Dreamgirls: 2-Disc Showstopper Edition

Rating PG-13 Formats DVD Genre drama Starring Statting Jamie Foxx, Beyonce Knowles, Eddie Murphy, Danny Glover and Jennifer Hudson Directed by Bill Condon Publisher Universal Home Entertainment External Links Official Dreamgirls Website

Even before its theatrical release on Christmas day of last year, Dreamgirls was very much surrounded by a boatload of media hype; including early claims for many high film awards. To be honest, from looking at all of the coverage from "Entertainment Tonight", E! and MTV, the film seemed to be nothing more than an glossed extended music video that serves as nothing more than a mechanism used to cram Beyonce Knowles down our throats.. On the other hand, I have been educated well enough to know not to judge any form of media art, be it music, film or video games, based on brief samplings and previews. To find the real answers, one must walk through the fire.

Based on the 1981 musical of the same name, Dreamgirls is a period piece set in the 60s and 70s that follows the lives of three women-Effie White (Jennifer Hudson), Deena Jones (Beyonce Knowles) and Lorrell Robinson (Anika Noni Rose))- who are members of an R&B singing group known as The Dreamettes. After performing only in talent shows, the girls get their big break thanks to Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx), a record producer and manager who sets them up as backup singers to popular soul singer James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). Looking to achieve success at a more commercial level, Taylor gives the girls their own act and that desired success takes off. However, along with all of the glitz and glamour comes the drama and conflict as Effie is knocked back from her spot as lead singer for the more marketable but less talented Deena.

I am an avid fan of violent horror films, intense heavy music and adventurous video games. And you know what? I loved Dreamgirls! I know that it is categorized as a musical but with the songs well spaced out and the spectacular cinematography and emphasis on color, this is considered as an outstanding principle exercise in filmmaking. Also, if you feel that this is a "chick flick" that focuses entirely on a female singing group, think again. This is an allusion of Motown's elevation, all set towards the racially charged Civil Rights era. Thus, not only do we get a lot of social historical background but we also get some memorable performances and some great tunes!

It's very rare when a first-time actor or actress captivates the audience and basically controls the film. To say that Jennifer Hudson's performance is such a performance is an understatement. Effie White is a character of multiple dimensions and Hudson displays each of these dimensions with conviction and style, not to mention that her vocal styling (a cross between Aretha Franklin and Etta James) is something of awe and wonder. The other standout performance belongs to Mr. Eddie Murphy. If anything is going to get this guy back into a more serious light then this is it. Eddie gives us a performance that channels the energies of James Brown, Otis Redding and Marvin Gaye, with his own personal dash of course. Every time he hits the stage as James "Thunder" Early, he presents a ferocity and enthusiasm that makes us all aware that he's still got it and we are getting closer to the Eddie we all once knew and loved (now, if only he would go do another stand-up tour). Jamie Foxx gets the bronze medal as the once compassionate and driven record producer who becomes cold and callus. Everyone, from Danny Glover to Anika Noni Rose to Beyonce, delivers. Its not often when the entire cast hits it right on the mark!

The only issue I have with the film that keeps it from being a perfect film is the awkward pacing. The movie stretches a timeline of over 13 years. However, the time transitions come off like everything is happening so sudden and so fast and we are unable to soak in the previous scenes. Nonetheless, this flaw may only exist in the eyes of some viewers and it only takes a small amount of the viewing experience away.

In this 2-disc "Showstopper" edition, the film is given the DVD treatment that any great film should get. The extras on disc one are all about the great music as we get extended takes on all of the songs in the film. The second disc includes "Building The Dream", a 2-hour making of feature that follows the film from its Broadway roots to principle shooting to its "out of nowhere" success at the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards. There are also several other segments that focus even deeper on certain production aspects (i.e. costumes, lighting) along with previsualization sequences, audition footage, screen tests and an image gallery. With its in-depth, ground up approach, I though that "Building The Dream" was all that was necessary, since most of the other stuff is already covered within it. But hey, you still cannot go wrong here!

Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm pleased to announce that all of the hype behind Dreamgirls is for real. The production value is top notch, the performances are outstanding and the songs are catchy enough to leave an impression in your head that will last for weeks! This is definitely one of the best DVDs of 2007!