Happy Easter, everyone!!! Love is in the air!!!... just not on IMDb, and especially not on my review of this demolition of a classic.I'm one of the few who thinks Andrew Lloyd Webber is the worst thing to happen to musical theatre and the cause of the downfall of modern society. I think that JCS is quite possibly the ONE good thing that he has ever been a part of, and it was one of my favourite movies as a child. This weekend, this remake aired on TV, and I figured this would be a good watch, eh? No, actually.First off, the look of the movie is incredibly awful. I totally don't believe this was shot at Pinewood- for starters, this film looks like a cross between a commercial for some 1990's street clothing company, and a Colour Me Badd music video. What's with all the graffiti??? Are they trying to make this a "street tough" JCS??? Lots accuse the 70's movie of being too "hippie", but I respectfully disagree, and besides, even if it was, it still would be way better than this trainwreck of a film. Especially hilarious was the Pilate's Dream scene... it looked like a gay porn spoof of Aladdin.The cast is HORRIBLE!!!! The one good performer in this is Tony Vincent... shame he got a role so small (Simon) and below his INCREDIBLE range!!! And why does he look like a gay stripper in this movie???? He should have been Judas. Speak of the devil (no pun intended), Jerome Pradon is quite possibly the worst singer ever to make it to the stage. His voice is so nasal and whimpy. And then there are times I thought I was listening to Yogi Bear singing. I actually laughed during Heaven on their Mind, when he yelled "JEEEEEESSSUUUUUSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!". Actually, since I recorded this on my PVR, I go back and rewind that part over and over if I need a laugh. Then, there's Glen Carter... and even he sucked!!!! His falsetto was so bad, he even made me laugh in the wrong places too. "MOOOOOOOOOOOYYYYYYY TAMPLAH SHAD BEEEEHHH A HOOOOSEEEE OF PRAAAAHAAAAYAAAAHHHHRRRRRR!!!!!" don't get me started. Those calling him good, GET YOUR EARS CHECKED. Also, I love when he over-emphasizes "obssessed" in "What's the Buzz"... "Whah ah you Obsessed with faaaatttting!!!!!" Mary sounds like she's singing with her throat. Pilate?? Let me just say he has nothing on Barry Dennen's kick-ass rasp that totally added.As for the production in general... I gotta give props to Tony because he really acted and sang his face off in this trainwreck. Why did they make Judas a leather jacket-wearing punk who acts creepily around women (what was with the flirting during "Everything's alright"? Why does Herod look like Al Capone??? Why does Jesus come off as a wimp who looks like Robert Plant in a wifebeater??? Why does Judas wear red in the finale and sing spitefully in Jesus' face during "Superstar"? WHy does Jesus cry like a baby during the crucifixion? Why does Jesus deliver his final line like "I commend... MYYYYYYYYY SPPPIIIIIIIIIIIRIIIIIIIIITTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!" (on the same topic, does whoever directed this think a man who got whipped senselessly, forced to carry his own cross, nailed and hung from the cross have the energy to do that?!?!?!?!)?. Oh, and don't forget, I was just yelling "Hurry up and die already!" at the screen during the crucifixion... not a good sign.Just avoid this disaster. Seek the 73 version out because it's a rockin' movie, and Carl Anderson and Ted Neely FTW.

Maybe it's because this was the first version I've seen (I've only watched specific songs from the 1973 version to compare) but I love it! I'm Jewish, so I'm not that invested in the story of Jesus and whether it's blaspheme or not, so I can just enjoy it for what it is: A great story with fascinating characters.I love the modernization of the story- I love the "Simon Zealotes" scene with the machine guns, I love the outfits, I love Herod's cheesy number, I love all of it. I think it's a great idea and makes it more accessible for it's current audience.I found Carter's Jesus more human and likable than the one from 1973. I love seeing him get angry, happy, tormented, tired...I love seeing his fear in "would you die for me" and the looks he exchanges with Judas throughout the whole thing- it really speaks volumes.I loved Peter and Mary's "Could we start again" duet, I think their voices are better (and mesh better) than the 1973 version and while I think Simon looked a bit too much like a "boy band", I liked "Simon Zealotes" more than that crazy dancing in 1973 that I wasn't sure if I was amused or scared by. I think Mary over-acted a few scenes, but she's got a gorgeous voice and is very sensual.Which brings me to Judas. Now I'll admit- Carl in 1973 has a better voice (apparently Jerome Pradon is a Baritone singing Tenor in this) but this Judas has completely won me over. The reactions, acting, emotions- he's so wonderful I completely fell for his Judas. Even when Pradon's singing got a bit too high for him, his acting more than made up for it IMHO. I keep re-watching scenes with him and catching little gestures and expressions- especially in the scenes between him and Jesus. It doesn't hurt that I found him completely hot, mind you!The Priests were creepy, even if Caiaphas went a bit too low for his own good. Annas I found was extremely creepy and disturbing- so well done! Pilate I found was interesting. Sometimes I had to laugh at his expressions and over-enunciating, but then again, sometimes he moved me- like the tears he had in his eyes in "Pilate's dream".All and all I highly recommend this, if you come with an open mind. The first time I saw this it was a bit weird, but the second time I started getting obsessed with it.

I've never seen such a moving musical. I had already seen the movie with Ted Neely and Carl Anderson, but this show is more intense, more passionate and more exciting too. The majority of people consider Judas as the worst species of traitor, I should suggest them to watch this musical... If Judas hadn't kissed Jesus, now our Catholic History would be very different... But has anyone thought about Judas' sufferings? He betrays because this is his Destiny, the Destiny God assigned him. Jerome Pradon is absolutely wonderful, not only his voice, but also all his gestures and expressions. He made me laugh, he made me move, he made me feel sorrow and pain. He's extraordinary. I love him. And Jesus/Glenn Carter is as fantastic as him. Jesus loved Judas, one of his Twelve Chosen, and he knows that he must betrays, or His Father's will wouldn't be accomplished. But how painful is! Absolutely marvellous.

I am totally blown away by the high ratings and laudatory comments reflected by others for this production. It's like, what movie did you watch? I felt this production was one of the most miscast movies/videos that I've ever seen. The only cast member that evoked even the slightest pathos in me was Mary Magdalene; having said that, her singing talent fell shy.The Jesus and Judas characters left me totally cold and confused. They really didn't seem to have a clue what their roles were meant to convey. Jesus was lacking in any quality that would ever make me think of him as a "messiah" or even a complex human being. I felt zero warmth emanating from him.The Judas character, while certainly reflecting significant zeal, left me bewildered as to his real motivation, his commitment, his humanity.Sometimes updating the original setting to the modern era works, but this production totally failed to carry or convince me of anything. An interesting thought that my wife pointed out was that the scenes near the beginning where Jesus touches his apostles and vice versa left her feeling like there were almost sensual gay sentiments being conveyed, rather than the natural warmth and compassion that were communicated in other "time of Christ" presentations.I love musical theater and have seen quite a few productions of JCS, including the original Broadway and movie presentations. This production did have a few good moments that I did enjoy, but this was clearly the worst presentation I've ever viewed, including our amateur local productions. Very disappointing!!!