Jesus Christ Superstar | List Price: $19.98
Discount Price: $8.63
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Brand: Universal
Binding: DVD
Release Date: 2001-03-20
Jesus meets GQ [Posted on 2008-02-08]
Visually and musically stunning, this stage-acted production of JCS seems less a re-imagination than a refitting of the original in contemporary high fashion and music video.
Comparing this production to the 1973 movie is, in some ways, like comparing apples to oranges: The acting in a stage production will always differ substantially from the same roles acted in a movie, the former being inherently melodramatic to reach a theater audience, and the latter being subdued for the cameras (and refined through multiple retakes of a scene).
Adorned in pricey attire, beautifully lit, buff and moisturized, the cast of this JCS is reminiscent of Details Magazine or Abercrombie ads: Uniformly attractive and, due to their spotless appearance, artificial. Many fans of the original JCS (including me) may find this Madison Avenue version of modernity unrealistic and contrary to the poverty and rugged living conditions of Jesus' times as well as the present-day Middle East. But the intent of this production was to make JCS ultra-contemporary for a post-MTV generation. Thanks to minimalist set design and excellent photography, the ultra-contemporary concept is well-executed.
The script, songs and timing of the new JCS closely follow the original with little noticeable variation. And like the original production, this one lacks rootedness in the Jewish faith of Jesus and his followers -- but then, so do most productions about Jesus.
One big break with the 1973 movie is in setting: The original movie was set in gritty, desolate Holy Land locations. The new movie is set in a clean, expensive-looking, post-modern urban plaza that lacks historical context.
Another break: Jerome Pradon's courageous and vulnerable (if sometimes melodramatic) new take on an insecure and emotionally wounded Judas.
Glenn Carter is satisfactory as Jesus, especially at crucifixion, though at times his performance (like his fellow cast members) is too smooth, glamorous, and "theatrical" for such emotionally and physically traumatic circumstances.
Like its predecessors, this production forfeited the opportunity to connect JCS to historical or present-day politics of religious hypocrisy and occupation -- forces that prompted the crucifixion. Jesus' persecutors are instead portrayed as fictitious Goth fascist egotists with no plausible real-world equivalent.
I give this movie three-and-a-half stars for its dazzling production values, music, casting, and execution of a concept: Jesus of Nazareth meets contemporary fashion and personal expression.
I subtract a star-and-a-half for overemphasis on fashion, absence of religious and political context, and performances that try a little TOO hard (at times) to be theatrical.
Jesus Christ Superstar [Posted on 2008-02-08]
I am so glad i purchased this for my husband. We have the vhs version, but as we have discovered, The DVD versions seem to be so much clearer, and as far as sound, WOW!. Awesome. The extras are great and full of information we had no idea about. And Glenn Carter can hit notes that leave alot of singers in the dust. As does the rest of the cast. I am so glad this came out on DVD.
Absolutely terrible [Posted on 2008-04-17]
I can think of one good thing about this production; it's the the feeling you get when it's over and you don't have to see it again.
Onto the bad things. Jerome Pradon spends the whole thing trying to sing out of his range, and squealing like a fool in the process. It's *awful*. Granted, as English isn't his first language I could go easy on him for sounding slightly mental, but there is no excuse for selecting such an inadequate singer for the role of Judas.
Glenn Carter's smug, "Love me" expression is not appropriate. It's not appropriate for someone even remotely related to an all-knowing God, and it's certainly not appropriate for someone with such a weak voice.
Rik Mayall is utterly embarrassing as Herod. The U-Boat captain that they cast as Pilate is equally as baffling. The funniest moment in his scenes would be where he's supposed to sing : "You innocent puppet", and ends up singing "You innocent Papayat".
If anyone knows what a papayat is, please e-mail me.
The rest of the cast is really too mediocre to bother with. Annas was amusing, I'll say that much.
This production was directed (obviously) by someone with a severe lack of understanding with regards to what made the 1973 film so awesome. They took away all of the human moments, and the subtelty, and turned it into a cartoon. With crap singing.
They deleted songs that might imply that Caiaphas and Annas were just doing 'what they thought was right for their country' and instead turned them into virtually moustache-twirling villains.
This DVD is aimed at the 30-50 IQ demographic. Steer clear of this if you like good music, played good.
Jesus Christ SuperStar [Posted on 2008-05-04]
This is the best version of this musical I've seen. I watch this for the musical and vocal content only, and though it does have some truth behind it, do not compare it to the gospel itself. So, if you're looking for a good show, then grab it. If you're looking for pure truth, grab a Bible instead.
Awesome [Posted on 2008-08-14]
At least this is the complete version. The CD had me worried with its omission of a few key songs. As I stated in my review of the CD, this is probably the most emotive of any of the versions I own, the original Rock Opera, the original Soundtrack, and this. I think the rock operas Jesus is the best, but now I'm just grasping at straws. There are versions of each that I think out do the others. This is very well done, very contemporary. They accomplished everything they set out to. This is very well worth the watch.
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