[BastardBeaver]

I'm so scared everytime someone critisizes it that I'm going to end up hating it

I'm starting to not want to watch it in case it spoils how I feel about Les Mis.

[tracystapes]

Originally Posted by BastardBeaver

I'm so scared everytime someone critisizes it that I'm going to end up hating it

I'm starting to not want to watch it in case it spoils how I feel about Les Mis.

What!? The film is amazing! You'll love it, honest!

[Mystical123]

Originally Posted by BastardBeaver

I'm so scared everytime someone critisizes it that I'm going to end up hating it

I'm starting to not want to watch it in case it spoils how I feel about Les Mis.

You'll be fine IF you don't go into it expecting the stage show. Anyone doing that is setting themselves up for disappointment.

It's not the stage show, and it was never planned to be the stage show. It's based on Victor Hugo's book and Boubil and Schonberg's music (and Kretzmer's lyrics), but it's not intended to be a carbon copy of either, it's another adaptation altogether.

[BastardBeaver]

Originally Posted by tracystapes

What!? The film is amazing! You'll love it, honest!

Wooo. I'm just jealous that you've all seen it and I have to wait. And I don't want it to dissapoint. Maybe I have built up my hopes too much and I should just relax about it all. Although listening to the soundtrack I loved every song, even Stars.

[BastardBeaver]

Originally Posted by Mystical123

You'll be fine IF you don't go into it expecting the stage show. Anyone doing that is setting themselves up for disappointment.

It's not the stage show, and it was never planned to be the stage show. It's based on Victor Hugo's book and Boubil and Schonberg's music (and Kretzmer's lyrics), but it's not intended to be a carbon copy of either, it's another adaptation altogether.

Yea, I've only seen the stage show once and I loved it but I was right at the back in the stalls so didn't get the full experience. To be honest I'm expecting to enjoy the film more. I don't mind about duff notes as long as the emotion of the song comes across right.

[tracystapes]

Originally Posted by BastardBeaver

Wooo. I'm just jealous that you've all seen it and I have to wait. And I don't want it to dissapoint. Maybe I have built up my hopes too much and I should just relax about it all. Although listening to the soundtrack I loved every song, even Stars.

I know what you mean but when you're actually sitting there watching it, it's completely different (the experience I mean).

Honestly, you'll love it. Even if you don't, you'll still like it, it's very respectful of the book and stage show I thought.

In fact I actually thought (regarding the ending)..

Spoiler

The 'dead' singing on the barricade was sort of a nod to the stage show in terms of "thank you for watching"

[BastardBeaver]

Originally Posted by tracystapes

I know what you mean but when you're actually sitting there watching it, it's completely different (the experience I mean).

Honestly, you'll love it. Even if you don't, you'll still like it, it's very respectful of the book and stage show I thought.

In fact I actually thought (regarding the ending)..

Spoiler

The 'dead' singing on the barricade was sort of a nod to the stage show in terms of "thank you for watching"

Ah that sounds cool. I just can't wait for it to be on DVD so I can watch it whenever I want.

[flashyphotos]

Just a response to a few comments on the sound (Orchestration) etc.

I saw the film first last Tuesday at the Derby Cinema De Luxe on the Free Tickets they gave away in the Sunday Mail. I felt let down by the sound and felt it was mushy and distant in places.

On Friday saw it again at the New IMAX in Nottingham, what a difference, like a different event, 25k Watts of Audio and a crisp clear screen just bring this movie out and into a different zone where it really should be.

If you still have to see this I would urge you to make the effort to see it at one of the new emerging IMAX screens around the UK, It is just stunning.

[Paddy C]

Never seen the stage version or any other adaptation, didn't even know any of the characters or the actual story.

Saw it last night and thought it was brilliant. Would love to go see it again on the big screen before it ends its run. Simply fantastic. Hugh Jackman surely must win Best Actor at the Oscars. I have a feeling Anne Hathaway will get Best Supporting Actress, and rightly so.

Wonderful, wonderful film.

[Kolin Klingon]

Slightly off topic, but as this is turning into the Les Miz nutters thread:

Where is the best place to sit when seeing the show in London? I'm a 'likes to be as close as possible' type and hate people in front of me, so it's usually the front row, if I can get it, or nothing.

However, this can vary and some say that a few rows back in the middle of the Stalls is best.

So those of you who have seen it on the London stage: What's your views as to the best seats?

[Mystical123]

Originally Posted by Kolin Klingon

Slightly off topic, but as this is turning into the Les Miz nutters thread:

Where is the best place to sit when seeing the show in London? I'm a 'likes to be as close as possible' type and hate people in front of me, so it's usually the front row, if I can get it, or nothing.

