 "The simple minded version of JCS" | 2009-11-12 |
| - Reviewed By User: A35L2E8M7S59MQ |
As a lifetime fan of Jesus Christ Superstar who has opened his mind to many interpretations of this story, and of the music, I must say that Jesus Christ Superstar 2000 is perhaps my least favorite "professional" production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's classic rock-opera. Perhaps I am biased from being raised on the 70s film starring Ted Neely in the role of Christ, and Carl Anderson as Judas, but I honestly don't think that I am biased, even having heard Neely live, for I have accepted many other recordings. The cast of 2000 is just not right! It is flawed in many, many ways.
For starters I'm going to do presentation. The entire film is set in essential the same sets, which I have no problem with, seeing as I'm a proud fan of theater. My problem is not the sets, but the entire art design of this production. What I do have a problem with is that this production destroys what the best productions had aimed for, which was finding common ground for ALL audiences. One major appeal of the 1970s film was that they tried to not discriminate against the Romans, or the Jewish leaders; it was very open, and fair in its portrayals, even adding a song to Caiaphas and Annas to show that their reaction to Jesus' popularity wasn't of spite, but of fear (which, given the time, is COMPLETELY understandable). In this production the Jewish leaders are portrayed as evil, and I'm not Jewish, but this just is low, because anyone who has studied history should know that the reaction to Jesus was completely natural; no one wanted a rabble rouser to start a problem...because that would mean the Roman army would come back. Also, every character in this production - even the lepers - all look GREAT, as in fine specimens of the human race.
Getting around to the performers; Glen Carter leads the cast and as Jesus falls short in every regard. He seems to have come for a church choir audition oblivious to the fact that this is a ROCK (key word being ROCK) opera. His soft, mellow voice is not fit for the role in the slightest. Even worse is the fact that he just isn't at all convincing in the role. Take away Ted Neely's beard and long hair in the original film and he STILL gave a convincing performance in the role; the intensity in his eyes as if he knew something was great and he radiated a strong presence. Glen Carter has no such aura.
Jérôme Pradon is the real problem with this production. His scratchy voice is not at all fitting for the role of Judas, who is actually SUPPOSED to be the real star of this musical. This musical is mainly from Judas' perspective, and he is supposed to be a sympathetic character whose path has been set by God and he can't change it. 2000's portrayal returns the nihilistic interpretation where Judas is shown as nothing more that a schemer, and given the way Pradon sings the part it's obvious they wanted the most snake-like voice they could find when casting. Whoever lead the production seems oblivious the fact that this musical's point was to show Judas in a human light.
In all there are a few good numbers in here, but nothing that really stands out. What I remember most is just how dumbed down they've made the story. For the flogging here there is more blood than the original film, but no where near as brutal (they have people SLAP him in this one...SLAPPING!). They've turned a musical that shows the complex, human aspects of these historic figures and turned it into a simple "Good and Evil" story. In one line they even have Annas say "Is that it for the Jewish dream?" in a maniacal tone while Jesus is taken to trial...isn't' Annas SUPPOSED TO BE JEWISH?! The logic of this lyric particularly has me baffled because people into history should know that the Jewish leaders acted on what they believed to be their best interest, not to destroy their own dreams. So its little things like this that make an otherwise stylish production lose all value with me as a fan of the musical.
I guess this version is meant for the more traditional Christians than the original, but at that price it totally ostracizes anyone outside the Christian faith. As a Christian, and a fan of this musical, I was not at all impressed by this production. Numbers that should have rocked the house such as Heaven On Their Minds, Gethsemane, and Superstar fall horribly flat while the only good numbers are small ones such as Pilate And Christ, Jesus Must Die, Simon Zealotes, and Peter's Denial. This is the most forgettable version of the musical I have ever seen and I recommend you sticking with the original which is a thought provoking, timeless classic with rocking tunes and performers with sheer talent.
P.S. Pretty arrogant of Andrew Lloyd Webber to have them title it "Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar 2000" when fans should know that the story concept, and lyrics were written and conceived by Tim Rice.
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 "A More Sensual Jesus" | 2009-07-21 |
| - Reviewed By castlebooknook |
I've watched numerous Jesus movies always wishing to learn something new about Christ. In "Jesus Christ Superstar" it almost seems you learn too much. Mary Magdalene and Jesus are very sensuously involved with one another and this seems to form a distraction from the horror of Jesus' final hours. On one level I loved the singing and choreography and on another level I felt that women in black leather outfits with wings on their backs might have been a bit much even though it was highly entertaining - which is probably the point.
The story is brutal at times while Jesus is being beaten but then a frivolous number will play where Herod asks Jesus to walk across his pool and then he'll be saved. The problem is you are laughing at the things Herod is saying while feeling guilty that you are enjoying being entertained while Christ is suffering. He just looks on as the dancing goes on.
Glenn Carter played the part of Jesus superbly and his singing was incredible. The emotions between Judas and Jesus seem valid and almost heartbreaking. Judas must have felt some remorse for the betrayal as he hangs himself.
My only question was why did Judas come back from the dead to taunt Jesus one more time and with dancing girls who seemed out of place in a crucifixion scene. I will admit that while I enjoy watching dancing some of the dancing and singing seemed a little sacrilegious. Why would anyone want to make jokes while Jesus is obviously in pain. At times it seemed to go over the top for the desired effect. Many of the lyrics have also been changed as I noticed while watching the 70s version.
I'm glad I did watch this since I was not allowed to see the original movie in the 70s as a child. I think it would have warped my mind a little so I am glad my parents didn't let me watch it. In this new movie some of the scenes are very dark and somewhat frightening for a child. This definitely seems to be an adult movie. I think this movie should have been rated at least R due to some of the sensual dancing scenes and violence to Jesus in one scene where he is splattered with blood. Unlike the original 70s version I did not feel emotional at the end.
I think the message of Christ's mission still comes across very well. He is also much more human almost begging God to not kill him all while saying he is willing if that is how it must be.
So if you watch this and want to know more about Jesus I can recommend:
365 WWJD: Daily Answers to What Would Jesus Do?
Hear Him! The One Hundred Twenty-Five Commands of Jesus
Jesus: Why the World Is Still Fascinated by Him
Jesus: An Intimate Portrait of the Man, His Land, and His People
The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
The End Times : In the Words of Jesus
Jesus- a movie you will love.
~The Rebecca Review
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| "Excellent" | 2009-05-15 |
| - Reviewed By cajun_videos |
| I always enjoy the chance to see a broadway production, especially when they usually don't come to my little small town very often, so I found this film of the broadway production of Jesus Christ Superstar very cool. I thought the music was great, as was the acting, and I thought this was better than the old movie version. |
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| "you cannot compare 1960's and this version!!!" | 2009-04-13 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3LZNZU9EI702X |
I have read so many reviews saying that this version sucked and that this version cannot hold a candle to anything. I cannot disagree more this version has great singers ranging in thier styles and ranges that go together perfectly! jerome pradon as an example is a wonderful singer using his voice to tell a story it was because of his rock like lisp that i listened more intently to the lyrics and began to sympathise with Judas which i had never done befor. This movie uses the long flowing look of jesus to copare to the punk ruggad judas and thier voices are as different as thier looks! as to people saying that this version sucked they are wrong. this version was filmed entirley indoors which makes the story so much easier to understand the simplicity is genius!!
so kudos to jerome pradon and he enitre cast for a superb version. |
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 "JCS2000" | 2009-01-11 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1Y4RU18DAGYBU |
| This is a wonderfull stage prduction. I like it better then the oringal movie. |
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| "Awesome" | 2008-08-14 |
| - Reviewed By dominar |
| 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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