The Producers - Reviewed by the Five Paragraph Bitter Film Critic

First off - this needs to be addressed - Nathan Lane as a ladykiller? Who in the HELL did that casting? That'd be like making Carson Kressley the star of the next "Terminator" film. "Terminator 4 - Rise of the Colour-Coordinating Machines." Nathan Lane trying to act like a straight guy is as uncomfortable as a vegan at a BBQ joint. That has to be the most ironic casting decision since Cedric the Entertainer was cast as the Jackie Gleason character in this summer's lousy "The Honeymooners." Or, at least since the dude who cast "Fatal Attraction" decided we needed to see Glenn Close's withered old milkbags instead of Anne Archer's.

Anyway, to the movie - What a fun time! This movie is done like an old-time musical featuring Ginger Rogers than the newer musicals like Chicago. Basically, they made the Broadway version of the movie bigger, but the acting is very similar to the stage version.

So, while the acting is all-top notch, it *IS* somewhat disconcerting to see people acting stage-style (bigger expressions, facial movements, vocal affectations) in a movie, where the camera, lighting and editing can really set a mood independent of the actor.

Ferris Bueller is quite the dancer, Uma is hot, and Will Ferrell is a hoot. He's perfect for anything related to Mel Brooks' style of comedy. The sets were wonderful, the singing and dancing was great, and the movie is a lot of fun. It's not for everybody, and, frankly, the musical is simply not as laugh-out-loud funny as the original, except when Will Ferrell is on screen. Some people went to the movie expecting a regular musical, and others expected a musical version of the original film. It's neither - just good entertainment.

Still, not a bad way to spend 9 bucks and a good date movie. And, you'll love Adolph, the Nazi Pigeon. I'd get a stuffed animal of Adolph, the Nazi Pigeon, but, I want all my Jewish friends who don't watch musicals to still like me.

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5 out of 7 Whammies! Two Whammies were deducted because stage acting on a movie screen is disconcerting. Another two Whammies were taken away because I got a parking ticket. However, those two Whammies were replaced because I got a ton of homemade tequila with a great bartender and a better dining companion.
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