The Greatest Showman Review: 5 Ups & 4 Downs

Ups...

5. It's Goofy As Hell (And Totally Knows It)

For all of the film's flaws, few will accuse it of taking itself too seriously. Though many musicals become self-serious to the point that it's offputting or even unintentionally comical, The Greatest Showman leans into its inherent silliness and has fun with it.

You'll laugh at the absurd pomp of it all, but you'll be laughing with the movie rather than at it. The actors play-up to the hamminess, and you won't find many eye-rolling moments where the characters sing forlornly about their laundry list of problems.

It's peppy and upbeat for the most part, which while not representative of the true nature of Barnum's story, does at least ensure the film is a fun, undemanding sit for this time of the year.