Critical Response to Chicago
So how did the critics respond to Chicago? Well, many of them were a little concerned before the film’s big release, arguing that movie musicals had died out over the years and just couldn’t seem to work in the modern world. However, once they saw the film, critics were almost unanimous in their praise.
Renee Zellweger and Richard Gere in ‘Chicago’ 2002. Photo by Miramax / Producers Circle / Storyline / Kobal / Shutterstock
Tim Robey in The Daily Telegraph called Chicago ‘The best screen musical for 30 years’, while Roger Ebert, one of the most famous film critics of all time, gave it an impressive three and a half stars out of four. Some critics had a few minor complaints about directing and the streamlined nature of the plot, but most agreed it was a fantastic film.