New look, New Actors, same awesome music for a new generation to enjoy!
I was really excited about this version of the musical! I had never seen previous versions until last Summer, when I had the opportunity to go to London. Since I love the Spice Girls (Sporty Spice Melanie C is in this version as Mary) I went to a live taping of the Jesus Christ Superstar reality show that she and Andrew Lloyd Webber were judges for. All I can say is: WOW!
The performances to find the new Jesus were spectacular! I've been to reality talent show tapings in the US, but this one ran like clockwork, which amazing sets moving in and out. During the commercial breaks the audience got to ask the judges questions, and Andrew's comments were really fascinating. He said how JCS was a huge hit in American back in the 70s, but flopped in the UK! In the 70s it was playing arenas and hitting the top 40 with their music, but the UK never got to experience it in an arena as it was intended to be.
This production does have a new age look to it, but you get...
A fine looking, well produced version, but...
This has been my favorite rock musical since the original album was released when I was a pre-teen. I have followed most every available version since, and so picking up the blu-ray of this production was pretty nearly obligatory.
Overall I enjoyed this production, I was a little concerned early on that they were going to take huge liberties with the material because the first couple minutes were pretty heavily saturated with occupy wall st-esque graphics, but things settle down after that and they perform the show in a manner respectful of the original, with some inventive staging.
The cast was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I really enjoyed Tim Minchin (Judas), Melanie (Mary Magdalene) and the supporting cast playing Pilate, Herod, Caiaphas, Annas, etc. Where I ran into a bit of difficulty was Ben Forster's portrayal of Jesus, which just didn't connect with me personally. I know many people find him a fantastic performer, but for me he was just a little subdued...
spectacular stage production
I just watched my Hong Kong, Area 1 version of this blu-ray and it is spectacular in sight and sound. If you wanted to see Jesus Christ Superstar as a stage production,this is the one you have got to buy. The sound is DTS 5.1 HD and the vocals and music score are first rate. This was recorded LIVE onstage and watching the show and stage work is spectacular,not simple or cheesy looking. Universal is the producer and they made a definite 10 on a scale of 1-10 for both sight and sound on this work! Too bad their movie version of the sound wasn't this good.IF you just like the music only,go ahead and get this disc and enjoy anyway! some little extra stage action is added by the actors and helps the situation seem real.Don't try to compare this show with the movie version,there both different in style.
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