Les Miserables
|
List Price: Our Price: $7.55 You Save: $7.44 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $4.93 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Les Miserables
Movie Review: Great movie by itself, not the book
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the 245th review on Amazon of this movie. Why bother with another? Who knows. Does the movie follow the book? Can Hugo be reduced to film? No, and this doesn't do it. To put a novel on film would seem a very difficult task. Maybe you can do it with Moliere, Ibsen, O'Neal or Wilde if you adapot their plays, but can you do it with Flaubert, Cervantes, Camus, et al.? I think not.
This is a good movie and as a movie I give it five stars. No apology. As an adaptation of the book it ranks maybe three or two. I think some real benefit could be gained to the world if those who occupy the ultra-moralistic, ultra-fight were encouraged to see this movie--they are never going to read the book. But perhaps it is too much of a shock to their systems. They might become moral, see the value of mercy, adopt the Golden Rule, and what would that do to religion in the world? Can I retract the suggestion? It is best the closed minded stay that way.
I make no apology for my take on this movie, because reviewing a movie is even more subjective than reviewing a book. The subjective view of this reviewer is this, as a movie, warrants 5 stars.
The best advice--spend money on the book rather than the movie. Read it, enjoy it, and improve yourself.
Movie Review: A Moving Film
Summary: 5 Stars
I guess first things first. I have read the book, and it is beautifully written (by a man who knew all but nothing about writing, too). However, making a film that precisely follows it would be undesirable on many different levels. Victor Hugo goes off on a detailed history of the French Revolution rather abruptly towards the middle of the book, and to make a long story short, much of the book is just that... abrupt. By the time you get back to "actuality" you've forgotten what you read before. Beautiful writing, but it would make a horrid movie.
What they have done here is taken that and removed all the abruptness and detours. They singled out the actual plot of the story itself, and turned it into a film that -as a film in and of itself- is magnificent. Also, those who enjoy good music will be in heaven... I could watch the movie just to listen to it alone. The acting is well-done, with little strain. The story flows. It's moving. The filmography is appealing. And it makes you think.
While it doesn't imitate the book as closely as some fans may wish, I give it five stars for being a terrific MOVIE that still captures the essence of Victor Hugo's writing.
Movie Review: A Movie That is Worthy of the Book
Summary: 5 Stars
This 1998 production is a powerful and thrilling dramatic adaptation of the Victor Hugo story widely loved as a broadway musical. As a drama, this production has brilliantly captured the emotional arc and pathos of the book. This is truly an achievement. Consider that moviemakers have yet to get "the Count of Monte Cristo" right, despite many failed attempts. To be able to tell a large book's story faithfully while maintaining emotional pacing and climax is exceptional; when combined with great message, the result is a delight to watch.
The initial scenes between the escaped convict Valjean and the priest are worth the price of the movie. In scene after scene, Liam Neeson is paired with a whole range of actors and actresses: a little girl, a teenage girl, & a disgraced woman; the inspector who hunts him so unmercilessly; the priest who shows him mercy; the young revolutionary who pursues Valjean's adopted daughter. Truly a virtuosic performance by Neeson that fully exploits the gut-wrenching triumph of grace over condemnation. Set against Geoffrey Rush's complex and ruthless Inspector, the effect is breath-taking.
Movie Review: One of my all-time favorite movies. Could watch it over and over.
Summary: 5 Stars
I'll start right off with the only negative thing I have to say about the movie. The sound is a bit of an issue, or at least it was on both of my televisions. I often had to crank the volume to hear what the characters were saying over the background sounds or music. The first time I watched this, I almost shut it off for that reason, but wow, am I glad I hung in there!
This is a great movie. No, I have not read the book although the movie made me try to. I got about fifty pages into the book and was so bored I thought I would pass out. The movie, however, goes well right from the start! Every scene is important and enjoyable.
I should admit that I love Liam Neeson. I could watch him paint walls and be happy, but this role totally suited him. He was wonderful, as ever. The rest of the characters were well chosen, too.
This weekend I had my teenagers watch Les Miserables and they really enjoyed it as well. It's not stale and boring like a lot classic books turned movie. I think it's one of those movies where you wish you could watch it for the first time, again and again.
Movie Review: Pleasantly Enjoyable
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read many of the reviews posted before and I happen to disagree with most of them. I know that the movie might not be exactly as the book. Many expect to see every comma and period of the book in the movie, but things dont work like that. If they did that, the movie would be awfully long. I do admit that some things in the movie were not in the book: when Jean Valjean hits the bishop of Digne when stealing the silverware or when he hits Javert against the wall. But these things just make the movie a little more interesting.
Even if it is not exactly as the book, the movie is perfectly enjoyable if you didnt read the book and even if you did the read the book and are obsessed with Les Mis.
Honestly, for me, I think that some people are just overreacting all this. The movie is a masterpiece, very well directed, and has a great cast and acting.
It might be just a tiny bit diverted from the plot of the book, but it is totally worth watching. And this comes from someone who absolutely loves Les Mis and has read the book, the long version just in case.