Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart whom is sent to prison after shooting and killing a man. Roxie - a wannabe starlet - then meets Velma Kelly a once Jazz star who was sent to prison after murdering her sister and husband and Hart learns how to manipulate the media and turn her 'style' into a brand. But with the threat of a hanging looming over her head and the desperate need to be famous will she be able to survive the media machine?

Chicago's choreography is truly awe inspiring and brings the music to life with grace and gritty exuberance with hundreds of dancers coming together to tell their own little, highly seductive tale of deceit and lies. Mixing the poise and accuracy of ballet with the roaring high-energy style of 20's dance, the constant movement keeps the audience interested and the story alive. The routines are very sexually charged which really accents the point of the songs and the story and each dancer interacts with the bright set pieces to create a tapestry of beauty and sleaze. Just looking at the Cellblock Tango puts the scale of the dance pieces into perspective - what starts as a 6 woman tango turns into a fully blown extravaganza of lights and nifty dance moves. Simply as a showcase for amazing dancers doing their thing Chicago works - because the routines are powerful, poised and passionate -much like the goddess's performing them- with the right balance of high-brow and low-brow shimmies and shakes.

If I had one complaint about Chicago it would be that the story feels dated - the tale of lawyers and sleaze balls controlling the media doesn't feel as scaving as I'm sure it did in the 20's and the 70's when music was introduced to the story. The plotline doesn't really have as much to say as it thinks it does, yes there are some witty observations on the celebrity culture and manipulation of the media but it feel slightly staled and a bit forced. Its also fairly predictable with a few plot-twists which any movie (or theatre) goer should see coming a mile off - but this is covered up by some gems of dialogue and a nice twist ending. An ending which is uplifting, enjoyable and thought provoking all at the same time - with Catherine Zeta Jones and Renee Zellweger dancing their hearts out as the film reaches a surprisingly touching crescendo. The character development is far more accomplished than the story as a whole - by the end credits you feel as though you know the lead two characters, and whether you like them or not you will probably care what happens to them.

Renee Zellweger plays Roxie Hart with passion and understanding - she embodies the character with energy and wit and despite her questionable dancing she really impresses. Essentially Roxie is a highly unlike able character who's moral are more than questionable and lack of discernable talent blaringly obvious to everyone but her. Much to Zellweger's credit Hart is represented in a three dimensional, rounded way and she adds a essence of naivety and childlike hopefulness that is not seen in the stage show. I see her as tragic character - someone who's whole life is ruled by a need to be famous - and one of her lines always catches me 'they didn't even want a picture…. I don't understand' after another murderess gets all the headlines and she is left outside in the cold. Infact her interpretation is quite heartbreaking and beautifully realised with that certain sort of star quality that is hard to define - she just knows Roxie and her dedication and enthusiasm for the role really pays off.

Surprisingly it is Queen Latifah who impresses the most - as mentioned above her solo 'When Your Good To Momma' is one of the highlights of the piece and her interpretation of Matron Momma Morgan is sexy, funny, scathing and moving - she is a breathe of fresh air. Her voice has a huge range and it is just so refreshing to see her in a different kind of role.