BURLESQUE 3.0***


“Burlesque” is a dazzling movie musical.. a sensual delight.. not just because there are a bevy of beautiful women in very sexy costumes dancing and strutting their stuff… and there is a lot of fine stuff. But then, what else would you expect in a movie about burlesque. If you are offended or embarrassed by the beauty of the female body then go see “Toy Story 3” again.

The story is not unique and has been often used. Ali, a young talented, very attractive girl from Iowa (Christine Aguilera) decides to leave home and go to, where else, but Los Angeles and pursue a singing career She ends up at a burlesque theatre owned and operated by Tess (Cher). Tess initially flatly refuses to hire her but Ali ends up being a bar waitress and from there literally soaks up all she sees and hears on and off the stage. Backed by newfound friends amongst the theater's crew, she eventually manages to get on stage and dance and eventually sing. Things take a dramatic turn when Ali's big voice makes her become the main attraction of the burlesque revue.
The film has it’s good and bad points. First the Bad;
+ Historically and artistically the movie does not show TRUE burlesque which is usually a solo performance with a theme and with stripping although usually done with a lot of feathers and balloons or other obstructions. Instead this movie gives you Las Vegas style production numbers with lots of girls with burlesque as the ongoing theme. But the production numbers are terrific with a lot of energy, great music and sensational dancing…and of course gorgeous women.
+ Christina Aguilera is excellent in the movie but is overused ..too much singing from one performer, even a very good performer, become repetitious and tiresome. There should have been at least one more singer in addition to CA and Cher.
Now the Good;
+ It’s great to have Cher back in a role perfect for her. She does a great and shows that she can still belt out a tune like nobody’s business.
+Christine Aguilera, while overused for singing, is excellent and proves she can shake her stuff, i.e. “dance” with the best of them in addition to being a good actress. Of course, everyone knows or should know how well she sings.
+The film’s production, especially for the dance numbers, is sensational…on the same high scale as “Chicago” and “Nine”.
+It’s a lot of fun..it’s “feel good” and it’s sexy.. it doesn’t get much better than that.

Rated PG-13 for sexual content including several suggestive dance routines, partial nudity, and some language but overall it is relatively tame.


Clark