Do you hear the people sing?

"Do you hear the people sing?..." Yeah I did, actually. I went to see Les Miserables movie with my dear friend Cheryl. And I couldn't think of a better word to describe the film. I'm speechless. I wasn't amazed nor disappointed. It's just that I think I don't have the right to comment. Because first of all, I really have no idea about its story. I haven't seen the film which starred Liam Neeson, nor the musicale which starred our very own Ms. Lea Salonga. I haven't even read the book by Victor Hugo. And I didn't even know if it was written by Victor Hugo. I just assumed that he did! So did he? Or did he not? (Upon checking with Wikipedia, he did.) Well, that's a "yehey" for me. So I didn't have any idea how the story of Les Miserable goes. At one point though, I just know some songs. But quite pathetic, still. 

"Do you hear the people sing?..." Uhmm... Does the "people" here pertains to the Filipino people? If so, yeah I did hear them sing, to the tunes of "On my Own" and "I Dreamed A Dream. Basically because these songs were popularized here in the Philippines by Ms. Lea Salonga. We Filipinos were so used to them. Some of us even memorized them! Haha!

The movie house was full. Cheryl and I were so lucky we got seats. And it was my first time to watch a movie at Shangri-La Cineplex. And so far, it's the best movie house for me yet -- the soft comfy chairs, the big movie house, the super cold airconditioning, good sounds, wide clear movie screen. I just didn't had the chance to buy a bag of popcorns. Because the movie starts in 15 minutes and the line in the snack bar was long. 

"Do you hear the people sing?..." Since not a thing or two pops in my head to describe the film, let me just comment on the actors' singing (Ahem!) and acting (Ahem! 2x).

Let me start with Mr. Wolverine himself, Hugh Jackman, a.k.a Jean Valjean. Given that he's been in a good number of movies, his acting couldn't be denied. He's a brilliant actor. What's surprising is that he can sing. He can really sing! So that's two thumbs up! A thumb for his acting, and a thumb for his singing.

photo: www.theage.com.au

Next is HRH Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo, Crown Princess of Genovia, Anne Hathaway, a.k.a Fantine. Well I'm a fan of this actress. I liked her from The Princess Diaries to Bride Wars to One Day, she's amazing. And she sings very well too. Her acting in the "I Dreamed A Dream" was fantastic. No wonder she won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, and will still be looking forward for another in the Academy Awards on the 24th of February.

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Next is Maximus Decimus Meridius, Russell Crowe, a.k.a Javert. Another great actor but on the singing part, for me I think he did quite well. Some say he's a crap singer, so what? He's not a singer in the first place. He's an actor -- a great actor who has won a huge number of acting awards. I can't think of another actor who could play the part of Javert, with all the singing and acting to it. You can feel his emotions through his eyes alone, without speaking or singing his lines. So man, just look into his eyes will you? 

photo: www.spiritualityandpractice.com

Next is Ms. Sophie Sheridan, the girl who didn't know who her real father was (at least in the movie Mamma Mia!), Amanda Seyfried, a.k.a. Cosette (not Gauzette, the name that I had in my mind during the entire film, nor Corsette as what Cheryl thought of! Haha! Corsette daw oh! Peace Cheryl!). No doubt she'll be the best actress to play the part. First is because she sings so good. She's been in a family of singers isn't she? Her 3 dads and mom and the whole gang sings (Again, in the movie Mamma Mia! Haha!). Second is that she can act. And third is that she's pretty and blonde (just like the girl in the Les Mis musicale poster). 

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Next is Ms. Samantha Barks, a.k.a Eponine. Actually, this is the first time that I saw her. Based on my research, she's into theater. She's been a part of Wicked and the 25th Anniversary of Les Miserables acting as Eponine too. Aaaah... That's why she acts and sings well also. One thing that caught my attention though was her waist. It was oddly small. Or was it just my eyes playing tricks on me? Just check out the film for you to see.

photo: www.thenewmic.com

Next are the Masters of the House, Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen, and of course my favorite villain of all time, Ms. Bellatrix Lestrange herself, Helena Bonham Carter. I thought they will be playing serious parts, but no. They made the movie somehow lighter, with all their funny antics and stuff. I even imagined Ms. Carter to be hiding a wand, somewhere beneath her colorful costumes in the movie. And while singing, she'll be casting a spell or two like, "Expeliarmus!" or the deadly "Avadakedavra!" that all of the characters will just fall dead on their faces! Haha! Well, forgive me for mixing in her Harry Potter moves with this film. I just can't help it! I so loved her, more than the great Voldemort himself.

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Then there were these characters such as Marius, and that kid whom I will call "Totoy Bibo." Haha! I can't say much about them.

So I guess this is my unofficial review of the Les Miserables movie of 2012. I will just have to do my research on this classic book of Victor Hugo.

You may wonder, why am I so into this "Do you hear the people sing?" thing? It's because, this is my favorite song in the film and in the musical. Much favorite than the tragic "I Dreamed a Dream" of Fantine. Because compared to Fantine's song of loss and tragedy, "Do You Hear the People Sing?" depicts of the voice of the people, the voice of hope, the voice of freedom -- That under the law, all men are created equal, all men should be free. And that's what I like about the song.

To end this post, let me share here one of the verses of the song:

Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of the people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start 
When tomorrow comes.

Do You Hear The People Sing?  Check out this link to hear full version of song via YouTube.