There is no denying the film's enthusiasm and emotive sway. It's musical numbers drum up the kind of feel-good vibes that would put the likes of Gordon Ramsay in a good mood.
Musicians Benj Pasek and Justin Paul seem to be at the peak of their powers right now; they wrote songs for last year's La La Land and here they've penned the kind of songs that become household anthems, playing in your head for weeks.
Outside of the music numbers (11 in all), the film methodically moves from plot juncture to plot juncture in search of the next foot tapping number.
Narratively, The Greatest Showman doesn't break any new ground, nor does it seem to want to. Instead, it appears content to plod an increasingly well-trodden path and trade in narrative complexities for the evocative cheer of its musical numbers.
No doubt its well choreographed and sentimentally catchy tunes will have you leaving the theatre basking in its warm glow but unfortunately its lack of narrative depth makes the glow fade fast ... but you'll be humming those songs for months.
The Greatest Showman
Director: Brett Haley
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, Rebecca Ferguson
Running time: 105 mins
Rating: PG
