LadyN1

(2012-04-20 22:10:56)

This is what happens when Coyote Ugly meets Showgirls with glitter

If I had to describe Burlesque in one word it would be generic. Its thetypical movie-musical plot country girl comes to the big city, risesfrom the bottom to the top finding love on the way BLAH BLAH BLAH. Nowthis isn't really a criticism its just that the movie his sopredictable at points you can probably guess what happens from justwatching the trailer. BUT it isn't meant to be some complex drama orsome sort of social satire or whatever or even high art Burlesque isjust a feel good film. Its pure entertainment no more no less. Andconsidering the 2010- early 2011 period has been filled with the hardstuff like The King's Speech and True Grit or the visually aweinspiring yet still very Gothic Black Swan, its nice to have a bit oflight stuff to sink your movie going teeth into. Christina Aguilera gives a good performance as Ali- the girl who batsher eyelashes and just wants to sing. However its really ChristinaAguilera's vocals that are the star of the show. One of Burlesque'sbest points are the fact that we get to see just how extraordinaryChristina's range is, something I feel is important in re-establishingChristina as one of the leading vocalists of today. Especially with theemergence of new popstars like Lady Gaga and with the somewhatdisappointing release and reception for her latest album Bionic.Christina still proves the reason for all those Grammy's mounted on herwall.The other star of the show is Cher, who is responsible in essence forthe heart of the show. Her character is tough, stubborn and sometimeshard to work with, but Cher brings life into this Devil WearsPradaesque character so that people realise the devotion that hercharacter has to the Burlesque joint. Its touching. Easily the bestacting performance out of the cast.Then the supporting cast particularly Stanley Gucci and Cam Gigant areworth mentioning though to be honest I really did feel that this filmwas a Christinafest and it was being used to promote her or to perhapslaunch a potential acting career. I mean the songs weren't particularlymemorable with the exception of the title song which rather laughablyis the last number in the film. The film is rather slow at getting Alicentre stage but after that it really takes off and becomes quiteenjoyable. Overall its a good piece of entertainment and while it won'tbe regarded as one of the best films of 2010 its still worth checkingout.

Daniel M. Kimmel

(2012-04-20 07:54:39)

It may not be the main course for the Thanksgiving weekend, but it's a pretty tasty dessert.

(2012-04-20 09:44:02)

This is what Chicago 2002 could have been....

This has what Chicago 2002 doesn`t: great musical talents in the leading roles. It suffers from a weak script, but improved upon by the star quality of the three principals; Cher, Anguilera and Gigandet.The musical numbers however are ace and reminiscent of the 1972 Cabaret starring Liza Minnelli, Joel Grey and Michael York.Christina steals the show and the only real weak spot is the intro to Cher`s big number "You Haven`t Seen the Last of Me!" - the dj asks - "have you got the time to do it"(or something like that) and she answers "Oh I completely forgot.... yeah ok - let`s do it".. ooooh woops....The song and performance are however of vintage Cher quality.This film belongs in every shelf of a musical lover:)(:

(2012-04-19 21:30:49)

Burlesque

I rented this particular movie before purchasing it, and I did enjoy the amazing choreography, the music, and the costumes. As for the plot? You would do better to watch this movie on mute until the musical scenes are playing. You'd be doing yourself a favor. Still, I did end up purchasing it, and I gave it 4 stars because of the music, choreography, etc.

(2012-04-11 05:40:16)

Fun! Campy! Really enjoyable!

