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Chicago

Chicago (2002)

tomatometer

88

Average Rating: 7.8/10
Reviews Counted: 211
Fresh: 185 | Rotten: 26

A rousing and energetic adaptation of the Broadway musical, Chicago succeeds on the level pure spectacle, but provides a surprising level of depth and humor as well.

92

Average Rating: 8.1/10
Critic Reviews: 38
Fresh: 35 | Rotten: 3

A rousing and energetic adaptation of the Broadway musical, Chicago succeeds on the level pure spectacle, but provides a surprising level of depth and humor as well.

audience

80

liked it
Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 409,805

My Rating

Movie Info

A starry-eyed would-be star discovers just how far the notion that "there's no such thing as bad publicity" can go in this screen adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Chicago, originally directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse. In the mid-'20s, Roxie Hart (Renee Zellweger) is a small-time chorus dancer married to a well-meaning dunderhead named Amos (John C. Reilly). Roxie is having an affair on the side with Fred Casley (Dominic West), a smooth talker who insists he can make her a star.

PG-13, 1 hr. 53 min.

Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Comedy

Bill Condon

Aug 19, 2003

$170.6M

Miramax Films

Cast

All Critics (211) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (196) | Rotten (27) | DVD (47)

This Oscar-laden movie rendition, directed by Rob Marshall, suffers from the kind of ants-in-your-pants MTV editing that prevents you from simply watching and enjoying the musical numbers.

February 6, 2007 Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | Comment
Chicago Reader
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Scintillating, jazz-hot adaptation.

April 22, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Daily News | Comment
New York Daily News
Top Critic IconTop Critic

This film adaptation, written by Bill Condon, is somewhat kinder and gentler than the stage versions that preceded it.

February 14, 2003 Full Review Source: Boston Globe | Comment
Boston Globe
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Chicago is, in many ways, an admirable achievement.

January 16, 2003 Full Review Source: New York Observer | Comment
New York Observer
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones put on quite a show in Rob Marshall's dazzling cinematic rethinking of the 1975 Kander and Ebb musical directed by Bob Fosse.

January 14, 2003 Comment
Newsweek
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Leggy Zeta-Jones is so hot in the 'All That Jazz' number, she's flammable. And Zellweger defines delicious.

January 9, 2003 Comment
Rolling Stone
Top Critic IconTop Critic

Considering that none of the three leads is a pro singer or dancer, Chicago is surprisingly a brassy, enjoyable movie musical, with at least a couple of risque production numbers.

February 26, 2011 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | Comment

Oscar-winning satire all about the razzle-dazzle.

December 22, 2010 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | Comment
Common Sense Media

Chicago is a stunning show stopper, a seamless integration of toe-tapping tunes, riveting routines in the wicked and wonderful seedy side of the swing city.

October 18, 2008 Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | Comment
Urban Cinefile

Good, easygoing, sometimes inspired entertainment.

August 13, 2008 Full Review Source: Film4 | Comment

Here, finally, is a movie musical made by people who know what they're doing.

August 13, 2007 Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | Comment
eFilmCritic.com

Sustains its energy and momentum and cleverly continues to weave together a realistic narrative with staged theatrical interpretations.

July 25, 2007 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

Each musical number builds to such a frantic climax that the audience is nearly moved to applaud the actors on screen.

July 14, 2007 Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | Comments (4)
Big Picture Big Sound

A shallow work without a true moral framework, it sees the world as a posturing showbusiness arena, a stage for celebrities to briefly strut their stuff and go on their way.

February 6, 2007 Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | Comments (3)
Guardian [UK]

Marshall betrays the dancing by never letting us see it properly.

June 24, 2006 Full Review Source: Time Out | Comment

Choreographer Rob Marshall makes his feature debut, toning town the Fosse-ness and keeping things snappy.

May 26, 2006 Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | Comment
Combustible Celluloid

a wildly cynical and sardonic piece, yet hysterical in its own right - about as unlike Seven Brides for Seven Brothers as you can get

February 5, 2006 Full Review Source: 7M Pictures | Comment
7M Pictures

Wins itself an acquittal, if only moderately so.

January 13, 2006 Full Review Source: Now Playing Magazine | Comment

I really enjoyed Chicago during its theatrical run, and now that I've seen it twice more on DVD, the thing's fast becoming a personal favorite.

December 29, 2005 Full Review Source: DVDTalk.com | Comment
DVDTalk.com

The new Razzle-Dazzle Edition does up the movie proud, improving upon the older DVD edition in almost every way. (Razzle-Dazzle Edition two-disc set)

December 20, 2005 Full Review Source: Movie Metropolis | Comment
Movie Metropolis

Singing live in the rehearsal hall while going through the strenuous motions of Marshall's choreography, Zeta-Jones is every inch the consummate performer and undeniable star.

December 19, 2005 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | Comment
TheMovieReport.com

The energy of the performances and John Kander and Fred Ebb's enduring score push the musical scenes and the entire film over any hurdle -- yes, even including that misbegotten casting of Gere.

December 6, 2005 Full Review Source: Film Threat | Comment (1)
Film Threat
More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Chicago

Ostentatious musical takes a sarcastic look at the story of two murderesses and their rise (or rises, one could say) to fame on the stage. This was the first musical in 33 years to win Best Picture, the previous being OLIVER! in 1969, and I can now honestly say that this didn't deserve to win Best Picture, but it did

July 20, 2011
spielberg00
Alexander Diminiano

Super Reviewer

A very well choreographed film, with good acting and songs. It isn't my cup of tea, to be honest.

January 22, 2011
CreedsDelight

Super Reviewer

    1. Roxie Hart: Baby what baby? Oh!.. Jesus...
    – Submitted by Rawballs B (10 days ago)
    1. Roxie Hart: You want some advice, well here's a piece of advice from me to you, lay, to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
    – Submitted by Erin M (6 months ago)
    1. Matron Mama Morton: I'd like to be your friend, if you let me. So if there's something that upsets you or makes you unhappy in any way, don't shoot your fat ass mouth off to me, 'cause I don't give a shit. Now move it out!
    – Submitted by Mauricio R (8 months ago)
    1. Velma Kelly: He was trying to burgle me.
    2. Assistant District Attorney Martin Harrison: From what I hear, he's been burgling you three times a week for the past month.
    – Submitted by D Edward F (11 months ago)
    1. Assistant District Attorney Martin Harrison: This is hanging case, and we're ready to go to in front of the jury tomorrow.
    2. Roxie Hart: Wha-Wha-What do you mean hanging?
    3. Assistant District Attorney Martin Harrison: You're not so tough now, are you?
    4. Velma Kelly: What do ya mean hanging?
    – Submitted by D Edward F (11 months ago)

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