I saw this today. I liked it but was still underwhelmed.
I had lots of issues with this. I haven't seen the stage show but the novel is one of my all-time favorites.
For one, Les Mis should bring tears to people's eyes. And it never did for me. Not once. (I don't say I am a soft-guy but I am not that hard as well!
![Razz :P](./images/smilies/77tongue.gif)
)
Point two, I can appreciate the musical-approach but I do not think that singing each and every diaolgue fits the story well. Why not say the plot-point dialogues traditionally (at least some of it) and sing the rest, ala, Sound of Music?
Thirdly, I loved Anne's voice and acting. I loved Marius' voice. I loved the little Cosette and Gavroche too. But that's it. I didn't feel for any other character. Not even Valjean. (I thought Jackman's singing was the most mediocre among those who sang). I loved all the songs by Crowe, as they had a certain energy and often broke the monotonous slow-singing by the rest of the cast. But Crowe himself didn't suit the role. He looked quite kind.
Fourth, Bonham Carter's make-up!
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT???
fifth, I don't think I was moved by any of the scenes except Enjorlas and Gavroche's deaths. But Valjean's came close. I expected Javert's death to be heart-wrenching, but it just wasn't. And I feel it was mostly the director's fault.
Sixth, favorite song? "Red, the Colour of dawn". I actually loved all the chorus and group songs. But I was left cold by the individual songs, especially Jackman's.
And lastly, the most annoying aspect of the film was the shaky-cams and close-ups! Whee, they must've rendered PtB catatonic!
Overall Score: 5/10
ETA: I wonder how many here have seen the 1999 adaptation of Les Mis with Liam Neeson and Geoffrey Rush? I saw it a couple of years ago and remember being in a pool of tears when Javert dies. Geoffrey Rush as Javert was exceptional.