'GET ON UP': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
Musical biopic about the life of James Brown. The film stars Chadwick Boseman as Brown (he also played Jackie Robinson, in the 2013 baseball drama flick '42') and it also costars Nelsan Ellis, Dan Aykroyd, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Jill Scott and Craig Robinson. It was written by Steven Baigelman and Jez and John-Henry Butterworth and directed by Tate Taylor (who also wrote and directed 'THE HELP'; which also costarred Davis, Spencer and Ellis). The movie was also co-produced by another legendary musician; Mick Jagger (who's played by Nick Eversman, briefly, in the film). I think it's a well-intentioned movie, and really well acted, but it's also not without it's flaws (some pretty noticeable ones).
The film begins, and ends, in 1993; at a show James Brown (Boseman) performed at, in front of a very large and sold-out crowd (of course). It cuts to several flashbacks, exploring Brown's life; from his poor childhood through his rise to music superstardom (and beyond). The story focuses on his relationships with his best friend, and musical partner, Bobby Byrd (Nelsan), his manager Ben Bart (Aykroyd) and his family. It shows examples of his inspirational highs, as well as his abusive, and self-absorbed, lows. It also features multiple, energetic, musical numbers throughout; Boseman did all of his own dancing and some of his own singing.
The movie features some pretty impressive performances (especially by Boseman, who's Oscar worthy in it) and it's also decently directed. It's informative (for the uneducated, at least) and inspirational, at times, as well. The film's one main flaw though, is that it tries to cram too much story into one movie; like almost all biopics do. A lot of the characters, and important elements of the film, seem underdeveloped; as a result. The movie does have a lot of great moments though; especially if you're a fan of James Brown, or music in general.
Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: youtu.be/8N2akEQThTU
Musical biopic about the life of James Brown. The film stars Chadwick Boseman as Brown (he also played Jackie Robinson, in the 2013 baseball drama flick '42') and it also costars Nelsan Ellis, Dan Aykroyd, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Jill Scott and Craig Robinson. It was written by Steven Baigelman and Jez and John-Henry Butterworth and directed by Tate Taylor (who also wrote and directed 'THE HELP'; which also costarred Davis, Spencer and Ellis). The movie was also co-produced by another legendary musician; Mick Jagger (who's played by Nick Eversman, briefly, in the film). I think it's a well-intentioned movie, and really well acted, but it's also not without it's flaws (some pretty noticeable ones).
The film begins, and ends, in 1993; at a show James Brown (Boseman) performed at, in front of a very large and sold-out crowd (of course). It cuts to several flashbacks, exploring Brown's life; from his poor childhood through his rise to music superstardom (and beyond). The story focuses on his relationships with his best friend, and musical partner, Bobby Byrd (Nelsan), his manager Ben Bart (Aykroyd) and his family. It shows examples of his inspirational highs, as well as his abusive, and self-absorbed, lows. It also features multiple, energetic, musical numbers throughout; Boseman did all of his own dancing and some of his own singing.
The movie features some pretty impressive performances (especially by Boseman, who's Oscar worthy in it) and it's also decently directed. It's informative (for the uneducated, at least) and inspirational, at times, as well. The film's one main flaw though, is that it tries to cram too much story into one movie; like almost all biopics do. A lot of the characters, and important elements of the film, seem underdeveloped; as a result. The movie does have a lot of great moments though; especially if you're a fan of James Brown, or music in general.
Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: youtu.be/8N2akEQThTU