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Chicago Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 5.0
    82

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Universal acclaim
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 100

    out of 100

    USA Today Mike Clark

    More than any other example in recent memory, Chicago shows how much the element of surprise is missing from today's movies.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Manohla Dargis

    It's Zeta-Jones who keeps you watching from start to finish -- You'd have to go back to Joan Crawford in her hungry prime, in films like "Rain" and "The Women," to find another female film star who grabs hold of the screen with such ferocity.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

    By the end, though, the production is engulfed by barely controlled frenzy -- all decor and no air, music as lo-cal ear candy, scenes as merchandise to be sold, people as two-dimensional props.

  • 80

    out of 100

    Variety David Rooney

    First-time feature director Rob Marshall and Oscar-winning "Gods and Monsters" screenwriter Bill Condon have spun the dark tale of two murdering floozies into a widely palatable entertainment, but the long-gestating film comes up short in rhythm and personality.

    Read Full Review

  • 88

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    The movie is a dazzling song and dance extravaganza, with just enough words to support the music and allow everyone to catch their breath between songs.

    Read Full Review

  • 90

    out of 100

    The New York Times A.O. Scott

    Who would have expected Ms. Zellweger --- and Miramax -- to come through in a musical? And it's one of the few Christmas entertainments to run under two hours. Who couldn't love that?

    Read Full Review

  • 91

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

    Freshly transplanted from the stage, is a thrilling ode to the intertwined glories of sex, showmanship, and lying: what the film calls ''the old razzle-dazzle.''

    Read Full Review

  • See all Chicago reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 14+

Oscar-winning satire all about the razzle-dazzle.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this Academy Award winner has some strong language and sexual references and situations, briefly explicit. A possible pregnancy by a lover is an element of the plot. All characters are amoral, even sleazy in this satire. Lots and lots of smoking. The "merry murderesses" discuss their killings without remorse. The one innocent character is hanged, shown in shadow.

  • Families can talk about the rocky relationship between Velma and Roxy. Why do they agree to work together in the end? They can also discuss the movie's portrayal of the press as marionettes controlled by the slimy lawyer. Do you think the press are savvier today or not? Are there still people today that would do anything for fame and recognition?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Glorifies the "merry murderesses," but in a very clever, satirical way -- too clever for young audiences to grasp. Velma and Roxy are obsessed with fame and kill without remorse. Billy is the epitome of a slimy lawyer out for himself. The press are easily misled. However, the cast is racially diverse and Queen Latifah plays a strong female character.

What to watch for
  • violence false3

    Violence: One song is about murders commited that landed women in the slammer. One woman says she killed her husband simply because he popped his gum too loudly. An innocent woman is hanged, shown in shadow.

  • sex false5

    Sex: Roxy claims she was being raped when she shot her lover, then faked a pregnancy. We see her scantily clad in bed. Dancers wear very little for most musical numbers.

  • language false3

    Language: Strong language.

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Not an issue

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Drinking and a lot of smoking.

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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