Overrated and overhyped

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

I thoroughly enjoyed this Easter Sunday night 2018 presentation. That this was done live on tv made it all the more impressive.There are many comments lamenting the commercials. It becomes obvious that commercial were needed for scene changes since the se6t was large and central to the stage. There were not small sets for different scenes....most everything was done center-stage, and things needed to be converted to different settings.I applaud the musical components. The musicians were wonderful and recreated the well-known soundtrack LIVE. The singing was equally impressive. The intensity of the sung music by different actors effectively portrayed their character's mindset and psychology. I believe each of the main actors was well matched in voice and psychology to the characters they portrayed.I've seen the 1970's movie countless times, so I know the lyrics and the music by heart. There were some lyric changes. At a few times during the production, the solo singing was drowned out by audience applause. That being said, the audience excitement contributed energy to the presentation and helped the viewer feel this was closer to the historical events which happened in front of supportive and enemy crowds. I don'r think the audience participation was too excessive to adversely effect the production.I noted a few minor glitches....Alice Cooper signalling twice for his music to begin (this might have been an intentional over-cue to demonstrate the personality he was portraying in the over-the-top Herod.). During the scourging of the portrayed Christ, actors were running past and signalling each of the 39 scourges........it seemed some of the lashes happened without a particular actor running by and serving those lashes.I have seen 2 live productions of JCS---both of which had Ted Neeley. Those two productions differed in their own representations of the crowd, of Herod, of the Zealots, etc. It is interesting to see how each production takes the story and presents it in a fresh way. Lastly, when I watched on Easter Sunday night, I sat with my 93 year old Mom. She enjoyed the spectacle, but it was difficult for her to hear the lyrics through the rock music. I'll always remember, for this production, being a live singer/personal subtitler for her. She knows the story of the passion well, so the assistance I provided helped her also enjoy the presentation. Some people like/love this version of the passion story. others hate this version. Each year i tend to watch all of the filmed productions.......King of Kings (silent), king of Kings, The greatest Story ever Told, Jesus of Nazareth. This and the 1970's version will also now be future traditional viewing for me. Given the age of the actual Biblical characters, and knowing human nature, I think this version of the passion story makes real the human perspective of the events of the passion. I'd recommend this version for its vibrance, its adherence to the Biblical story, its artistic and musical beauty, its conveyed emotions, and its excitement. Kudos.

For me the most memorable rendering of this material was the National touring company at the original album's release. It was a static chorus where soloist performed (in street clothes) on the apron of the stage with a symphony orchestra and rock band. Simple, pure and emotionally cathartic. The later film and stage versions never took hold for me because they needed to elaborate the material, and I don't think it needs it. Filming a musical/opera in natural settings makes the whole thing ridiculous to me. Bursting into song belongs on a stage with a live audience. When NBC announced a "concert version" I was hopeful there would be a return to the simple presentation I first experienced. And indeed, I think NBC accomplished something that let us experience the "old, old story" in a way that made it fresh, in a context of rebellion that organized religion minimizes, that the 1970's composition intended. While the commercial interruptions were jarring and tedious, it is a commercial enterprise that we can forgive because it gave us so much: a great cast (performing live and unedited), imaginative sets, costumes and choreography, with a powerful finale that often misses in previous versions. And in this case, whoever conceived of the rendering of the crucifixion should be honored for their imagination, restraint and restoring faith in the power of commercial television. Both John Legend's unique vocal style and lack of stage performing expertise worked to set him aside as something "new and compelling" for Jesus. There was a purity and innocence as well as a preordained knowing in his performance. It was subtle-very risky-and paid off. In contrast, Brandon Victor Dixon's considerable performing experience grounded the show, as various misses in vocalizing and dancing reflected the character's hesitation in the role of betrayal he's given. And Sara Bareilles was perfection.I thought the cast of dancers and chorus brought enthusiasm and clarity to their job of hero worship and how that can turn into persecution. They were very well rehearsed, but it appeared heartfelt. And the realization of what had happened as the shadow of the man they've crucified moves across their faces was surprisingly moving. As for the audience in the Brooklyn Armory, I can understand why there are complaints about their intrusion into the action onstage. But I think it added to the point being made. The kind of hysteria we give to 'superstars' can lead to very unpredictable results. In this case it gave the world a savior, but it can also lead to destroying what we hold dear. So I won't fault the noise they added to the production, I think it gave it a kind of energy that we should give serious consideration. For instance, was Alice Cooper deserving of the reception he got? Or was it about something else?I understand that NBC intends "Rent" as their next project. I hope they involve the same production crew in developing it, because the group who imagined this "Jesus Christ Superstar" knew what they were doing and should be given another opportunity.

I bought the original Rock Opera back in the 70's (on vinyl) and played it endlessly. Needless to say when I watch the live broadcast I was expecting some of the voices to be the same or similar but alas they were not. I thought the main characters did not have the range that Ian Gillan, Murray Head, and Yvonne Elliman had they were super. I really like John Legend but sorry it was just not the same. The thing that really bothered me was the constant crowd noise why in the world pay a whole bunch of money only not to be able to hear it over your screaming? That ruined it for me.

Great performance, thank God I recorded it to get past the awful commercials.