Oscars: “The Musical is Back”!?
By Arielle Little February 26, 2009 | 9:27 pm
Posted in: Uncategorized
So, last Sunday, the Oscars tried to tread into musical territory with a big number that was meant to salute the movie musical. At first I was excited, but mostly because I always get excited when hear a few strains of any song from “West Side Story.” But is it just me, or did Hugh Jackman and Beyonce’s performance at the Oscars last Sunday get pretty weird pretty fast?
After opening with the song form the movie “Top Hat,” originally performed by Fred Astaire, they proceeded to sing a clunky mish-mash of a few lines what seemed like every popular movie musical made in the last 50 years. In two minutes, they sang from something like 14 different movie musicals, all while costumed like they where straight out of “A Chorus Line” or something.
For some reason, the entire time Jackman and Beyonce just looked out of place. Don’t get me wrong, I know Jackman had a stage career in Australia, and I think Beyonce is awesome. But something just didn’t feel right. Sure, it was a nice attempt at a tribute to movie musicals, but it simply fell short of fantastic. The whole situation was only made more award by the appearance Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens–who looked both looked funny in a way that I can only seem to describe as oddly miniature and plastic. After it was all over Jackman exclaimed: “The Musical is Back!” I personally would like to think that the musical never left. But wherever “The Musical” is, it certainly wasn’t in the Kodak theater on Sunday night.
For the record, here’s the movie musicals that I was able to dechiper from the number. I am sure I have missed a few, so feel free to add or correct: “Top Hat,” “Singing in the Rain,” “West Side Story,” “Grease,” “Sound of Music,” “Chicago,” “Moulin Rouge,” “Dream Girls,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “High School Musical,” “West Side Story” again, “At Last–Etta James,” “Music Man,” “Mamma Mia,” “Wizard of Oz,” Top Hat” again.
Image Source: justjared.buzznet.com
Tags: beyonce, Hugh Jackman, musicals, oscars, vanesse hudgens, zac efron
Not only did he have a stage career in Australia, Jackman won a Tony in NYC for his performance of Peter Allen in “Boy From Oz”.
But, I agree. It was just WEIRD! Did not show off Beyonce AT ALL. Even with her recnet “kind of” homage to Bob Fosse, Beyonce is not a musical theater type of dancer.
I’d crack on the red gloves looking like a cheap-o version of black gloves, but maybe they were going for the low-budget look, like Jackman did in the opening!
Comment by Beth E. Smith — February 27, 2009 @ 7:19 am
Other movies that were on the number were: Hairspray, High school musical 3 and Evita.
I actually liked the whole idea of the number, but I think Beyoncé was a really bad choice. There are so many musical actresses that could have done such a better job… And Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens? WTF? I know they were chosen because of HSM, but I can’t even consider it an actual musical. That was just depressing.
Comment by Elisa — February 27, 2009 @ 1:50 pm
My wife and I enjoyed the Musical is Back medley so much that we backed up the DVR and played it again.
Comment by Bob & Terry–February 28, 2009 @ 9:23 p.m.
Comment by Robert Kimball — February 28, 2009 @ 8:24 pm
Ok so I think people have been way to harsh on this, I think it was very entertaining which is exactly what its supposed to be. I love musicals and frankly have noticed their decline, and thought this was a refreshing way to address it. In the past few years we have had about 1 great musical turned movie a year hit the big screen, and I’m sorry as much as we all enjoy it High School musical doesn’t count.
So suck it up. I’m thinking the audience enjoyed it to see their peers and friends preform for them, this wasn’t horrible. And the medley was wonderfully placed together. Stop feeding into the stereotype that all blogs do is complain, and get a real life. Geesh!
Comment by Julie — March 3, 2009 @ 3:48 pm
I loved it all around. I think all of the people who sang did a wonderful job, and Beyonce had a GREAT voice for all the lines she had. Jackman and Beyonce’s voices were great together. I don’t understand why people are harsh about it; It was good!
Comment by Sadie — March 19, 2009 @ 12:21 pm