The supporting cast is solid. John C. Reilly plays the slouch husband we all expect him to, and he plays it well, with one number that is sad and entertaining. Christine Baranski wonderfully portrays the all-important, sensationalist news reporter. I’m not sure why the Academy chose to honor Queen Latifah with a nomination for Best Supporting Actress; only that she is lifted into the stratosphere by her co-stars, and she doesn’t let everyone down. She sings one song pretty well, headlining a ‘sensuous’ dance number about “Mama.” Writing sensuous in the same sentence with the Queen is frightening.

The music. Come on. Incomparable! The book and score were amazing in 1976 (Book – Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, Score – John Kander and Fred Ebb), and they have grown finer with age. Each performer in the film takes their opportunity and belts a grand slam. Standouts include And All That Jazz, an exhilarating opening number headlined by Velma; Cell Block Tango, a sexy, body-melting performance by the women of the prison; We Both Reached For The Gun, an hilarious puppetry piece with Billy and Roxie in the courts; and I Can’t Do It Alone, Velma’s chance to really show off her dance moves.

Fantastic film! It stands up to repeat viewings and is well worth owning on DVD. If you bought the original DVD release, there’s no need to upgrade unless you’re a lover of extra features, or want to know more about Chicago and those involved in the film and the play over the years.

Special Features:

A plethora of extras await the die-hard fan; hours worth of extra material dissecting the music, the dances, and the performances. Extras to pay close attention to are the pieces on Rob Marshall, the Production/Costume Designers, and the two documentaries on the making of the film. There are also special treats for fans of Chita Rivera and Liza Minnelli, two women who have masterfully portrayed respective characters in Chicago throughout its run on Broadway. For even more fun, check out the extended performances and rehearsal videos for the musical numbers.

Movie Grade: A-
DVD Features Grade: A-
Overall Grade: A-