MovieFreak.com - "Chicago" DVD Review by John Teves

DVD REVIEW

Chicago (2002)

Starring: Richard Gere, Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly

Director: Rob Marshall

Rating: R

Distributor: Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Release Date: August 19, 2003
Review posted: August 21, 2003

Spoilers: Major

Reviewed by John Teves

Synopsis

The Windy City's promise of adventure and opportunity dazzle Roxie Hart, an outwardly innocent performer who dreams of singing and dancing her way out of her ho-hum life. Roxie's one wish is to follow in the golden footsteps of vaudeville performer Velma Kelly. Roxie gets her wish when some very wrong steps land both the star and starlet in prison for separate murder charges. Under the crooked care of the prison Matron Morton, Roxie meets up with legendary lawyer Billy Flynn. He agrees to take Roxie's case for an immodest fee. Roxie's career explodes, to the chagrin of her mentor. But the clever Miss Kelly has a few surprises left for her second act. Based on the award-winning musical by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, "Chicago" is a stunning spectacle full of intrigue, love, betrayal, rivalry and friendship, a pageant of music and dance that adroitly shifts between reality and fantasy, as Roxie's world moves from the prison to the courtroom to the stage.

Capsule Critique

CHICAGO is based on the award-winning play “Chicago,” adapted by Bob Fosse, John Kander and Fred Ebb from the original play by Maurine Watkins. Unlike the stage play, most of the movie's song and dance numbers spring from the imagination of Renee Zellweger’s character, Roxie Hart.

Zellweger is perfect as the sweet, blameless blonde with a blazing imagination and a hunger for the stage. Catherine Zeta-Jones' solo dance numbers are exciting and energetic; she pumps the energy level of the film to a hot pitch. Richard Gere is perhaps the most unexpected delightful member of the cast. His performance as Billy Flynn could very well be one of his best. He displays a devious sense of humor, delivering lines that provoke unadulterated chuckles. One also has to appreciate the fantastic performance from Queen Latifah as a prison guard.

The Video

CHICAGO appears in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, and the image has been enhanced for 16X9 televisions. The video transfer was absolutely brilliant. The majority of the film seemed crisp and well defined. I saw no signs of jagged edges, but I did notice some light edge enhancement. No signs of print flaws existed. Colors were vivid and breathtaking. Black levels were of good quality, and shadow detail was precisely outlined and smooth. Overall, there are no issues with this transfer. CHICAGO presents a top quality visual presentation.

The Audio

CHICAGO is presented in both a Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS track. When comparing both tracks, I thought the pair sounded virtually identical with the DTS track being somewhat louder in presence. For the most part the sound focused primarily on the center speakers, although this is a very active mix to say the least. The sound emanated from all locations as the tracks presented excellent atmosphere, especially during the club scenes. Not surprisingly, the film’s musical numbers worked the best, as score and lots of effects information popped up all around. Dialogue sounded natural, and I noticed no issues related to edginess. Music sounded dynamic and rich. All in all, CHICAGO presents an outstanding audio track.

The Extras

Commentary by Director Rob Marshall and Screenwriter Bill Condon
Deleted Musical Number
Behind-the-scenes featurette
Trailers

Overall

CHICAGO is a refreshing delight. When all's said and done, CHICAGO is hugely entertaining, elegantly sexy and bursts with song and dance...and all that JAZZ! This film is Highly Recommended for fans of the musical/play genre.

John Teves rates the film 3.5 out of 4.

Review originally appeared on DVDFreak.net

VERDICT: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

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