Normally I am the type of person who avoids musical movies at all costs. I absolutely despised High School Musical (after being forced to listen to it all day, you'll understand why) and cringed when Camp Rock came blaring from the TV of any kid I babysat. I just excepted the fact that I would just not find a musical movie that I would actually enjoy. However, that all changed when I watched "The Greatest Showman" for the first time over the winter break. This movie opened up a world of performance that I had never seen before on a movie screen. I was in awe of the music, dancing, acting, and just the pure passion brought forward in the movie. This movie is loosely based off the life of businessman P.T. Barnum, played by Hugh Jackman, and the creation of the circus in a plethora of powerful songs, colorful costumes, exciting acrobatics, and a wide variety of scenes that leave you speechless. "The Greatest Showman" is definitely the movie of the year and probably of the century, and there are many reasons why you should drop everything you are doing and go see it. FYI, there will be no spoilers in this article because I want people that have not seen it yet to have the same magical experience I had.
1. Hugh Jackman as P.T. Barnum
As someone who knows very little about the world of musical theatre, I was surprised to see the Wolverine actor signing and dancing on the silver screen. Jackman brought a character and person that many people do not know much about to life in this film. He danced and sang his way into my heart and is now one of my favorite actors ever! It also helps that I find him to be extremely attractive.
2. The Actual History behind the Movie (the REAL P.T. Barnum)
Yes, I know the movie is not historically accurate. Just let me enjoy the pure magic of this it. But seriously though, the history major in me was curious to learn more about who exactly P.T. Barnum was and learn more about his circus. I was surprised to learn that he didn't get into the circus business until he was 60 years old! Which is funny because in the movie, they picture Barnum as a younger man starting his circus. Guess that is just Hollywood glamorizing history for ya. Fun fact: Barnum also got his hands into politics in 1865 when he won a seat in the Connecticut General Assembly.3. My Queen and Savior Zendaya
Everything that Zendaya does, says, touches, etc. turns to gold! She absolutely killed it as Anne Wheeler, the beautiful and talented acrobat with awesome pink hair. Watching her swing on the trapeze left me in sheer awe and wonderment because, come on! It's freaking Zendaya! She brought forth a little bit of herself in this character with her sassy comebacks, but also showed a more sensitive, intimate side of her that we rarely get to see as she showed her character's burning love and passion for Zac Efron's character Philip Carlyle. Regardless of what part she could have had in this movie, she would kill it like she always does
4. The Songs
It is genuinely so hard to pick my favorite song from this movie because they were all so amazing and sung by incredibly talented people (Keala Settle, Zendaya, Michelle Williams, etc.). Each song made my heart skip a beat, cry, and dance (in no particular order. I have probably listened to the soundtrack over 20 times by this point and have nearly mastered all of the songs' lyrics. The raw power Keala Settle (who by this point should have a Grammy) showed in "This is Me"left me speechless and in tears. She sang of how being different is ok and we should embrace who we are despite our flaws. This song for me was extremely personal because, for a long time, I had felt that I was different and the I didn't belong because of my anxiety. It made me feel that wasn't perfect enough to be loved for I was. However, this song showed me that no matter how different or "imperfect" I am "I am brave, I am bruised, I am who i'm meant to be, this is me."
5. The Inspiring Messages
It is clear to see the multiple messages the movie brings forth to teach us. From this movie, I learned that it is ok to dream big. Experience life and take in what it has to offer you. Never give up when things look difficult. Love is not defined by the color of our skin, but rather how we can "rewrite the stars" and how that change starts with us. When you lose your way in finding fame and glory, remember where you started and maintain what is most important to you. And of course, if the "normal" world knocks you down and rejects you for being you, pick yourself back up and hold your head up with pride because you are brave and you were who you were meant to be.
"The Greatest Showman" is not only a fun and entertaining movie, it also has parallels to what is happening in the real world. We could learn a lot from a bunch or circus performers and "Prince Humbug", P.T. Barnum himself. This movie will make you laugh, cry, cheer, and dance at the same time. So if you're looking for a movie to go see, I 100% encourage you to go see this one. You'll definitely "come alive" once you experience the pure magic of this film.
