Review: A Star Is Born

​Wow, what a movie. A Star Is Born is a powerful, moving and an authentic symphonic. Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga soar in this sweep-you-off-your-feet story. A modern retelling of a timeless tale. Believe the hype, Gaga’s performance and vocals will blow you away. It stands tall as one of the very best of 2018 and receives a five-star review from me.

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Oscars season has finally arrived. A Star Is Born is a crowd-pleaser and the starstruck picture of the year. Fueled by raw musical ecstasy, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga will rock your world. Yes, this is the fourth remake of A Star Is Born (1937, 1954 and 1976), but these classic music notes never grow old. Cooper helms the film as the actor, director, co-writer, and co-producer. This is Cooper’s directorial debut and what a magnificent first feature it was. Gaga also takes the gold as her top-notch vocals and fierce acting will bring you to tears. Our story follows a musician (Cooper) who helps a young singer (Gaga) find fame, even as age and alcoholism send his own career into a troubling downward spiral.

​As Gaga’s career rises, Cooper’s career begins to fall and lose control. Cooper plays a country music legend named Jackson Maine. Drugs and alcohol keep him on a high, as he softly sings “maybe we should let the old ways die” with his soothing guitar. Gaga plays an ambitious woman named Ally, who’s stuck in a rut with trying to get her voice heard. Ally is a waitress, a songwriter and she also performs at a local drag bar to keep her voice passionate and electrified. One night, Jackson stumbles into the drag bar and witnesses Ally’s captivating performance on the stage. From there, Jack and Ally’s story of artistic soul, love, and heartbreak follows. It’s a sweep-you-off-your-feet movie full of harmony and warmth.

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​Cooper is a four-time Oscar nominee (American Sniper, American Hustle, and Silver Linings Playbook), and I’m predicting he’ll take home some Oscar gold this awards season. Nominated for one Oscar (2016 Best Original Song, Til It Happens to You), Gaga's time to fully shine has finally come. Not only does she deserve to win an Oscar for Best Original Song, I believe, she also deserves to win an Oscar for Best Lead Actress. Gaga’s performance is a knockout. From the moment the camera shines on her face, to that first note, Gaga hypnotizes your world. Cooper and Gaga’s on-screen chemistry is dynamite. All of the music in the film is also done live, because Gaga convinced Cooper to do so. I believe that made a huge impact on the movie, as it was all the more powerful. It was like watching a live concert right before your very eyes. Engrossing frame by frame with pure aesthetic bliss. Read some of these beautifully written lyrics and soak it all in: 

[Verse 1: Bradley Cooper]
Tell me somethin', girl
Are you happy in this modern world?
Or do you need more?
Is there somethin' else you're searchin' for?

[Refrain: Bradley Cooper]
I'm fallin'
In all the good times
I find myself longing for change
And in the bad times, I fear myself

[Verse 2: Lady Gaga]
Tell me something, boy
Aren't you tired tryin' to fill that void?
Or do you need more?
Ain't it hard keepin' it so hardcore?

[Refrain: Lady Gaga]
I'm falling
In all the good times
I find myself longing for change
And, in the bad times, I fear myself

[Chorus: Lady Gaga]
I'm off the deep end, watch as I dive in
I'll never meet the ground
Crash through the surface where they can't hurt us
We're far from the shallow now
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​The original score and soundtrack will also blow you away. We get beautiful numbers like Maybe It's Time, Shallow, Music to My Eyes, Always Remember Us This Way, Look What I Found, and I'll Never Love Again. With its fierce musical numbers, deft direction, and a harmonizing love story, A Star Is Born is a remake done right. There are some tales that defy all odds and can be retold again and again. What a wonder this film is and will become in years’ time. With its world premiere at the 75th Venice International Film Festival and a current worldwide gross of $342 million, A Star Is Born will continue to blossom throughout this holiday season. A superior film full of flawed individuals, who sing with stardust from above. Audiences everywhere will fall in love with Jack and Ally one note at a time. Goodnight, La Vie en rose. ​

A Star Is Born is rated R (Restricted). For language throughout, some sexuality/nudity and substance abuse.