The reviews are in for "Burlesque," starring Cher and Christina Aguilera, and it provides a twist from our standard Friday book-to-movie adaptation posts. A glossy, picture-rich book accompanies the movie -- and if early reviews are any guide, it might wind up in the remainder bin rather quickly. Then again, star power of the two leading ladies could generate some box office power. Here are exceprts from some reviews:
Tribune newspapers -- Writer-director Steven Antin may have a heart as big as Iowa and California put together but he's not much of a filmmaker. The perpetually unsteady camerawork (a choice, but a bad one), the suffocating claustrophobia induced by the preponderance of "Chicago"-inspired club interiors, the high-fructose corn syrup disguised as dialogue: It's a lot to overcome, which is where a movie musical's musical numbers usually come in.
San Francisco Chronicle -- "Burlesque" is irresistible from its first minutes, and over time it creates a whole atmosphere, not only onscreen but within the audience. It's big, perfectly cast and entertaining in every way, but more than that it feels like a generous public event. See it with other people. See it with a crowd.
N.Y. Times -- Given that she spends much of the movie onstage, singing and dancing in what is essentially a succession of music videos linked with backstage filler, Ms. Aguilera doesn't have much time to embarrass herself. She's a serviceable screen presence who has a voice and an occasional song (Etta James's "Tough Lover") big enough to keep her from sliding off screen.