Disney Presents The Music Man (2003 TV Film)
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Free Music Notes for Disney Presents The Music Man (2003 TV Film)
Free Music Review: One extra star for Kristin Chenoweth
Hit: 2 Stars
I feel compelled to respond to a previous reviewer who called this a "Disney soundtrack." I beg to differ; this is a classic Broadway score that has been appropriated, scrubbed, and mangled by Disney. There was no reason for the remake and certainly no reason for this CD to exist. Matthew Broderick was an unmitigated disaster as Harold Hill, probably crammed into the role only because Disney had him on contract and he'd appeared (in more appropriate roles) in the musical theatre before. Hill is supposed to be a salesman of immense personal charisma, energy, and persuasiveness; Broderick simply doesn't have those characteristics. He can't live up to Craig Bierko, much less Robert Preston (whose performance was one of the great star turns of Broadway history). Chenoweth, on the other hand, made a remarkably good Marion and is almost the only person worth listening to on this disc. Unless you fell in love with her, forget this piece of junk and get the original movie soundtrack or the original cast album.Free Music Review: Stick with the 1962 film soundtrack!
Hit: 2 Stars
This soundtrack makes a feeble attempt to recapture the essence of the classic small town Americana musical. Matthew Broderick's Harold Hill is standing in the shadow of a giant, Robert Preston. Preston's larger than life protrayal of the conniving, if loveable professor has laid the groundwork, which few actors can repeat. Definitely not young Broderick whose vocal skill simply cannot reach the task demanded by the role. Young Miss Chenoweth does make a winsome Marion the Librarian. Her voice is sweet, if not memorable. I did enjoy listening to her rendition of My White Knight, a song not heard since the original stage recording.
On the plus side the ensemble cast perform amply, providing pleasant renditions of such songs as Wells Fargo Wagon and Pick-a-Little-Talk-a-Little.
While this soundtrack provides pleasant entertainment If I only had the chance to add one version to my collectionI would definitely choose the Film soundtrack over this new Disney cast recording.
Free Music Review: Chenoweth Shines...but that's about it
Hit: 2 Stars
After watching the movie, I have concluded that Kristin Chenoweth (Marian Paroo), Victor Garber (Mayor Shinn), and Molly Shannon (Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn) were the only good points of the film. Chenoweth's voice was truly incredible and her performance of Marian Paroo was definitely far beyond my expectations! I expected MUCH more from Matthew Broderick, however. His performance was very restricted, and not nearly charismatic, a characteristic essential to any Harold Hill. He had such potential, but used none of it. His singing was weak, and his acting was even weaker. I was thoroughly disappointed. Chorus numbers were weak. Everything, with the exception of the aforementioned actors, was weak. This TV movie did no justice to this amazing story. If you want a Music Man recording, I highly recommend the Broadway Revival with Craig Bierko and Rebecca Luker, or the movie soundtrack with Robert Preston and Shirley Jones. Those 2 are Music Man at its best.Free Music Review: Matthew Broderick is miscast
Hit: 2 Stars
Matthew Broderick was about as charismatic as a stone in this version of the "Music Man". He most definitely was not charming or spellbinding as Professor Harold Hill's character should have been. Kristin Chenoweth was very nasily and often annoying, sounding like she had a clothes pin covering her nose as she spoke, but her singing voice was pretty good and I've seen her in other roles where she shows her talented acting abilities. The rest of the cast was very good, though. Matthew Broderick, is better playing a Harvey Milquetoast character! One could never liken him to a "Pied Piper".Free Music Review: Only Chuck Norris would be worse than Matthew Broderick
Hit: 1 Stars
Comparing the Robet Preston feature presentation to the made for TV version might be unfair, but folks, save your money.
This edition of the Music Man has been put through the Disney Smoothie machine turning a first rate Broadway Musical into a dubbed over, under-acted snoozer.
Only Chuck Norris would have been a worse choice for Harold Hill and that's only cause Chuck can't sing. Obviously trying to top Robert Preston is a difficult job, but Matthew Broderick doesn't even come close. He's too young to have been a "con-man" with any experience. Besides, Disney costume people have him stuffed into a too tight costume and he looks like an overstuffed cheese Danish.
Disney also continues to over-sex their recent movies by placing Ms Chenowith in a way, way too-tight outfit and has her waddling and wiggling herself down the street. Librarians in those days often worked in closed stacked libraries where going up and down ladders to retrieve a book was common. I can't fathom how the heck Chenowith got up the short flight of steps to her porch, let alone up and down a ladder. Out of place and out of time.
And finally (aren't you glad this is almost over) the members of school board (originally played by the Buffalo Bills Barber Shop Quartet) do a good job, but the original Buffalo Bills brought not only excellent singing skills, but a range of sizes, body types, personalities etc that this Disney disaster can't touch.
Grab the original - fast forward over the Buddy Hacket dance number - and enjoy a classic.