I can’t think of a better example of what I assume an AI generated film will feel and look like.

I legit didn’t know the actual film had started until 5 mins into the first sequence. Then we spend two hours introducing characters and locations, but without any real stakes or even plot points. Then the film finally starts to kick into high gear in the last twenty minutes before abruptly ending.

Part of what makes the stage musical so awe inspiring are the huge physical set pieces, which are flattened into lifeless CG in the movie. There’s no real spectacle. I do think the choreo was good, but it’s filmed too tight so it ends up just being dizzying. 

There’s something quite ironic that a film about people being enchanted by style over substance (in fact the best song, Popular, literally makes that argument) is in fact a lot of empty bombast. I felt a deep sadness as I endured the relentless frenzy of maniacally smiling faces belting out melody-free songs while endlessly spinning and leaping and swinging and flipping and on and on.

The acting is good, but I don’t like the characters or story, so clearly this film just isn’t for me. Most of the songs are mind numbingly samey. The politics are embarrassingly underdeveloped, but that’s really just a symptom of having thin characters and a confused meandering story. 

I checked my watch dozens of times, took each kid to the bathroom multiple times, refilled snacks, basically I found myself actively finding excuses to leave the theater, and yet it still wouldn’t end.

Extra star for there being a very serious talking goat.

Best part of the film was closing my move ring while shoveling down popcorn out of boredom. That was funny to me.
 
Ben had a blast at his first movie theater experience eating a bucket of popcorn bigger than him, but his patience ran thin after the two hour mark. Ted loved it, as did Chel and her mom.