Anonymous wrote:I saw the musical on Broadway years ago and walked out stunned at how much I hated it. I know tons of people love it but I was super excited to see it and didn't like it. The musical numbers were long and forced and I felt the same way about the plot. Have no plans to see the movie.

Saw stage production at Kennedy Center last year. It was......nice. I thought I would love it but I didn't. But then I bought the sound track and started listening to it over and over and I really fell in love with the music. Don't know why. It's more opera than it is musical and I'm not much of an opera person so I get why I wasn't bowled over by it with my first exposure. But the orchestration is so complex (at least for me, a novice) that it really holds up over multiple listenings. Looking forward to seeing the movie.

Hated Cats.

Loved the stage production of Les Mis. Liked the movie, but PPs have already noted flaws/problems.

Oh, PP here and just wanted to throw in that Cats is actually based on TS Eliot's "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats."

Anonymous wrote:PP^^^ I liked Les Miz on stage. The one I hated and still hate with a passion is Cats. Where the f**& is the plot. It is just a bunch of people dressed up as cats singing. That musical sucks a$$.

I loved Cats, if only for sentimental reasons, but this post made me LOL!!

PP^^^ I liked Les Miz on stage. The one I hated and still hate with a passion is Cats. Where the f**& is the plot. It is just a bunch of people dressed up as cats singing. That musical sucks a$$.

I saw the musical on Broadway years ago and walked out stunned at how much I hated it. I know tons of people love it but I was super excited to see it and didn't like it. The musical numbers were long and forced and I felt the same way about the plot. Have no plans to see the movie.

I've seen it many times on stage and loved it! I wasn't expecting to love the movie, but I did. I absolutely loved everything about it.

How are the transition segments? Those in between phrases have become my favorite over the years. The lyrics and story move me like no other so I can't imagine not loving the film even if the vocals are underwhelming.

Anonymous wrote:Les Mis was meant to be performed on stage. If you are looking for something better than seeing it on Broadway or in London, you aren't going to be happy. The experiences can't be compared. If you love the story and want to see how they did it on the big screen, you'll be thrilled. It is visually spectacular. The singing . . . yeah, I won't buy the recording. But it was lovely.

Yes, this is a movie- not a stage show. Comparing apples to oranges.

Les Mis was meant to be performed on stage. If you are looking for something better than seeing it on Broadway or in London, you aren't going to be happy. The experiences can't be compared. If you love the story and want to see how they did it on the big screen, you'll be thrilled. It is visually spectacular. The singing . . . yeah, I won't buy the recording. But it was lovely.

I've seen the London production on TV, and also saw the original stage production in 1985. So I'm wondering, based on all comments on here, whether I would enjoy this newest one. The original '85 one was spectacular (saw it three times!), and wish I could see it again.

Also hated it and I'm a fan of the musical. The singing was too inconsistent. Jackman was painful to listen to after a while, especially "Bring Him Home". Crowe was a huge disappointment, mostly his acting. I didn't expect good singing from him. Amanda Seyfried sounds like a bleating sheep. I know they were going for "authenticity" with actors singing live while filming, but Christ, give me a professional recording any day.

Absolutely loved it.

I'm with you, OP, I thought it was awful. I really enjoyed Lincoln though. So far, best movie I've seen this holiday season is Argo, hands down.

Anonymous wrote:
She should be good -- played Eponine in the West End.

Her name is Samantha Barks -- she was also Eponine in the 25th anniversary concert ... you know, the one with Nick Jonas.

My problem with Jackman is that he's not a tenor -- didn't bother me until they got to "Bring Him Home." Key wasn't lowered and he was struggling hard for those notes.

Loved the beginning number, "Do You Hear the People Sing?", and the Paris "Look Down." Loved both singing kids -- awesome. Also loved Sacha Baron Cohen and Eddie Redmayne.