However, this can vary and some say that a few rows back in the middle of the Stalls is best.

So those of you who have seen it on the London stage: What's your views as to the best seats?

I've seen it from the middle of the stalls and the front of the Royal Circle, and both are great. I'd say further back gives a better view of the barricade, but I presume that up close means you see facial expressions a bit more. The Circle's great for a panoramic view as well though.

And I resent the 'Les Miz nutters' label - I'm a fan, that's all

[BastardBeaver]

Originally Posted by Kolin Klingon

Slightly off topic, but as this is turning into the Les Miz nutters thread:

Where is the best place to sit when seeing the show in London? I'm a 'likes to be as close as possible' type and hate people in front of me, so it's usually the front row, if I can get it, or nothing.

However, this can vary and some say that a few rows back in the middle of the Stalls is best.

So those of you who have seen it on the London stage: What's your views as to the best seats?

Me and my Grandma both felt a little detached from the action sat right at the back of the stalls. I'm like you, I like to be right up close and personal, almost as if I am in the middle of the action.

[Tallulah121]

I like a few other posters had never seen the stage musical and wasn't very familiar with the story but knew a few of the songs. I watched clips of the 25th anniversary on youtube and that's the only versions of the songs I had really heard before I went to see the film. I went to see it yesterday and I absolutely loved it! I haven't been able to stop singing the songs since and I'd happily go and watch it again today.

I know others will disagree, but I had no problems with Russell Crowe in this. I think he played Javert very well and I had no issues with his singing, but I haven't really seen Javert played by anybody else so I don't really have anything to compare it too. As a relatively new Les Mis fan though, I thought he gave Javert justice and his portrayal didn't alter my enjoyment of watching the film in any way.

I really can't fault this film, I thought it was brilliant and I was crying throughout most of it, as was most people around me. My highlights were Anne Hathaway who was outstanding and completely blew me away. I also loved the young actor who played Gavroche and Samantha Barks was phenomenal - she was my favourite right up there with Anne. I'm so pleased Samantha got to play the role of Epinone and not somebody who was more high profile, as Sam was the standout of the film for me - her 'On my own' was phenomenal and her parts in 'heart full of love' had me in tears (again). She really shone.

Overall the film was brilliant for me, I absolutely loved it. If I had a minor quabble it would be the audio, in some parts it was a little distant and you really had to listen, but it didn't ruin my enjoyment of the film.

[Suze]

Originally Posted by Kolin Klingon

Slightly off topic, but as this is turning into the Les Miz nutters thread:

Where is the best place to sit when seeing the show in London? I'm a 'likes to be as close as possible' type and hate people in front of me, so it's usually the front row, if I can get it, or nothing.

However, this can vary and some say that a few rows back in the middle of the Stalls is best.

So those of you who have seen it on the London stage: What's your views as to the best seats?

I've already confessed to being a Les Mis nutter -- I've sat in front, middle and back of stalls and dress circle and always loved it (the first time I saw it in 1987 I was way up in the gods) and my favourite seats when seeing Les Mis are 1st row of the Dress Circle centre-ish.

[Suze]

Originally Posted by Tallulah121

I like a few other posters had never seen the stage musical and wasn't very familiar with the story but knew a few of the songs. I watched clips of the 25th anniversary on youtube and that's the only versions of the songs I had really heard before I went to see the film. I went to see it yesterday and I absolutely loved it! I haven't been able to stop singing the songs since and I'd happily go and watch it again today.

I know others will disagree, but I had no problems with Russell Crowe in this. I think he played Javert very well and I had no issues with his singing, but I haven't really seen Javert played by anybody else so I don't really have anything to compare it too. As a relatively new Les Mis fan though, I thought he gave Javert justice and his portrayal didn't alter my enjoyment of watching the film in any way.

I really can't fault this film, I thought it was brilliant and I was crying throughout most of it, as was most people around me. My highlights were Anne Hathaway who was outstanding and completely blew me away. I also loved the young actor who played Gavroche and Samantha Barks was phenomenal - she was my favourite right up there with Anne. I'm so pleased Samantha got to play the role of Epinone and not somebody who was more high profile, as Sam was the standout of the film for me - her 'On my own' was phenomenal and her parts in 'heart full of love' had me in tears (again). She really shone.

Overall the film was brilliant for me, I absolutely loved it. If I had a minor quabble it would be the audio, in some parts it was a little distant and you really had to listen, but it didn't ruin my enjoyment of the film.

When I saw it with my niece she said the same thing when I called him the 'weak link'. As you say, I think I was comparing him to other performance and as a vocalist he came up short. But when I saw the film the second time I actually enjoyed his performance more - perhaps because I stopped focusing just on the vocals.