This is one of those movies that will be appreciated over a long time and have a cult following for its camp value. It's truly just a fun movie with AMAZING dancing, costumes, big time musical numbers, and of course singing from legendary divas Cher and Christina Aguilera. The story is pretty typical, if not done the death. Simple small-town girl Christina Aguilera has Hollywood dreams. Her talent and passion takes her LA where she finds herself waitressing in a burlesque club owned by Cher. Soon enough Christina becomes a star for the club. A lot of other things happen in between that just make you smile and shake your head at the same time. The movie is almost shameless in how cheesy it is but it doesn't come off as being cheap or desperate. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

jonathanruano

(2012-04-10 14:00:20)

Ho-hum film

"Burlesque" is not so much a bad film as an unnecessary film. Theprotagonist Ali (Christina Aguillera) walks into the "Burlesque" clubone day and wants to work there as a dancer. She eventually becomes adancer who apparently can also sing. Accompanying this plot line is apredictable love affair involving Ali and a love interest, Tess's(Cher) valiant efforts to raise enough money to pay off the mortgage sothat the bank does not foreclose on the club (a plot recycled fromdozens of other films), the jealous dancer who feels threatened by Ali(saw that before many times), and an evil developer who wants to teardown the club so that he can build a big sky scraper with nice views ofthe ocean. I suspect that if Ayn Rand was in charge of writing thescreenplay, the developer would be the hero in this movie and Tesswould be the evil collectivist. If you don't understand the joke,nevermind...The problem with this film is there is nothing new, or entertaining,about the story line. Or, put another way, if I had to decide whetherto make the screenplay for "Burlesque" into a movie, I would be askingmyself, "What is the point of turning this script into a movie?" Theother problem with "Burlesque" is the set. According to wikipedia, thismovie apparent cost $55 million to make. Yet looking at the sets, Ihave no idea where the money went. The "Burlesque" club looks like acheap strip club where the strippers keep all their clothes on. Yes,that's right folks! Not only are you made to feel cheap going to this"Burlesque" club, but you also do not see women getting naked for yourpains -- which explains why this movie qualified for PG-13.The only plus in this film are its occasionally interesting characters.Christina Aguillera's sluttish dancing is always appreciated and awelcome distraction from the film's boring plot. Sadly, though,Aguillera appears to lip sink so much of her singing, contrary to thescreenplay's premise that she is the only dancer who sings her ownsongs. The Cher character can also be interesting, partly because Cheris an interesting person in real life. Stanley Tucci repeats his warmhearted performance as the nice homosexual from films, like "the DevilWears Prada" and "Easy A," and he sort of pulls it off. There isnothing new in Stanley Tucci's performance, but he reminds you of anold friend that you do mind having a chance meeting with now and then.But overall there are better ways that you can spend your two hoursthan watching "Burlesque" -- perhaps by going to a strip club.

(2012-04-04 01:05:11)

Christina Soars!!!

My wife and I really enjoyed this movie. I had just learned a year or two that Christina Aguilera has "the voice", and is the real deal. With so many getting the Diva nod these days, she must be one of the very few Divas' Divas. But I didn't realize how right on this take was until we saw Burlesque! Whoa!!! When the curtain was coming down, and then Cher says to stop the dropping curtain, my timbers were already shivering! And even I'm not sure what that means! The power of that voice!!! It's a cute movie, and yes, a bit contrived. What isn't these days! But as one reviewer noted, there's good chemistry between Cher and Christina, and it's a decent vehicle to showcase the production numbers. And those production numbers! Have a look at the trailer; the number "I am a good girl" is everywhere. Great to see Cher still going strong and a good number from her that won a Globe! Chicago got raves with three song and dance amateurs (?) out front, and here's a Diva who, like Cher, will be around for decades, in her big screen debut. Cher appreciates it, and I've always appreciated C/her. It's a good show, and she, Christina, is "a good girl"! Truly! (What did happen to those pearls?)

iam-karmakiller

(2012-04-03 14:17:00)

Burlesque?

I watched this movie last Wednesday because of a burlesque party thatwas organized that night. I wanted to get some inspiration for acostume, so what else to watch? If I should describe the movie in oneword it would be 'fast'. The movie starts at a far away middle ofnowhere town where you meet the usual-farm-girl-with-big-dreams(Christina). In 5 minutes she decides to go away and in less then fiveminutes she is in L.A., has an apartment and is looking for a job. Themovie could better start at the minute where she arrives: that would beless fast.The whole movie goes fast and is really predictable, but is good enoughto watch when you're having a girls night 'cause you can predicteverything so quickly, you won't even have to pay attention to it.But well, doesn't Christina looks beautiful in all those costumes?

