just watch it!

Boring, over-political, tech fuzed mess

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

None of the three 'That's Entertainment' films are without flaws, but they all live up to their name and achieve their main goals to entertain and fascinate.The best of the three is the first, not only being first-class entertainment but also being nostalgically affectionate and very moving (especially Liza Minnelli talking about her mother Judy Garland). Part 2 is a disappointment, due to the badly written hosting segments, a too sprawling structure, those unnecessary travelogue segments and a couple of scenes too short and hastily cut, but has a lot of interest points and a lot of treasures (including the best title sequence of the three films).Part 3 is not as good as Part 1, though there are a couple of things it actually does better, but it is better than Part 2. There is not a huge amount wrong actually, the 'Brigadoon' dance sequence does look phoney which jars with the lavishness of the rest of the film and while the hosting is charming, subtly witty and affecting it was sad to see Gene Kelly in one of his last appearances on film looking so frail and ill, lacking his usual exuberance (before looking it up, and finding that it happened after the film's release, did think that it was due to having a stroke). While it was interesting seeing so much footage that didn't make it into the films they were meant to be part of, there could have been more of the classic moments.Where it improves over Part 1 is that it has the best hosting segments of the three, both in the writing and pacing. Here they were the most informative, thought-provoking and said the most about the commitment and difficulties behind the scenes of making these scenes and films possible and personalities behind the stars which were glossed over in comparison in the previous two films. Also it is the film with the best editing. A vast majority of the scenes are used to their full potential instead of being too short and it is not as hasty or jumpy. It also returns to the more logical, ordered and thematic kind of structure the first film had, a welcome return indeed.Like the first two films, a delightful couple of hours, a nostalgic trip down memory lane it is affectionate, hugely entertaining and also moving and makes one want to watch or re-watch the films included. What immediately captivated was seeing the who's who of musical/dance/singing talent being featured. The production values are lavish and just beautiful to look at, the music dazzles and is full of emotions and the choreography is often enough to make the jaw drop. Scenes are mostly great, with far fewer missteps than with Part 2 (though there are only a few there), the only notable one is the scene from 'Brigadoon'.Judy Garland's scenes (especially the 'Annie Get Your Gun' and 'Easter Parade' scenes, though her rapport with Mickey Rooney is charming too) are clear standouts, as are Eleanor Powell, Debbie Reynolds, "Can't Help Loving Dat Man". Debbie Reynolds and Ann Miller at this point show all the shining qualities that made them such stars, it was nice to see Mickey Rooney too but he doesn't look at his best either if not as sad as Kelly.In conclusion, a real treat. The first 'That's Entertainment' is the best of the three, but this is almost as good and even makes improvements in a couple of areas. 8/10 Bethany Cox

The ribbon is tied on the large cake celebrating MGM's upcoming 70th Anniversary when this came out. It is amazing that it has been 20 years since the fourth installment in MGM's salute to their glorious past came out and all but a few of these great stars are now gone. Gene Kelly is the groom on the wedding cake, having appeared in all four films, and looking dashing as the veteran older statesman of the golden years of the MGM musical. Mickey Rooney is like the wacky uncle of the family, filled with great stories, yet sometimes sentimental and sad. Toss in the most glorious group of "Auntie Mame" types you could have in your old movie family: June Allyson, Ann Miller, Lena Horne and Debbie Reynolds, with "little sister" Liza Minnelli representing the younger line of Hollywood royalty.The glorious aspect of "That's Entertainment III" is the inclusion of some extremely obscure clips, as well as out-takes of musical numbers which didn't make it into the final print. Audiences who have clamored to see some of Judy Garland's cut numbers from "Easter Parade" and "The Harvey Girls", as well as her uncompleted version of "Annie Get Your Gun!" need look no further. They are all there, and for me, the delight was "March of the Doagies", a big number from "The Harvey Girls" that seems a shame to have lost. "How long is too long?", Angela Lansbury once asked audiences after seeing a clip cut out of "The Wizard of Oz", so you wonder what made the editors make that decision to snip out such a huge moment that a lot of people worked hard to get on-screen, only to have it disappear from view.Fun-filled and nostalgic, this came out just as Turner Classic Movies was taking off, and home video audiences clamored for more of old Hollywood. At this time, I was working at a huge video store in Los Angeles where classic movies were the specialty, and our customers began asking for "More! More! More!". It was a great feeling to share the new releases coming out (particularly from Turner Home Entertainment) with them and hearing their usually satisfied responses upon their return. To mention the name of one of the title songs from one of the movies utilized, this was really one terrific "Hollywood Party".

One of the most attractive features of the three TE movies is that their very format, clips isolated by top-and-tail commentary, make it that much easier for buffs to select their particular favorites, ignore the others and burn a brand-new movie for their own delectation. This could then be supplemented with clips of Fred and Ginger at RKO, Fred with anyone from anywhere, Sinatra, Garland and/or individual faves. But we're here to talk about TE3 and whether or not it works and/or if and/or why/why not/how it measures up to the other two. First off, it DOES work because it adds to the mix by throwing in outtakes, rehearsals etc the highlight of which is, no contest, Fred's brilliant 'Dancin' Man sequence from Belle Of New York in which he soft shoes to a just-right Johnny Mercer lyric. This isn't to say the rest is chopped liver but there is only one Fred. If some of the other outfits, Fox, Paramount, Warners, RKO, Columbia for openers, would offer something similar - a mixture of genres rather than just musicals - then all vintage movie buffs could die happy.

As others have commented, the strength of TE3 is the special, never-before-seen footage, which is very, very interesting. However, the standard MGM excerpts are often less than remarkable, and occasionally downright boring. It makes sense: The original TE used much of the very best numbers available. TE2 used what didn't fit into the original. By the time they got to TE3, they had to settle for some "also-rans." BARELY A SPOILER ***Fred Astaire had a nice way with a song, but when you see an entire number with him singing and *not* dancing, that's a sign that the pickings were slim.*** END OF "SPOILER" Still, there's enough good stuff in here for a very enjoyable viewing. And since you're not watching it in the theater, you can fast-forward to the next number if you're feeling a bit bored.By the way, if you're a "That's Entertainment" fan, you *must* check out "That's Dancin'," which rises to the standard of the original TE.