Les Miserables (2012)Movie Reviews

  • Must Go! Based on 37,640 reviews
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  • Must Go!
    Written December 26, 2012

    Take tissues

    by ScoobyD

    Awesome job. Seen it on stage a few times, and this film does it justice....and then some. Who knew that Anne Hathaway had THAT in her? Wow. When Russell Crowe is your weakest link, you've got a heckavu movie on your hands! Excellent cinematography, it's like the stage version coming to life before your very eyes. And I LOVE that they worked Colm Wilkenson into it. He IS Les Mis, so it's very cool that they tipped their hat to him like that. I was so afraid that it wouldn't live up to my very high expectations. It did. Tough job for Jackman to hit "Bring Him Home", but he was in a no win situation with that if you're holding him to Colm Wilkenson's standard. "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" and "I Dreamed a Dream" were both fantastic (get the tissues ready for those, btw). I loved Lincoln and was convinced that nothing could beat that, but I stand corrected. Tough Oscar year.

    • 273 out of 351 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written December 26, 2012

    invest in Kleenex

    by momincolorado

    Ok, so I'm pretty familiar with the music and general story line of Les Miz. That still did not prepare me for how great and epic (hate that word, but it fits) this movie is. For the record, yes, there are actors who sing in this movie, and not really many singers who act, but who cares? This wasn't the opera, it was a movie, and the acting was AMAZING. It moved me, which I say so infrequently about movies these days. I'm even going to go back to see it next week, and will drag along the ball-and-chain, who I daresay, may love it too. Anyway, I'm off to buy the soundtrack, so good night, and go see this movie!

    • 128 out of 195 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written December 25, 2012

    Great show!

    by movielover1111

    The acting in this movie is fantastic--I wasn't sure I would like characters singing throughout, but in fact it was very powerful and somehow even seemed natural. The emotional range of the actors--particularly in the close-ups--is amazing and their voices stunning in scene after scene. Definitely worth seeing even if you are not much a fan of musicals.

    • 103 out of 165 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written December 25, 2012

    Bring a Box Of Kleenex

    by

    This isn't a clone of the stage musical, but I thought it worked rather well. The story line more closely resembles the novel than the stage version did. There are new songs that meshed well, and remembered songs have had lyrics modified or eliminated. "Little People" was cut to one verse, moved to the barricade scene, and cut off with violence, which was a bit of a shame.

    Speaking of little people, little Cosette was a little scene-stealer and cute as a button.

    I expected the closing scene with Jean, Cosette, and Marius to be a tear-jerker just like the stage version, and I was not disappointed. The finale was spectacular.

    Biggest surprise of the movie: Russell Crowe can actually sing. His range is limited, and it showed in spots, but he was still wildly effective as Javert and his suicide scene was a CGI masterpiece.

    Will see again.?

    • 102 out of 164 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written December 26, 2012

    Absolutely Fantastic

    by

    I am 64 years young and Les Miz swept me off my feet/seat! Never have I spent a shorter 2 1/2 hours and on the edge of my seat! The only other musical I have enjoyed was West Side Story and it's no comparison to LM... All the characters were believable and the story line so very true to the human tragedy life really is for most, then as now... I must admit, I'm a guy and I wept. By far, THE BEST movie I have ever seen!

    • 103 out of 170 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written December 26, 2012

    Powerful

    by

    I teared up several times. This was an extremely powerful and emotional film. Incredible. The actors were all phenomenal, acting as well as singing.
    Now to the credit of the director and everyone behind the scenes, they did amazing. This is absolutely the best transition from play to film that's been done. The singing live on set was genius, the crafting of the sets and camera work was flawless. This thing is going to take some academy awards home this year sure. Not all of them, but they will certainly not leave empty handed. Well done!

    • 83 out of 144 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written December 26, 2012

    Wow!

    by kraigbrown87

    Saw this today after having seen the Broadway version. Expectations were not high, but I was completely blown away by the the whole production. Just freaking amazing. I took my 23 and 22 year old sons and my 16 year old daughter and everyone of us got drawn into the story- even after we have seen the story so many times. I was emotional, and I am NOT an emotional person. I can only say that the entire cast and supporting production teams have created a movie that will be around for generations, just like the story, it will not get old. I am going again, taking my wife- and can't wait!

    • 82 out of 145 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written December 27, 2012

    Magnificent...Unique & Incomparable! A True Masterpiece of Cinema!

    by Alon Patterson

    Been there done that? Not a chance! This film is like a dream and so beautiful there simply aren't adequate words to describe the experience. Think you've seen a great movie musical or two in your lifetime? You haven't seen the best one made in two generations, perhaps ever, if you've missed this one...period. To exhibit this masterpiece in the same venue where a movie like ?End of Watch? is also playing is like mixing oil and water, bordering on hilarious. That film, friends, is the truly Miserable one in the house. This film is a must see experience like none other. There's nothing more worthwhile that's been done in film this year.