(2012-04-02 10:09:00)

Burlesque DVD

This review is from: Burlesque (DVD) This is a fabulous movie. Cher can still bat out the songs and I was blown away by Christina Aquilera singing.

John Britton

(2012-04-02 06:39:18)

Does exactly what it says on the box, and does it well

Cher! Christina! Sequins! You know exactly what you're getting intowith this movie. And it's director Steve Antin's same approach thatmakes 'Burlesque' click. A movie like this will never be mistaken asbrilliant cinema and Antin wisely keeps the politics light and thenarrative tight, focusing instead on the towering presence of his twodivalicious stars and a series of well-crafted musical numbers. Theresult is a competently-made, paper-thin pleasure that would be easy tocriticise if it weren't so deftly handled. Christina Aguilera (as thesmall-town girl with big-time ambitions in a story that's been told athousand times before) is no Meryl Streep but she holds her own hereand truly excels when given the opportunity to do what she does best;put that incredible set of pipes centre-stage for her manyshow-stopping musical numbers. It's Showgirls-minus-smut meetsCabaret-minus-social-commentary. Cher, of course, tears up the screenand owns every shot she's in and it's an absolute thrill to watch thisGrand-Dame of Divadom back in the musical spotlight. Stanley Tucci andKristen Bell give able support in roles they have both played before,and 'Burlesque' brings all these elements together in a way that makesyou want to watch it over again whilst at the same time beingnot-quite-brilliant. The 14A rating means it's lacking the edge thatcould've elevated this to camp-classic status but as an unapologetic,well directed and good looking treat this hits all the right buttons.Oh, and the soundtrack rocks.

(2012-03-24 05:14:54)

AMAZING MOVIE!

This review is from: Burlesque (DVD) I saw this movie in the theater and I knew as soon as it came out I had to buy it! Amazing Acting dancing and singing! I loved Moulin Rouge and Chicago but this topped it off!

Nathan Rabin

(2012-03-23 13:57:21)

A terrible film that will delight nearly everyone who sees it, whether they're 12-year-old Christina Aguilera fans or bad-movie buffs angling for a guilty pleasure.

(2012-03-19 10:45:53)

Fantastic musical numbers

This review is from: Burlesque (DVD) Not quite sure why this film made no money in the theatres, musicals are such an underappreciated lot these days. But if you like Christina's and/or Cher's voice(s) and big, splashy dance numbers, you have to see it. The music and costumes will blow you away!

Lisa Schwarzbaum

(2012-03-19 01:00:15)

Maybe Burlesque will serve as the imitation goods that spurs a consumer revolution for something more authentic. Aw, who am I kidding? It won't.

Mikael

(2012-03-18 11:52:06)

A whole new level of Turkey!

This film should never have left somebody's to-do list! Cher would havebeen fab – had she not tried desperately to look 20 (really?). Can youimagine how great she would have been if she looked her real age, withat least a few wrinkles, and lips that do not resemble bagels stuck toher teeth. And miss Aguilera really needs to fire all her hair andmakeup people and get herself a personality. Her look in the movie isso schizophrenic that you finally aren't quite sure if it is her, or anew cast member appearing in every scene. The end result is as ifsomeone taped together an endless loop of different music videotryouts... Save your money and revisit "Cabaret". That film got itright. And seemingly without effort.

Susan Granger

(2012-03-17 19:14:52)

Shimmying, shaking and preposterous, it emerges as another splashy, sleazy showbiz tale, signifying very little.

ldquinn

(2012-03-15 14:12:10)

Christina Aguilera Is Excellent!

