“The Greatest Showman” soars on the power of its soundtrack, performances

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Skylar Beckford, Reporter

A musical movie loosely-based on the ambitions and struggles of P.T. Barnum, “The Greatest Showman” was released in 2018. For years, fans have eaten it up and continue to support the legacy. But, what exactly makes it so lovable?

When you break down the movie and look into the actual plot, it’s definitely lacking. However, being a musical, an immaculate plot isn’t necessarily a requirement. Let’s be honest: fans love this movie because of the cheesy relationships between the characters and the soundtrack. When you take away the movie aspect and strip it down to its purest form, it is simply a musical. And, to be quite frank, it might have one of the best collection of songs I have heard in a long time. Songs like “A Million Dreams” and “Never Enough” from the movie are astonishingly powerful and brought me to tears in the first viewing. However, there is a perfect balance, with more fun songs like “Come Alive” and “The Other Side” to bring a brighter side to the movie.

Hugh Jackman, playing as P.T. Barnum, does a wonderful job at his role. He does so well, I have to remind myself through the movie that he is only an actor. Another notable performance is from Keala Settle, who plays “bearded lady” Lettie Lutz. Not only is she an amazing actress, she is one of the best vocalists in the entire movie. Her powerhouse voice is the perfect balance with the other cast members, and I can’t imagine anyone else playing the part as well as she did.

At the end of the day, it really is enjoyable for anyone. If you’re a music lover or someone who’s just looking for a fun movie to watch, “The Greatest Showman” would be a great fit for you. Out of 5 stars, I’d give it a 3.5.