Worf101
01-29-2007, 04:49 AM
Saw this with friends over the weekend and while not a "perfect" film I give it a B-Plus in my book. Eddie Murphy is stellar as Jimmy Thunder (an amalgam of James Brown, Marvin Gaye and others) while Jamie Fox gives us a spot-on imitation of Berry Gordy during the early days of Motown. The scene stealer however is "American Idol" reject Jennifer White who plays Effie a characther who's life and tradgedies mirrors those of early Supreme Florence Ballard. She's the strongest voice this side of Aretha Franklin. She slew me.
Indeed if you're unfamiliar with the Motown Story... "The Sound of Young America", "Hitsville U.S.A." then this story will mean little to you. Even if you're not familiar with the backstory though you can enjoy the songs and dance. I loved the title song as well as some others and will be buying the soundtrack, but not the movie soundtrack., the stage soundtrack, with my cousin Sheryl Lee -Ralph and Jennifer Holiday is superior to me to the movie soundtrack. Don't say I didn't tell ya. If you love musicals, and/or soul music, give it try, you won't be disappointed.
Da Worfster
Indeed if you're unfamiliar with the Motown Story... "The Sound of Young America", "Hitsville U.S.A." then this story will mean little to you. Even if you're not familiar with the backstory though you can enjoy the songs and dance. I loved the title song as well as some others and will be buying the soundtrack, but not the movie soundtrack., the stage soundtrack, with my cousin Sheryl Lee -Ralph and Jennifer Holiday is superior to me to the movie soundtrack. Don't say I didn't tell ya. If you love musicals, and/or soul music, give it try, you won't be disappointed.
Da Worfster