Pretty Good

Best movie ever!

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

I love the musical Jekyll & Hyde. I listen to the Broadway cast CD a lot, and can recite every word of every song. BUT, HASSELHOFF SUCKS!!! I am embarrassed for him. They really never should have given him that part. Now, I must say that I am a musician, and so maybe I am being a lottle harsh, but he can't sing, and his acting in this film was WAY under par. Everyone else was really pretty good, but Hasselhoff ruins it for me. The 4 star rating I gave this was very generous. If I was rating everyone else's performances, I would give it an 8 or 9, but Hasselhoff would get a -27. Thus, a 4 star seemed appropriate. If you ever wondered how one person can ruin a great show, watch this. After about the first 15 min, it became a comedy for me, just to laugh at how horrible he was. Casting Hasselhoff as the lead was the biggest mistake made in musical movies to date, and everyone involved in making that decision should be ashamed and embarrassed.

I'm not a great fan of "Jekyll & Hyde," but neither do I find Frank Wildhorn's cult-musical take on Robert Louis Stevenson's "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" completely unwatchable. There's a lot of problems with the work--particularly Leslie Bricusse's awkward lyrics (most egregious line: "What I choose to do is decided by me." Huh?)--but it can be entertaining in the right hands, the music theater equivalent of a fun but silly action movie. Unfortunately, the Broadway Television Network recording of the original New York production leaves us in the hands of David Hasselhoff, and both the show and the audience suffers as a result.Hasselhoff came in near the end of "Jekyll & Hyde's" Broadway run in an attempt to bolster flagging audience numbers with a little name recognition. Name recognition is about all Hasselhoff brings to the dual role of the well-intentioned doctor and his vicious alter ego. As Jekyll, his performance is distressingly wooden; as Hyde, he mugs so ridiculously that he inspires giggles rather than shudders. And then when you think it can't get any worse, he opens his mouth to sing--and his shaky, mediocre warbling sucks away all the life from what should be some of the shows most dramatic moments (particularly the climax, a neat little solo/duet between the title characters).It's unfortunate that Hasselhoff's presence irreparably damages "Jekyll and Hyde," because the rest of the cast is actually fairly decent. Andrea Rivette (as Jekyll's high-society fiancée) and Coleen Sexton (as a dance-hall girl who becomes a victim of Hyde's lust) are a delight to watch and hear in the female leads; their duet "In His Eyes" is the most dramatically effective moment in the production. Barrie Ingham and George Merritt also do nice work in roles they already immortalized on the cast recording. The rest of the cast makes do with what they can, but "Jekyll and Hyde" needs a strong lead in order to really work, and Hasselhoff ruins the musical's hope of succeeding on any level except an unintentional comedy.

This appalling mess represents the final bullet in the head the modern musical...the lethal "sung thru" concept started by Lloyd-Weber... aided and abetted by the Les Miz guys ...with the fatal shot fired by Wildhorn....respectable plots mauled by phoney emotion...bogus "now feel this" orchestrations.....lyrics that cannot sit on the music in any way that reflects intelligent speech.....or music that is warped into a tuneless series of notes just to serve the amateurish and predictable lyrics. I know these theatre atrocities are astonishingly popular..and incredibly profitable.....but so is K-Mart. You want "sung-thru"...with giant themes...soaring emotions...brilliantly-crafted lyrics...real melody...and real class?...look to the grown-ups: Loesser's MOST HAPPY FELLA...Flaherty and Ahrens' RAGTIME...and of course...the very show this JEKYLL AND HYDE rips off....Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD...OK...rant over...write me if you want to argue.

Jekyll & Hyde is probably one of the most amazing musical ever made. Great show based on a classic tale. Extraordinary songs, especially "This Is The Moment" and "Someone Like You". When I found out this musical was actually made for DVD, I rushed out to get a copy. When I saw David Hasselhoff was cast as Jekyll & Hyde, I had my doubts. A Baywatch lifeguard to a Broadway Musical Star??? Anyhow, I set aside my doubts and watch the show, I was soooo disappointed by Hasselhoff's performance in "This Is The Moment". He completely ruin the song by over-act in the scene. He really wasn't suit for a Broadway Star. He doesn't have the depth and the talent to be one. I really want to kick him after "This Is The Moment".Despite the horrendous performance by Hasselhoff, the supporting cast was wonderful. Especially Coleen Sexton, who played the role of Lucy Harris. She was breathtaking. So good beyond words can describe.Andrea Rivette who portrayed the Emma Carew was also wonderful.Go out and get a copy. The show is worthy to watch. Just don't have too much hope for Hasselhoff. Set aside his lack of Broadway talent and concentrate on the supporting casts, then you will love the show.