This is a fun movie! Cher is Cher - only a couple of singing numbers -one a bit pedestrian; the other a show stopper, a bit melancholy, butperfect - she can still sing!Now, a singer? Perhaps Christina Aguilera? No perhaps! She takes overthis film and makes it hers with her surprisingly good acting andpowerful voice.OK, so Cher can still sing a bit and Christina Aguilera can sing a lot.Is there to be no mention of great acting? Hold the presses! Can anyonespell Stanley Tucci??? He is no less than magnificent. An absolutelyperfect role for him which he takes and runs with - certainlysupporting Oscar nomination material.The story is a bit worn - girl from small town America goes to the bigcity to make her name as a singer. Against all odds, everything fallsinto place for her and she succeeds. The club owner faces losing theclub; yet, thanks to small town girl, saves it and makes it better.Totally clichГѓВ©d; yet, this movie is a lot of fun to watch. Toe tappingtunes (well, OK, a bit more than toe tapping), success againstadversity, small town girl makes good - what else do you need?What else? How about fantastic dance numbers? Pounding, vibrant music?Oops! Almost forgot - this is a movie with Cher, right? Suffice it tosay that the costuming was outrageously wonderful.All in all, this is a wonderful film - light weight, low-key andtotally enjoyable.

MYeah_Gorlomi

(2012-03-15 06:19:29)

Struggles to find a consistent tone and pace, but has great musical sequences, and a likable cast.

It's not a perfect musical, but for it's momentary time, it proves tobe a fun diversion.The film centers on an Iowa girl named Ali (Played by ChristinaAguilera), who ditches her old life to chase stardom in L.A. Whilstthere, she stumbles across a worn down Burlesque club run by a retireddancer named Tess (Played with relish by Cher). Ali, the headstrongcareer chaser she is, eventually gets a job at the club, and proves tobe a dynamite singer, often getting on the wrong side of one of theclub's main dancers, Nikki (Played by Kristen Bell), but the club iscurrently in danger of being closed down due to Tess's struggles to paythe bills for the club.The film takes obvious influence from it's more mature cousins, Chicagoand Moulin Rouge (Right down to the bling-bling costumes, saucychoreography, and fast beat music), but the film's first half is morethan sublime enough for fans of those two movies, if only the secondhalf had done a little better. The film has a tendency to drag, and tofeel contrived, but it's cast is enough reason to keep watching.Aguilera is clearly cast more for her voice than her acting chops(Which are actually better than expected), and it must be intimidatingfor any of the cast members to have to hold their ground againststandout, Cher, a cast that also includes Stanley Tucci, Cam Gigandetand Alan Cumming.Oh, and as for the musical numbers, they're right up to par. They'redecorated with shining, and lovely costumes and sets, and theaccompanying lyrics and music, meshed together with the fastchoreography should be enough to satisfy the fan of the musical genre.The movie specifically comes equipped with a beautiful ballad performedby Cher, and written by Diane Warren, that is by far and away one ofthe year's very best original songs. It's just such a shame that thefilm can't find a consistent tone.Burlesque is certainly not a good movie, but I enjoyed it enough togive it ** out of ****

Mary F. Pols

(2012-03-06 01:49:22)

The movie is frivolous fun, but not, as I had sort of hoped, as sinfully awful as Showgirls, Mariah Carey's Glitter or Britney Spears' Crossroads.

joshuajrudolph

(2012-03-05 09:54:45)

Amazing!

This movie was beyond anything i could have ever expected. Christinareally pulled it off and Cher she was amazing as always. Saw it todayand I went out and bought the sound track. The music is great! This isa movie i will buy when it comes out on Blu-Ray. Hurray! The story isvery simple and that is a good thing. The writer did not over do itwith drama and was able to focus on the characters and the music. I wasso surprised when I saw that Christina can not only sing and dance herpants off but she can actually act. The best part of this movie is themusic. This is my new favorite movie. I went into the movie aftergetting up on Black Friday at 5am and i exited the theater in a greatmood and with tons of energy.