Dreamgirls

I loved Dreamgirls when I saw it on stage all 3 times (the Broadway touring company, a bus & truck reduction of the Broadway version, and the Paper Mill Playhouse re-imagining). And while I liked the film, I always thought it was just a tad too severely edited. It seemed a bit choppy, like there were pieces missing. Now at last the original director has released a "Directors Extended Edition," and the movie finally feels complete. The cast is phenomenal, the production values are top notch, and the new songs are not bad at all. I heartily recommend this version to fans of the film (and show). However, one minor note: it is a little light on extras. There are 4 Jennifer Hudson screen tests or auditions, and that is it. There are rumors of "2½ hours of extras," but that is not the case. There are 2 discs: one is the DVD and the other is the Blu-Ray. They are almost identical, except the DVD version only has 3 Jennifer Hudson screen tests, and the Blu-Ray has noticeably higher definition in picture quality. The packaging includes a small booklet with lyrics of most of the songs and full-color photos of the songs being performed. Notice to graphic designer: the film credits on the bottom half of the back cover are absolutely illegible due to dark on dark ink colors. Somebody should have noticed that. But I am being picky. The movie itself is just wonderful. And when it was over, I had to fight the urge to watch it all over again immediately.

No one else has listed the special features, so I thought I'd list them here.**Note -- When you go to the "Dreamgirls 2-disc Showstopper Edition" page, there's a note that says, "There is a newer version of this item: Dreamgirls [Blu-Ray]." This is not true; the "newer version" has the bare bones special features that the original DVD 1-disc version has and does not include the "Showstopper Edition" bonus features.Special Features included on this Blu-Ray 1-disc set:12 Extended Musical Numbers - Including a Jennifer Hudson Performance Not Seen in Theaters HDMusic Video "Listen" by Beyonce KnowlesDreamgirls Soundtrack PromoSo, if you want the 115 minute documentary and other special features, you'll need to order the 2-disc "Showstopper Edition."

This newest edition of Dreamgirls takes an already amazing movie to new heights. First of all, Dreamgirls is one of the finest adaptations of a Broadway musical since South Pacific. Most important, the sound quality of this disc reaches new levels of quality -- especially if heard in Dolby Atmos. The musical numbers shine. Jennifer Hudson's Oscar-winning performance is but one highlight. Eddie Murphy is a revelation as the James Brown-style character. Beyonce is superb as a singer (as you might expect) but as an actor as well. I can't wait to watch this one again.

I have been waiting to see Dreamgirls for quite some time, and finally had a couple of hours to rest and do nothing, so I ordered this up on instant viewing because I wanted to see Jennifer Hudson in her role. I was absolutely not disappointed because she absolutely smashed it. I don't know why she was nominated for Supporting Actress when the center of the story really revolves around her, but I think that she would have won whatever she was nominated for; she won everything as Supporting Actress for which she was nominated. Everyone's performance was stellar, but Jennifer Hudson outshined them all. What a fantastic story. I hadn't read up on it at all ahead of time. I only knew that Jennifer Holliday played the role first, and I saw her singing And I am Telling You, and fell in love with the song immediately. As I watched, I could see that this was the thinly veiled story of Motown records, DIana Ross and the Supremes, with a little of the Jackson 5 thrown in for good measure. I didn't even recognize Jamie Foxx in his role, he played it so well as did Beyonce Knowles. But the Academy Award, as far as I'm concerned, goes fully to Jennifer Hudson for such a superior performance. Watch this film! You will not be disappointed.

I purchased this movie recently, and it was wonderful! Like it... I LOVED IT!! I've viewed it 2 times, and it's becoming a firm favourite of mine! The music has a lot of Soulful tunes, and the 3 main women look beautiful in their various dresses! They remind me of Diana Ross & The Supremes, who were huge and had an excellent career for Tamla Motown Records! Ladies (plus gents) if you want a wonderful movie to watch on a lazy day, Dreamgirls is a recommended choice - marvellous!

I have watched Dreamgirls many, many times and I LOVE it, but I would advise those who aren't really fans of musicals to steer clear. There is a LOT of singing, so much so that the first time I watched it I began to get a bit sick of it. Leaving the room to go to the toilet and coming back to see the same character singing is sometimes a bit much for anyone.But other than that, the acting is great (particularly Eddie Murphy) and Jennifer Hudson's voice - as many have said before me - just takes your breath away. The film manages to deal with issues of race, body image, drugs, affairs, relationships, oh and of course the music industry, all set against the back-drop of America in the '60s. Well worth the watch.

If you watch this for the music alone, you'll love it even if the story's a little simplified. Superb original songs which to my mind are a significant enhancement on the Motown source material. The music has an extraordinarily complex articulation which despite this, does not overshadow its soul.I hate musicals but I was enthralled by this one primarily for the music.I would prefer to give it 3.5 stars to be honest because I feel the whole piece lacks a certain depth.Extremely entertaining

I saw this film when it was originally screened and loved it. Having seen the stage show recently, I just had to see this again.

I grew up listening to Motown and the music on this disc represents that era fantastically. The film is came from isgreat too. If you like thks type of music you will not be disappointed. Some of the lyrics are quite moving. I have been in tears more than once. It has become a firm favourite.

Brilliant film.

Brilliant film

Great film love music

I enjoyed watching this DVD. It arrived on time for the Christmas break.

entertaining

Fantastic film , tissues at the ready . Xx

Perfect and prompt delivery

Amazing film would recommend it to anyone who loves music and a good story. Copy plays great

One of watch again and again - particularly as the show is now on in London (and my niece Lily Frazer plays the 4th Dreamgirl and sometimes also the Beyonce part) GO LILY!

I love this film. J Hud is my hero. Love the soundtrack. 👍❤