ThiefHott Too much of everything

Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good

Pluskylang Great Film overall

Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Troll_Dahl Boy, I wish we had assemblies like this when I was in school!I was introduced to Andrew Lloyd Webber and the wonderful lyricist Tim Rice through Jesus Christ Superstar. Joseph is somewhat of a cousin to that show but it is a different kettle of fish at the same time. It is clearly designed to be accessible to school children-- which is great. Kids are an audience worthy of being catered to and it's wonderful to see them becoming involved in the arts, as the DVD extras show us that English schools host their own productions. But Dreamcoat also holds much for adults who are willing to forgo pretensions in favor of fun. This is not classical theatre but it is enjoyable lightweight popular theatre, accessible to anyone with an appreciation for the wacky and zany. In short, it is entertaining. It is good music with a good message for kids--and Tim Rice's lyrics are witty as ever. Another thing this is not, however, is a religious show. Parents, note that this isn't to the Bible for kids. It's not a Christian (or Jewish) perspective; rather, it is universal. Joseph and friends are depicted no differently than if they were figures in Greek or Norse mythology; there is no special reverence nor special disdain, although the approach is light-hearted and fun-loving. It's another story. At one point, Maria Friedman, playing narrator, stumbles and drops her Bible, telegraphing that this is a non-traditionalist, possibly off-center treatment of scripture, one that absolutely requires a taste for the whimsical.I've sadly never seen the show on stage, which m I'd love to, but I do see how this rendition could disappoint one in search of the purely theatrical. However, one of two things I like is actually dependent on the filmic medium. The story is bookended as a play children are watching in school. When Joseph emerges, it becomes a blend of reality and fantasy. The lines are blurred and the action is effectively placed in a unique realm that, I find, engages the imagination. It's a bit of a throwback to the like of the 1973 film of Jesus Christ Superstar, which similarly bookends its main story as a performance of sorts. Except Dreamcoat is presented ideally for connecting with kids. At the same time, this presentation is strongly theatrical on other ways and I really appreciate getting a bit of the theatrical experience in the living room, as I do love theatre.The other thing I really like is the sheer variety. There's '50s-style rock 'n' roll with the classic Go, Go Joseph and Pharo's Dream, an outrageous Elvis imitation. There's a faux country/western ballad as Joe's bros deliciously pretend to mourn him. And there's a wonderful calypso that will get stuck in your head for days. Webber takes a pantheon of popular music styles that people love and weaves them together in storytelling. That's pop theatre. It seems typical of Webber and it's similar to the musical brilliance that makes Superstar a classic of fantastic appeal. Dreamcoat is cut from the same cloth, dyed in different hues.As to the cast, the all-star approach seems over the top but it's always nice seeing Richard Attenborough (Jacob). And I've never followed Osmond but I crest him for a good performance, making Joe warn and radiant. Watching him with the kids is a joy. The ending Coat of Many Colors sequence is marvelous, as we see the kids form a unified body of many colors on stage, and the bookending number, Any Dream Will Do, can stand as a classic entirely on its own (more so than Joseph's slower ballad while in prison). The supporting cast is uniformly excellent, especially Judah, Pharo, the butler, and the baker. Friedman is amusing if over the top as narrator, a device that seems conceived to help kids understand the story. I recognized Englishman Ian McNiece as Potiphar, a delightful performance of a colorful characterization, not to be missed.In short, Dreamcoat lives up to its title: the characters are all colorful. The music is fun and the themes poignant. The story and music conjure and help to preserve a spirit of dreaming and daring to have and glorify dreams and hope, as well as a spirit of love and unity. Which is beautiful. This show could also serve as a fun way to introduce kids to musical theatre. The upbeat music, goofiness, and presence of kids in the story should help draw kids in. If I chose two words to describe Dreamcoat, they would be "color" and "dreams", two things children should not be short of. Everyone should sew a Dreamcoat.

DJAkin When it comes to musicals, I am more of a RENT kind of guy and a FIDDLER ON THE ROOF type of fella. However, this movie DELIVERED THE GOODS. I had always thought this was a 1970s Donny Osmand movie based on how the cover looks. I was WRONG! It is a 1999 movie and is all MUSIC! I liked the way it was based on the story of Joseph and his brothers. The NARRATOR delivered the goods full throttle as well. The songs were catchy and they ELVIS singer was a lot of fun to watch. The movie was very much MUSICAL-ISH and "feel good" ish. However, it was NOT TOO HOKEY where you wanted to just TURN IT OFF. I am glad this movie was suggested to me and I have a great memory of watching it.

Blueghost Mark Thompson, costume designer extraordinaire, likes to highlight feminine erogenous zones in what is supposed to be a production for children. No doubt his social-quasi-political perspective decided it was time to play a little "trick" on the uptight religious types to whom the Joseph tale placates.That's too bad, really. For had the more "alluring" costumes just been given minor alterations that didn't accentuate the sexuality that no doubt lurks in the back of Mark Thompson's mind, then this particular production, in spite of its wide receptions, might've received even greater accolades than it's already garnished.But, boo-hoo, the unarguably effeminate Mark Thompson believes it appropriate to snicker via his version of the decadence that was Pharoh ruled Egypt, and in this way deliver his version of s social jab.How tiring.Children need to learn about the human body, but a degree of comport, appropriate time and place, are of the essence. Regrettably the artsy-left that pervades a good deal of theatre have their own condescending view when it comes to children's' fair.But, the production itself, the songs and choreography, are fine. However, the shooting style falls just a millimeter shy of brilliance. The vast portion of cinematography is respectable, though mildly truncated here and there. The editing is appropriate for the intended age group, though here again it doesn't quite mesh with the shooting style, but the transitions and shot composition are competent enough.Now, if you can smirk at the "artistic undercurrent" (and you should), and enjoy the song-and-dance that is this production, along with some very fine comedic emoting, then you'll be thoroughly entertained. Myself, I liked the bobby-soxers :-) Well, we can't blame it all on Mark Thompson, after all mister Steven Pimlott directed the thing, and as such approved of the more heightened costuming. Ah well.If your morals skew slightly conservative, then give the thing a preview before showing it to your kids.

Movie Fan I got this movie for Christmas, and was amazed at how good it was. I had asked for it because I'd heard of the show, but never seen it or listened to the songs. My whole family loved it! Donny Osmond did a great job playing Joseph, and the Narrator was great, you can tell she was loving the whole show.The songs were superb, I loved the children singing backup! The dancing was amazing as well, the song One More Angel in Heaven was hilarious, and the dancing was incredible! The only thing that I did not approve of was that after Joseph went to Egypt, many of the costumes were very reveling. Not recommended for very young viewers.