mebroadway95 I have a long history with "The Music Man". I played Mayor Shinn in a children's community theatre production when I was 11, and I grew up with both this version and the original 1962 movie with Robert Preston and Shirley Jones. I've recently revisited both of these movies. The original holds up very well, with all-around stellar performances and a wonderful nostalgic atmosphere. It is in both of these departments where this remake fails. While a lot of people constantly criticize Matthew Broderick for being bland and stiff, I find him to be extremely funny and fun to watch, with this performance being an exception. I don't think it's all his fault, though. It's just a case of very bad casting. He's too nerdy and bookish to play the suave, fast-talking con man. Broderick also has the same problem as a lot of the rest of the cast. They play it too contemporary. Everyone talked as if they were in the early 2000s, rather than the early 1900s. Victor Garber as the supercilious mayor needs to be MUCH more over-the-top, but rather plays it as something out of CSI. Molly Shannon as his wife also underplays the comedy way too much, which is something she has never seemed to have a problem with. She just doesn't have the terminal sense of disdain in her voice that Hermione Gingold had in the 1962 version. Some of the ensemble acting and singing is just BAD. The opening train scene, usually a highlight, is downright cringe-worthy in this version. The highlight of this movie, without a doubt, is Kristin Chenoweth. Though I think she has gone down hill as a performer recently, she is at the top of her game in this otherwise-terrible movie. She seems to be the only one there who understands the time period and the style of comedy this musical requires, and she sings the hell out of that beautiful music!! The only one who comes close to her is Debra Monk as her mother. She just tends to go a little too stereotypical- Irish mother, but her scenes with Chenoweth are the acting highlights of the movie. Overall, I would recommend this to any Kristin Chenoweth fan who wants to see her nail one the great Soprano roles in musical theater. But for anyone who wants to introduce themselves to this great American musical, watch the original.

cmichaelperry53 I have liked Matthew Broderick in many of the roles he has played. But this role seemed far beyond him. He is mush and milk-toast. Something I hadn't expected of him. Never even approached the "Spell binding cymbal salesman' that Harold Hill is supposed to be. The remainder of the cast is fun and effervescent. Kristin Chenowyth is delightful and Molly Shannon is a hoot. Some of the dancing is a little modern, but fun. The look of the show was solid. I would rate this a 9 out of 10 if Hill had been played more fully and successfully. I had to fault not only Broderick but the Director for allowing the performance in the first place. The music is well presented. It is a fun show. If you have not seen other Harold Hills you might like Broderick's performance. But I was supremely disappointed.

dmaboyer This is one of the few movies where the remake is at least as good as, if not better than,the original. The dancing is just superb especially the library number. Matthew Broderick does a very good job as the professor. He is a very good dancer. Kristin Chenoweth has a wonderful voice. The new ending really was a delight because it tied the story together more than the original ending. If I had any complaints it is that the mayor is miscast. I see the mayor as a sort of clown. Victor Garber is not really believable as a clownish character. He is too polished to play a clown. This is a movie that I would see over and over again.

johntbass This is an awful remake of the original. The colors of everything, houses, clothing, etc. are all muted and subdued. The musical performances are OK but not as good as the original. Matthew Broderick gives us a truly uninspired and emotionless Harold Hill. I guess he thought he was doing a remake of a Buster Keaton film. As wonderful as Kristin Chenoweth as Marian Paroo is, she cannot save this turkey. The original is 100 times better than this piece of junk. I would rather jump into a swimming pool filled with double edged razor blades than watch this a second time. If you saw the original and you saw this one, like me, I think you would be upset at what they did to this beautiful work of art.