Disclaimer : I have never seen the Broadway version of Les Mis before, I have heard some of the songs.
If you like long large scale sweeping movies, then Les Miserables is for you. It stars Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Russel Crowe as Javert, and Anne Hathaway as Fantine.
Les Mis is a musical film adaptation of the Broadway hit show that ran for years. It starts when Jean Valjean is released from prison. Eventually, him, Javert ( the cop chasing him) and others all interact at a revolution in France.
Les Miserables is a large scale sweeping musical. It takes place over decades and is over 2 and 1/2 hours long. The good part is that it is very good. The story still holds up, and the multiple story lines are never too hard to follow while still following the main story of Valjean and Javert. The movie part of Les Miserables is very well done. The musical part is the new part. The director chose to have live singing instead of studio record then lip-synch. I think that decision was a good one. The actors can show emotion while singing instead of doing it at the studio. I was pleased with the singing. Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe both are great as Valjean and Javert. Crowe, while not having a Broadway voice, has a different kind and sounds good. The only slightly distracting part is the constant close ups. While they do help to show emotion, sometimes there are sights around the characters that should be seen. Overall, Les Miserables is a good but long movie with good singing and music.
Les Miserables is rated PG-13 for suggestive and sexual material, violence and thematic elements. I give Les Miserables a weeping B+.
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