Review of The Greatest Showman (2017) by John H — 03 Jul 2018

My yardstick for every movie is the computer mouse. If it sits idle throughout, the entertainment was worthwhile. If I begin skipping ahead in the movie, it's because the show has become boring. Then I ride the mouse, skipping ahead with 2-3 then 5-10 and eventually 15 minute gulps when things don't improve.

I have loved musicals since Oklahoma and have well over a hundred here to enjoy. Netflix came through and I slipped in the DVD.

On the screen, 'The Greatest Showman', a musical with a familiar lead. Great audience reviews. My first mouse skip came early, during the number when young Barnum was growing into a man. In the meantime, the sets and scenes and costumes and direction were astounding. The really important stuff -especially the music- never materialized and my cursor began to dance along the time line, skipping more and more. Characters never 3D.

By the end (which arrived in less than twenty minutes), I didn't feel like I missed anything. What a shame.

Turned to my left and slipped out the Barnum musical. Cy Coleman's music. 1980. Sweet. What was the name of that movie I was just watching. Darn it. Slipped my mind already.