    • 64 out of 109 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written December 27, 2012

    "Do you hear the people sing?" Yes!!!

    by the-phanatic

    To give this film a grade less than an A would be an injustice. What a magificent job by cast crew and director. An amazing screen adaptation of a wonderful Broadway, London, etc musical. This is sheer power, drama, heartache. and an emotional roller coaster throughtout the entire film. My daughter and I have seen the play over 20 times and we are thrilled at Tom Hooper's masterpiece he has created on screen. It's the best adaptation I have seen since West Side Story. If you love the play you'll be thrilled by the movie. As far as Russell Crowe is concerned...he tries..and he's adequate. Gavoroche's scene on the barricades is gut wretching (I think the tragedy in Conn brings on even stronger emotions to this scene which is not downplayed in the film) so be forewarned. Excellent film with a stellar cast!

    • 72 out of 126 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written December 26, 2012

    Finally a cinema version of a Broadway Musical that should be Oscar worthy.

    by dpon54

    Don't get me wrong, I love movie musicals, but sometimes the intent to make a remake of a Broadway classic has lead to incredible blunders on the part of the movie industry. Take NOT using the lovely voice of Audrey Hepburn for My Fair Lady as a case in point. It was OK to use Rex Harrison's gritty dialogue/singing, but lets make Audrey sound like an opera star.

    Enter Tom Hooper, 2012 and Les Miserables. Not only does Mr. Hooper choose to use all of the casts voices, but he has them sing the actual songs while shooting rather than lip synching to a sound track recorded earlier. And then to add just a little more realism, he uses close ups of the actors, and the human condition of the time to show, a gritty realism that Broadway could not.

    The cinematography, sets and performances were all that I would expect from the director of The Kings Speech. And as fan of the live musical of Les Miserables, I found little to complain about the film version.

    • 66 out of 116 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written December 26, 2012

    Best Movie 2012

    by

    It was 2.5 hours and bloody well worth it. It seemed so fast and although not all the actors were "fantastic" some put their heart and soul into it. Hugh and Anne were amazing, and I am sure we all had our doubts. Russel Crowe was probably not the best choice, as was Amanda Seyfried. Eddie as Marius did nothing for me as well BUT some of the minor characters stole the show. Young Cosette, Enjolras, and Gavroche--- that little boy was amazing.

    All in all hands down best movie of 2012. It was poignant and emotional. Raw and beautiful. It will have you in tears and it will make you want to see it again and again. If you were a fan of Les Miz before or new, this movie did justice and served extra. I can't wait to see it again!

    • 78 out of 140 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written December 26, 2012

    Must Go

    by yardbabe

    It seems a lot of people want to be critics. And the critics are just performing for us. and to keep their jobs. All that said - this movie kept a sold out crowd spellbound and teary eyed. No, things were not perfect but it was awesome to see the actors up close and not just on stage. Their range of emotions during a musical were excellent!
    Watch it - it is quality movie-making.

    • 80 out of 146 found this review helpful.
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  • I'm In
    Written December 25, 2012

    LeMiserables

    by ChristyT

    Three of my daughters and friends went to the midnight showing last night. The one word they all kept repeating was AMAZING! They can't wait to go back with the rest of us!
    One daughter who did not want to go because she was so tired, was afraid she would fall asleep. She said she never blinked, it was AMAZING!

    • 78 out of 144 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written December 27, 2012

    They should have cast singers rather than stars ... or else skipped the singing.

    by FL-mermaid

    Les Miserables depicted a number of characters going from young to old. ... we aged right along with them. They can't kill the compelling story, but we were disappointed that actors' star power seemed to have trumped singing ability when they cast this version. If they want stars, go the 1998-movie route (starring Liam Neeson) and skip the singing! ... Maybe seeing it on Broadway spoiled me. There was Colm Wilkinson (who brought Valjean from the London musical to Broadway in '87) right on hand to do the singing role proud, but he was relegated to just playing the priest. Oh well.

    • 83 out of 155 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written December 28, 2012

    Thesbians must go!

    by Nacho Baggo

    The material is as rich as any movie ever made. The misery and sorrow have built the emotions to unbarable levels for over 20 years. Very inspiring.
    However, the best voices in the world have presented it on stage for over 20 years and none are to be found in this piece.
    It is just not the same, but still worth going. Seeing the story in a film form adds dimensions not possible on stage and Hugh Jackman is great. The child acters are heart melting and perfectly cast.
    LM fans must go. It did deserve better voices, though.

    • 31 out of 51 found this review helpful.
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Les Miserables (2012) Movie Reviews + Ratings

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Laney_Geitgey Can't believe I just now saw Les Mis. Not ashamed to admit I cried my eyes out. The best movie ever. #LesMis

1 days ago.

SiobhanClark93 Watched Les Miserables last night for the first time.......I have never cried so much at a film in my life. Such an amazing movie! #lesmis

1 days ago.

Showtime_Surrey The Les Mis Film DVD was released this week! I wonder who already has theirs! #lesmis #lesmisdvd

2 days ago.

321jenrolfe Watched Les Mis last night, longest movie I've watched since LOTR I think… Was quite good though #lesmis

2 days ago.

ashleighwalkerr Les Mis was a a really good film! Didn't expect to enjoy it that much! Bet it's amazing on the stage though! #lesmis

3 days ago.

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Cast Interviews Exclusive Cast Interview Hugh Jackman on delivering the "most thrilling audition" director Tom Hooper has ever seen, plus Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Samantha Barks and Eddie Redmayne. Holiday Movie Guide Check out what other movies are opening during the holiday season! Awards Watch: Hugh Jackman Exclusive Interview More Films on Fandango's Awards Watch