day" wrong, wrong, wwwwwwwrroooonnnnnnnnnggggg!

 

*sigh*  what could have been. *shakes head* what could have been.   yet another in the long line of Hollywood f___ups of Broadway classics.    *sigh* 

when I say it could have been a lot better  what I mean is, compare

this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDa9Kj35izg

to

this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlOUqC1MtPM

see what I mean?

Russel Crowe would have been a perfectly acceptable Javert in the community theater production of Les Mis in a church basement. 

I picked up the "Complete Symphonic Recording" album.

WOW, that's a lot of synthesizers, and sometimes Javert rocks out with electric guitar.

I mean, the synth line is so thick at some points it sounds like the Doctor Who theme in the background. 

Watched "Sweeney Todd" (2007) last night.

Depp and BonhamCarter are both not good enough singers to sing those part. BUT they make up for it with extremely well developed performances. Depp is just oozing with hate, and HelenaBonham is quite funny.

Gerard Butler is not anywhere near good enough to be The Phantom of the Opera, but he exudes so much raw primal passion and sexuality his performance still has something to grab onto and enjoy.

Crowe as Javert sucks even more in comparison. He can't sing the part, and also just kind of wanders around looking mad and confused. 

yeah, wouldn't it be nice if Hollywood got people who could actually sing to star in the musicals? 

name recognition.   I can't stand the argument.   Use the people that can do the role best.    As for the Oscars,  I am willing to bet if the movie had used the kind of cast that used in 25th anniversary concert,  it would have won best picture.

Warbler said:

I am willing to bet if the movie had used the kind of cast that used in 25th anniversary concert,  it would have won best picture.

Not a chance! If it wouldn't have had big name actors in it, the Oscars wouldn't have even payed it a bit of attention. It is as much a popularity contest as it is anything else.  

If you say so.

*sigh*

CP3S said:

Warbler said:

I am willing to bet if the movie had used the kind of cast that used in 25th anniversary concert,  it would have won best picture.

Not a chance! If it wouldn't have had big name actors in it, the Oscars wouldn't have even payed it a bit of attention. It is as much a popularity contest as it is anything else.  

I agree with CP3S, and no way theyd ave gotten that budget with Alfie Boll. 

That being said, Jackman and Hathaway are huge stars. Couldn't they have done without Crowe, who is a big deal, but not at their level of bankability anymore? I doubt he sold a lot of tickets to this thing. 

Warbler said:

If you say so.

Before just writing off what I said with a Mexican food order, why not rebuttal with something productive, like telling me when the last time a production not featuring major stars won an Oscar in a category other than "short film", "foreign film", or "documentary".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQk8WtpvloY&feature=youtu.be

Check out this awesome vid comparing a number of notable Javerts singing"Stars." It's awesome! and the dude who edited it is totally sexy!

CP3S said:

Warbler said:

If you say so.

Before just writing off what I said with a Mexican food order, why not rebuttal with something productive, like telling me when the last time a production not featuring major stars won an Oscar in a category other than "short film", "foreign film", or "documentary".

2011 best picture winner 'The artist', was that a big time cast?

2008 best picture winner 'Slumdog Millionaire', was  that a big time cast?

1984 best picture winner 'Amadeus'  the star of that movie, F. Murray Abraham, was just doing underwear commercials before making this film!

CP3S, have you ever watch the 25th or the 10th anniversary concert of Les Miserables?   I think you really need to, in order understand how different this can be will people who can really sing.    I highly recommend you do, they are very enjoyable.