Jesus Christ Superstar
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Movie Reviews of Jesus Christ Superstar
Movie Review: A real treat for JCSS lovers!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was amazed at how other reviewers either loved or hated this production. If you love JCSS as an "opera", you should love this production. I was one of the people who bought the original album back in 1970, before JCSS was ever performed as a musical, because I loved the music and words and the way they told the story. The movie version was a giant stinkeroni, so it was with great trepidation that I tuned into this PBS version. Was I ever thrilled, however. I have never been lucky enough to see a stage version of JCSS (though I have seen at least 6 other Andrew Lloyd Webber musical productions in San Francisco, so I am no stranger to professional theater) but this is pure Webber, and the performers voices are fabulous.My son, who is the same age I was when I originally fell in love with the record, says this is his favorite musical (and he has seen many live productions too, including Phantom in New York!). It is not because he grew up with the music, because we haven't has anything to play my record on for many years - most of his life. It is just because it is a great musical (believe me, he is not influenced by my opinions about anything!).
There is no question this is not your typical musical - it is more like Evita than like Phantom, and if you are looking for The Sound Of Music, which I also love, you will not like this - but this 54-year-old and her 21-year-old son give it 2 thumbs WAY up!
Movie Review: Refreshing, Compelling
Summary: 5 Stars
I originally purchased this version of JCS out of curiosity. Being closely attatched to Norman Jewison's film, but having an open mind, I popped the disc in. I was hooked within a minute.The action that takes place during the Overture shocked me. Why weren't they unloading a bus (as in Jewison's version)??? By the time Judas (Pradon) walked into the picture and through Christ (Carter)'s shadow, I knew this version was a marvel in its own right.
Admittedly, it took several viewings for many voices (Pradon, Johanson, Carter) to grow on me. What do you expect for someone who was raised with Neeley screeching "All Right, I'll Die!". Fred Johanson, who played Pilate, annoyed me at first when he repeatedly spoke/bellowed lyrics.
But the acting, I found, suits the styles very well. Gale Edwards has one up on Jewison in her version--- the stage works more for this opera than the dusty location shots. The close ups are more "watchable" in Edwards's JCS. The 70's players are simply too greasy! Remaining true to the original version, the music flows continuously, keeping the story moving and not halting like in the 70's film.
The update also has the advantage of a better sound. Whereas Jewison's movie has a quiet, unbalanced soundtrack, Edwards enjoys a full-sounding score.
Overall, this newest version is superior because it is funner to watch. The singers aren't the best, but the package is superb!
Movie Review: much better than the original
Summary: 5 Stars
There are a lot of things I liked more about this one the the 73 version. First, it started as a stage musical, and finally there is a movie that makes it feel like a stage musical. My second comment is one where I can't be sure if it's just better recording technology now than back in the 70s, but all the singers came across as much stronger and much more full. I've heard people call this version "too overdone"... yeah, I'd hope the choreography was overdone on a stage musical, it might have been more overdone than the original version, but the original seems like the one over the top sense it was never aiming to be a stage performance. Oh, and the new Pilate can't be beat, he comes across as extremeley intimmidating and powerful, the old version always seemed week. The new costumes just prove how well done this musical was written that it can be set to almost any time period and any dress and culture and still be pulled off. The new Judas shows more emotion, the new Pharisees are more lively, and the new Mary is both a great singer and good looking. Oh, and if you ever bother watching the special features, this project was done by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim RIce themselves, I'm pretty sure their intentions were kept true. Oh, and a response to the person complaining that it was unrealistic because Jesus's eyes were the wrong color, get over it, it's a musical, not a church history movie.Movie Review: brillant, Fantastic, best buy of the year....
Summary: 5 Stars
I brought this d.v.d in October & was so excited about it, because I have always loved the musical, & liked the film Version with Ted Neely, so I guess I was expecting the same sort of thing. But *WoW* how wrong could I be, its so diffrent from the film version. From the intro with the Guns & & the disciples all dressed leather. As you wacth you think emmm very strange, but please dont be put off. because as soon as you hear the familar tune of "heaven on their mind`s". You forget about the guns etc. & just get caught up with the whole thing, so much so i felt like I was one of the disciples singing along. Thats how it makes you fill like you go into the screen. All the parts were great Jerome Pradon was brillant as Judas with such a energectic performance I was quite overcome. But for me Glenn Carter was the icing on the cake, his whole performance was brillant, that when he sang Gethsemane it made my hair stand up on the back of my neck, And he sang it so well as its quite a hard song to sing. To me Glenn was the Christ & when you wacth it you go through all his emotion & Anguish, & you felt the pain he was going through while being nailed to the cross. i love my d.v.d & highly recommend it to anyone young & old. The brillant Glenn Carter made this for me & will go very far. We love ya Glenn.Movie Review: Whoa !!! Glad I have this one!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been a fan of JCS since I saw the live stage version as a child in Boston (a very long time ago). I am one of the "die hard" fans that loved the screen version from the 70's, wearing out three VHS tapes of it. This version, however, grabbed me by the throat and demanded my attention. This latest version of JCS is no slouch by any means. This latest version is modernized and updated for the modern times, and is far more gritty and realistic when compared with the 1970's version.
The use of a stage as the main set of the video actually works quite well. Costumes are spectacular, as is the camera and lighting work. The story line is more clearly defined as an examination of the relationship between Jesus (Glenn Carter), Judas (Jerome Pradon), and Mary (Renee Castle), and the dynamics involved. The Romans, particularly Pilate (Fred Johanson), are far more frightening characters, as is Herod (Rik Mayall). The Romans are no longer portrayed as innocent bystanders in this version, and the Trial before Pilate is far more violent (Carter in reality is injured during the production of this scene). While not anywhere near the violent level of "The Passion of the Christ," you may wish to consider whether this one is appropriate for younger viewers.
If you like the 1973 video version of JCS, you'll love this one.