Burlesque (2010) Review

director: Steve Antin

writer: Steve Antin

starring: Christina Aguilera, Cher, Stanley Tucci, Kristen Bell

genre: Musical

I’m a fan of musicals, of Cher and if Christina Aguilera. So the mix in Burlesque just seemed like it’d be a little bit too sexy and fun to watch. I was not disappointed, I must say! Though the film has a few solid song and dance numbers, unbelievably amazing costumes (no surprise here when you have Christina Aguilera and Cher to dress), Aguilera’s soulful voice and many sexy ladies and men with guy-liner, the film ultimately falls flat do to an unbelievable lead, poor music production. That being said, it’s great to see Cher back in action and Stanley Tucci is able to add credibility to the entire production and save it from becoming a B-Film.

Burlesque is an absolutely fun movie to watch. There was nothing unlikable about it. The only thing that was not that fun was the three minutes in the beginning of the movie with Ali (Christina Aguilera) but it seemed it was a necessary in order to set up the story. Once the movie really got started, it never slowed down. Everything was paced to stay exciting. There were many stories going on in the movie, although they were very clearly told and allowed all of the characters to shine on stage.

Burlesque is the story of Ali (Christina Aguilera) who is a small-town girl with a big voice who escapes hardship and an uncertain future to follow her dreams to LA. After stumbling upon The Burlesque Lounge, a majestic but ailing theater that is home to an inspired musical revue, Ali lands a job as a cocktail waitress from Tess (Cher), the club's proprietor and headliner.

Burlesque's outrageous costumes and bold choreography enrapture the young ingénue, who vows to perform there one day. Soon enough, Ali builds a friendship with a featured dancer, finds an enemy in a troubled, jealous performer, and garners the affection of Jack (Cam Gigaddet), a bartender and fellow musician. With the help of a sharp-witted stage manager and gender-bending host, Ali makes her way from the bar to the stage. Her spectacular voice restores and the Burlesque Lounge to its former glory, though not before a charismatic entrepreneur arrives with an enticing proposal. It’s an unrealistic story of hope and for all young girls who want get up on a stage.

The positive side of the movie is that it’s not boring and its better then the Show Girls (in my opinion). Besides the show, the performance of Stanely Tucci, Aguileras Voice, Cher and the Dancers was a great chemistry throughout the movie. Stanley Tucci can intentionally be the best actor on screen and he can take about any role, any line any film and shine trough it no matter how hard the film works against him.

About Aguileras Voice, simply her voice speaks for herself. It gives you the reason to listen but when she is talking, not so much. She is good and gives the character a strong attempt but her voice is the best part about her performance and its better on many of her albums.

Cher is Cher, the woman comes with so much baggage and yet she is incredibly watchable on screen. She gives very little work and some horrible lines but she shines trough and get the best laughs in the film.

The negative side of the movie is the singing. Why? Well we all know that Aguilera can sing and we know she is going to sing but it’s quit the foreplay until it get to the action. The film simply teases Aguileras voice and takes way too long to get to her singing once she in the club.

Concerning the Musical Production, when you listen to the Moulin Rouge, Cabareto or Chicago soundtracks you can hear the quality in the layers and the respect given to the music. Most of the tracks in the film are basic and feels like its pop music all over it, then a Musical as good as Chicago.

This film is to musicals what Tony Scott’s film are to the action genre , they’re fun when things get moving but once they stop to talk there’s not enough substance to keep anything moving (luckily Tony Scott has learned to NOT stop the action and then he doesn’t have to deal with story). There are some great moments in the film, but this is by no means “the new must-see musical” it’s too long, too strung out, and needs be tightened like all the girls corsets were in the film.

Review by Danai725