After an narcoleptic Argentinian falls through his ceiling, Christian (Ewan McGregor) joins a troupe of entertainers rehearsing "Spectacular Spectacular," a stage play which they hope to show to Satine (Nicole Kidman) who works at the Moulin Rouge, a riske` cabaret-esque nightspot in Paris.
However, Satine wants to become a famous actress, and she can only do so if the Moulin Rouge's next big show is sponsored by a Duke. A meeting is then set up between Satine and the Duke.
Christian meets with Satine one night to pitch his group's "Spectacular Spectacular" idea, however she thinks that it is the Duke in her room and falls in love with Christian.
That same night, the real Duke enters the room for the meeting. The Duke make it known that he will only sponsor the Moulin Rouge if he gains control of the title deed, and if Satine sleeps with him. But then, Satine has fallen in love with Christain...
The fast paced editing is refreshing to see; I like the way it goes from slow to fast in a blink of an eye. This was a nice touch.
The music of Moulin Rouge! is a mix of old and new lyrics intercut with fresh melodies. I especially love the way they used Smells like Teen Spirit with the dancers. It's a shame they didn't perform a longer version of this song on the soundtrack.
John Leguizamo, as Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, was really good and deserved an Oscar nomination for his work (he's really not that tall). He acted most of his sceens on his knees and required therapy after shooting. Amazing!
Plot: 
Interesting, fast-paced story with amusing characters.
Visual Effects:
The movie was filmed in Sydney, Australia, at the Fox Studios. Mmm hmm. Thats right folks... the entire Paris landscape is computer generated! It looks like a couple of shots of Paris are coputer graphics, but not he whole thing! Stunning! YOu'd never know it. The two shots of Paris are the longest continual visual effects shots ever done for a live action film.
Other than that, the camera angles are superb. The fast-paced editing is really something elese and make the film even better when put together with the songs.
Sound:
All the songs used in the film are a mixture of new and old, and are mixed with other songs to get these big production numbers, which are well done... Songs like these from musicals are always well done.
The song with Smells Like Teen Spirit at the beginning is still my favorite.
Character Development: 
The two main charaters - Christian and Satine - do change over the course of the film. But almost all of the supporting characters stay just that -as supporting characters. They have little depth and are not varied in type (the Duke and Zidler being the exceptions).
Atmosphere:
Several people made the comment that Moulin Rouge! was hard to get into. It isn't really, because director Baz Luhrmann uses that fast-paced action to get you into the film quickly.
Realism:
This is supposed to be based on a true story from the turn of the century in Paris; in fact there is a REAL Moulin Rouge in Paris, and there was a real Harold Zidler.
As well, the basic plot is based on the Greek legend of Orpheus and Eurydice in the underworld (ruled by Hades).
Warren’s Rating:
Movies it was nominated with for Best Picture:
*A Beautiful Mind, (2001); Gosford Park, (2001); In the Bedroom, (2001); Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, (2001);
8.71/10 Is the movie worth your time to watch?
05-07-04
