Being a theater enthusiast (and a
theater artist sometimes), I’m also a big fan of musical films wherein the
treatments are all so theatrical. Emotions are translated
into lyrics, interpreted through movements and highlighted through acting.
Nothing could be more fantastic but the sight of these three art forms being meticulously combined into one awesome movie. It’s different
of course when you see it in the Broadway show where everything’s done in live. In the movie however, it is magnificent in its own way as the three art
forms are combined with another great form of creativity, which is the art of
film making.
To give you some ideas of the
best musical films ever produced, I’m sharing you my list of favorites. Here they are! Enjoy the trailers!
1. LES MISERABLE
This 2012 epic romantic film
adapted from the musical of the same name, of which based from Victor Hugo’s
novel will surely send a chill up to your spine due to its excellent musicality
and significant story. Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathway, Russell Crowe, Amanda
Seyfried and all the rest of the ensemble casts have given us here a real
knockout performance that the film had received eight Academy Awards nominations
including Best Picture.
2. PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
The real epitome of magnified
classic story, The Phantom of Opera was the most unforgettable musical I’ve
ever seen. The film was based on Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical of the same name,
of which based on French novel Le Fantôme de l'Opéra by Gaston Leroux. The
movie was such a perfect beauty that its exuding splendor would certainly haunt
you forever.
3. A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Based on the musical of the same
name, which was based from Charles Dicken’s novel, this television film was
such a heartwarming movie that would reach deeply into your soul. This is the
Christmas movie that I wouldn't mind watching again and again, because the story of A Christmas Carol is
such a sweet reminder that the real happiness in life lies
not in gold or in any material things but in the love we share with one another.
4. JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
How about seeing Christ Passion
in a rock musical demonstration? Based on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s stage musical of
the same name, Jesus Christ Superstar has shown the events on Christ’s life
during the week before His crucifixion. The approach used was set away from the
conventional type of interpreting Christ’s life through the solemn and serious
tone, but it was delivered in a modern mood means by depicting it through rock musical.
5. THE SOUND OF MUSIC
A feel good musical and a
remarkable classic that would live in your heart forever, The Sound of Music
was a musical film inspired by the memoir of Maria Von Trapp. The film told the
story of Maria and the Von Trapp family which started just before the World War
II. Surely, you will never get rid of the song “Do-Re-Mi” and the rest of the happiest songs you will hear in this very beautiful movie!
6. THE WIZARD OF OZ
A great classic film to cherish, you will definitely love Dorothy Gale, the sweet, young girl who was brought to Land of Oz by a hurricane. Her journey was such a meaningful one as she traveled the yellow brick road to find the Wizard. This is such a wonderful film that was based from L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. (click here to see review of the movie)
7. MAMMA MIA
If you grew up with Abba music,
then this musical/ romantic comedy movie is perfect for you. Mamma Mia was such
a real feel good film with such an uplifting effect that it would leave you
singing and dancing at the end. Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried
made a perfect mother-daughter tandem here, and Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth,
and Stellan Skarsgard had even added more color to the ever-vibrant scenes!
8. CHICAGO
Full of breathtaking performances
and spectacular numbers, Chicago will bring you back to the Jazz Age when jazz
and dance started to arise in popularity and the society stank of corruption, depression and other horrible doings. The film explored serious topics, of
which concerned subject of fame, scandal and fraud. The film starred Renée
Zellweger, Richard Gere, and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
9. JOYFUL NOISE
Get inspired by this gospel-infused
musical film that told the story of a small town choir that was threatened to be shut down. Queen
Latifah and Dolly Parton had made a perfect chemistry here with their both
strong personality, conviction,and really amazing vocal powers. Sing praises and witness this one good round
of fellowship, Joyful Noise will make feel light-hearted and will give new fresh hopes to start your life with.
10. OLIVER!
Based on another Charles Dicken’s
novel, Oliver! was adapted from a stage musical of the same name. This film
that earned six Academy awards including Best Picture and Best Director in the
41st Academy Awards in 1969 had indeed appealed to the people in all
walks of life. Exciting not only for the children but for the adult as well, I
bet you would enjoy the film and get fond of Dickens unforgettable characters.
11. GREASE
Grease was such great phenomena in the history of musical cinema. Music and choreography were all too powerful that it lingered years after the movie was first shown. Join the Rydell High gangs on their life’s journey as students. Sing and groove with them as you watch this one big fun musical movie! (click here to see review of the movie)
12. RENT
Very substantial and full of
issues explored and discussed, Rent is the heaviest film I’ve ever watched that
blatantly reflected the darker side of the of society. It depicted the lives
of several Bohemians who struggled onto their lives for survival. The film
tackled several themes including sexuality, gender issue, drugs, poverty and
HIV/AIDS. Heavily serious were the themes maybe, but the movie never lacks the
variety, the blend of emotions, and the musicality prowess that would take your
breath away due to the excellent deliverance and performance of its ensemble casts.
13. DREAM GIRLS
Witness the evolution of music from the 60’s and 70’s through the perspectives of the girl group called Dream Girls as they conquered the music industry together with their all too controlling manager played by Jamie Foxx. If you’re a great fan of R & B music, then Dream Girls is the perfect watching for you. A musical drama film that explored themes such as celebrity, love, romance, heartbreaks, and friendship.
14. HAIRSPRAY
Get rockin’ and groovin’ as Hairspray brought you back to the 1960’s era with all the hit 60’s pop dance and downtown rhythm and blues! Hairspray revolved around the plump teenager Tracy Turnblads who dreamed of dancing in The Corny Collins Show. Without doubt, you would be so fond of Tracy as she positively worked her way to the realization of her dreams. John Travolta had given us here an amusing performance as he played in drag to portray the role of Tracy’s mother.
15. ROCK OF AGES
Recall the 80’s melody as Rock of Ages delivers you the music of 1980’s rock artists. This romantic musical comedy film will definitely set you rocking and banging on your seat as you listen to the film’s stirring and thrilling musical numbers!
