Why is Rob Marshall's Chicago one of the best, if not the best, musicals to come out of Hollywood within the last twenty years? It's all on account of his own dazzling creativity and respect for old fashioned class that makes this a genuinely delightful experience. His direction is elegant, focused, and sophisticated without ever becoming cold or condescending.
This is a film where the musical numbers are showcased so exquisitely they jump off the screen and welcome you to enjoy in on the fun. Unlike the abominable Moulin Rouge!, this film is infused with both a keen sense of superb comic timing and serviceable playfulness that conveys subtle shades of depth without ever losing its's charm or wit.
Among the songs in the film my favorite is Roxie, sung by Renee Zellweger who is just perfect as the jazzy baby turned murderess who comes to start enjoying her infamy. Much of Chicago's success is thanks to Zellweger who carries the film with her funny, sexy, and all around luminous performance. It's her understanding of the character and her vocal/dancing abilities that make everything work. Well, almost everything. The one real weak link in the film is Catherine Zeta Jones' (undeservedly) Oscar-winning performance of Velma Kelly. You can read all about what I think here, but lets just say Jones is a better dancer than she is an actress.
It's a real musical with heart and soul where the energy is poppin', and each musical number is nothing short of show-stoppin'.
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