Worst2First: My Top Ten Musicals

Worst2First: 

My Top Ten Musicals

I absolutely love musicals, because they express emotions and ideas in a way that normal speaking films can't do, and often include lavish dance numbers with stunning choreography and vivid visuals.  Not to mention that the songs are catchy and memorable, and often convey emotions more powerful than just speaking them.

Here are my personal top ten musicals, worst2first...

**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**

#10

 Moulin Rouge!

Baz Luhrmann directed this fabulous musical about a young English writer (played by Ewan McGregor) who falls in love with the star of Moulin Rouge, cabaret actress Satine (played by Nicole Kidman).  The musical blended popular songs by Elton John and The Police and gave it a nineteenth-century feel to them, combining exquisite dance numbers and an exciting story.  The film was the first musical since "Beauty and the Beast" to be nominated for Best Picture, and contains several memorable songs, most notably the remake of "Lady Marmalade" by Christina Aguliera, Pink, Lil' Kim and Mya.

#9

La La Land

Damien Chazelle brings to life the story of two star-crossed lovers in Los Angeles - one (Ryan Gosling) is an aspiring jazz musician, and the other (Emma Stone) is an aspiring actress.  Together they traverse the world of Los Angeles with their dreams and form a deep, emotional relationship.  The film was nominated for several Oscars, earning Chazelle his first Best Director Oscar as well as Original Song for "City of Stars," but my personal favorite is Emma Stone's "Audition (The Fools Who Dream)," which was also nominated for Original Song.

#8

Grease

The story of Olivia Newton-John's good girl and John Travolta's bad boy coming together in the 1950s is a pure classic and purely enjoyable from start to finish.  Filled with exciting dance numbers and catchy tunes, many of them have become icons in pop culture, and my personal favorite song from the film is "You're the One That I Want," especially the choreography through the carnival.

#7

Once

I'm sensing a pattern here, as "Once" also focuses on two young people finding love.  Here, it's two struggling musicians in Dublin who find each other and literally make beautiful music together.  The film was an international hit, being made for a measly 112,000 pounds and grossing much more.  The film starred Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, and their most memorable song, "Falling Slowly," won the Oscar for Best Original Song.

#6

Chicago

The first musical to win Best Picture since "Oliver!" in 1968, "Chicago" tells the story of several women incarcerated for murder in Chicago in the 1920s, including famed singer Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones, who won the Best Supporting Actress for her role) and housewife Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger, who was nominated for Best Actress).  The set pieces and costume designs were one of a kind, and this film re-vitalized the musical movement in theaters, proving it could be more than just a prestige film, but one audiences were dying to see.  There's loads of amazing songs, but my personal favorite is the "Cell Block Tango."

#5

Fiddler on the Roof

A film about the struggles of religious traditions and strong-willed individuals, "Fiddler on the Roof" tells the story of Tevye (Topol, in an Academy Award-nominated role), a man with strong Jewish traditions who struggles with his strong-willed daughters, who wish to marry outside their religion.  Filled with heartfelt performances and powerful songs, it's "If I Were a Rich Man" that stands out above the rest.

#4

 Beauty and the Beast

The classic Disney animated film was the first animated film to earn the Best Picture Oscar nomination, and the remake is every bit as beautiful as its animated predecessor.  The film features Belle - the most beautiful girl in a small town - and the Beast - a former prince who was cursed and turned into a beast.  The songs are amazing and beautiful, and there's none that compare to the iconic title song, with the beautiful dance number that accompanies it.

#3

The Greatest Showman

Hugh Jackman stars as P.T. Barnum, who created the circus that we know today.  Even though the film isn't a factual re-telling of his life, it's filled with soaring musical numbers and some of the best choreography I've ever seen in a musical, and tells an important message about never giving up on your dreams.  The songs - written by the same duo who wrote the songs for "La La Land" - are equally catchy and touching, and none hold a candle to Keala Settle's soaring opus to the downtrodden and forgotten, "This is Me."

#2

Les Miserables

Set in 19th Century France, this classic tells the story of Jean Valjean, who was a former convict who takes in an orphaned girl after her mother dies, and also explores the Paris Uprising of 1832.  An all-star cast contributed to the significance of the songs and choreography, but it's Anne Hathaway's Oscar-winning performance of "I Dreamed a Dream" that didn't leave a dry eye in the house.

#1

The Sound of Music

Pretty much everyone has heard of "The Sound of Music," and it's no surprise why it's still heralded as the best musical ever made.  Starring Julie Andrews, the film centers on the Von Trapp family singers living their perfect life in Austria, and the governess who lives with the widowed captain and his seven children who bring a new sense of life and music to their house.  Numerous songs are memorable, but none are as iconic as "The Hills Are Alive."