[Kolin Klingon]

Originally Posted by Mystical123

And I resent the 'Les Miz nutters' label - I'm a fan, that's all

Oh I consider myself included in Les Miz nutters club - It's a term of endearment, not an insult.

[ironjade]

Originally Posted by BastardBeaver

How come?

Terrible singing (there's a reason they usually mime to playback as anyone who's seen At Long Last Love will confirm) and OTT acting: it's a movie, so the cast don't have to play to the back row.
You couldn't pay me enough to sit through any more of this drivel.
It's opera for people who don't like opera like Starbuck's is coffee for people who don't like coffee.

[ironjade]

Originally Posted by Mystical123

That pretty much sums up what I
Oh well you missed all the best bits then! I don't understand why anyone wouldn't at leasy give something until halfway through - how you can judge a 2.5 hour movie on 15 minutes alone is beyond me!

It the first 15 minutes made a steam iron to the genitals look like an attractive alternative why on earth would I want to see any more?

[Kolin Klingon]

Originally Posted by ironjade

Terrible singing (there's a reason they usually mime to playback as anyone who's seen At Long Last Love will confirm) and OTT acting: it's a movie, so the cast don't have to play to the back row.
You couldn't pay me enough to sit through any more of this drivel.
It's opera for people who don't like opera like Starbuck's is coffee for people who don't like coffee.

But I like Grand Opera as well as 'sung through musicals' and straight musicals and even plays. ...and film and singing in a pub and concerts of pop, rock or classical music. Comedy or serious and many a magic show as well!

So I don't think my tastes are the poor man's anything!

[Lucy Lou]

Originally Posted by ironjade

It the first 15 minutes made a steam iron to the genitals look like an attractive alternative why on earth would I want to see any more?

...ouch was it really that bad?

[Lady Spice]

Well, I can't stand Grand Opera but I love Les Mis, and if that makes me a Philistine, well so be it.

I'm really interested in the opinions of the "non-Les Mis-nutters," and more especially, the Les Mis virgins, who have never seen the stage show OR heard the music before. I'm really facinated to know how this film comes across to those who have no preconceptions whatsoever.

[tracystapes]

Originally Posted by Lucy Lou

...ouch was it really that bad?

No not at all. The poster in question is exagerrating to high heavens!

[Kolin Klingon]

Originally Posted by ironjade

It the first 15 minutes made a steam iron to the genitals look like an attractive alternative why on earth would I want to see any more?

The only time I had genital problems was when Eddie Redmayne was on the screen, but that's more than enough info!

[ceeveepee]

Originally Posted by Lady Spice

Well, I can't stand Grand Opera but I love Les Mis, and if that makes me a Philistine, well so be it.

I'm really interested in the opinions of the "non-Les Mis-nutters," and more especially, the Les Mis virgins, who have never seen the stage show OR heard the music before. I'm really facinated to know how this film comes across to those who have no preconceptions whatsoever.

I haven't seen the stage show, or really heard much of the music and I loved it. Found it very poignant and was totally absorbed in the film.

Especially loved the performances of Empty Chairs at Empty Tables and I Dreamed a Dream. I thought the casting was really good but I don't have anything to compare it to, the only characters I wasn't too keen on were the Therniers but they did provide a little light relief in a fairly heavy film.

[Mystical123]

Originally Posted by Kolin Klingon

Oh I consider myself included in Les Miz nutters club - It's a term of endearment, not an insult.

Fair enough, I just don't usually consider nutter a term of endearment I prefer 'huge fan'

Originally Posted by ironjade

Terrible singing (there's a reason they usually mime to playback as anyone who's seen At Long Last Love will confirm) and OTT acting: it's a movie, so the cast don't have to play to the back row.

Bit in bold: exactly, and they weren't doing that at all. They were doing the complete opposite in fact, none of them were belting the songs the way they're done on stage. It was far more realistic and raw than the stage show, and was intended to be that way. It's not intended to be a tour de force of singing - if you want that, then you want something at the Royal Opera House, not a musical. Musicals are about more than just singing, and this film was definitely about more than the singing, which was intended to be raw and unpolished.

Originally Posted by ironjade

It the first 15 minutes made a steam iron to the genitals look like an attractive alternative why on earth would I want to see any more?

Because 15 minutes is a tiny percentage of the film as a whole, and before most of the cast even appear on screen. So I don't believe it's possible to say a whole film is awful without even giving half the cast a chance to do anything at all, particularly the best singers. You may not have liked the bit you saw, but you don't know what the rest of the movie was like, so you can't judge it.