Newsies: 20th Anniversary [Blu-ray] [1992] [US Import]

An fantastic film with a terrific performance from Christian Bale in his early years (also known for American Psycho). The film is ideal for the whole family and is filled with catchy songs. All in all it is a classic disney film which is worth watching over and over. This is a five star film.

What can I say; Newsies is simply my favourite film. I have always like Christian Bale, and saw an advert for The News Boys as it is known in England at the front of another film, I did not realize at the time that this film was in fact, a musical along the lines of the good old fashioned Hollywood musicals ala Gene Kelly. This film simply lifts your spirits. The cast is charismatic and Bale is a revelation. He could, with a little work make another career on the musical stage if films ever pall for him. Robert Duvall hams it wonderfully, and the fact that Bill Pullman prior to becoming a household name, can sing is another great thing about this film. I'm sure even kids would love and grannies will remember the great MGM musicals of the past. I found out that this film was originally released at the same time as Robin Hood Prince of Thieves and obviously suffered by lack of theatre space but what a little gem it is when I was lucky enough to find it.
Watch it and have a great time. It's a fantastic family film.

The first time I watched this movie, I immediately fell in love with it. Having been a long time fan of the work of Alan Menken's music, I expected great things from this musical. I wasn't disappointed. The music has the energy that is so reminiscent of Menken's earlier works with Disney ('Little Mermaid', 'Beauty and the Beast' and 'Aladdin'). While Jack Feldman is no Howard Ashman when it comes to lyrics, he does manage to hold his own. The stand out song for me was 'Seize the Day'. The only two songs that in my mind slow the musical down are the ones performed by Ann-Margret.

With live action, it is sometimes hard to choreograph the dance sequences to match the energetic music. Yet Kenny Ortega and Peggy Holmes manage to do just that. The dance routines are a visual feast, very infectious. They manage to capture the right spirit whether there is just one person doing the dance (as in 'Santa Fe') or if there is a huge group ('Seize the Day').

This movie made me notice Christian Bale as an actor for the first time. I found his performance in this film to be winning and earnest. I then saw him in 'Swing Kids' (another movie I would recommend) and it cemented in my mind that someday he would become a very recognised and accomplished actor.

David Moscow (the boy in 'Big') also delivers a fine performance. This is a movie about the boys and it really needed some strong and believable performances from them. I would have a hard time coming up with two other actors who could have given better performances than Christian Bale and David Moscow.

Outside of Bill Pullman, the adult actors were a bit of a letdown. Both Robert Duvall's character and Ann-Margret's were little more than caricatures. Bill Pullman, a seriously under-rated actor, makes a good effort with the material he's given to work with. Unfortunately, the script only allows him to be slightly less wooden than that of an oak dining table.

With most musicals, the plot is little more than a vehicle to segue between songs and the songs themselves tend to slow the story line. With Newsies, the plot is an integral part of the movie and the songs manage to carry the plot forward. This is a talent that Alan Menken has proven he has time and time again when writing his songs.

In conclusion, if you're a fan of musicals, I would highly recommend viewing this one. It does get a bit cheesy and corny at times, but then this is a Disney movie afterall. You have to expect some food adjectives when watching their movies.