Less Cirque, not much Soleil

 Midnight Sun: Cirque du Soleil

French or English

95 Minutes, 2004

3 Stars

Very different, I missed the clown acts, and there seemed far less of the usual Cirque acrobatics and a lot more dancing. I enjoyed the music (well, most of it) and loved the singing, but I missed the "circus" acts. I'm still not sure what the story was, if there was one. It's billed as a 3-stage extravaganza, but really the action only takes place on two stages. The third is high and a platform with a man on it. I imagine from the ground it would be impossible to know what he was doing, fortunately, he didn't do much. Few of the really spectacular costumes. Best scenes in the trailer. The couple who do the slowmo balancing at the end are fantastic! They are white haired and seen in the trailer.

Trailer

Varekai!

Varekai: Cirque du Soleil

English

110 minutes

5 Stars

I watched the special that ran several weeks on Bravo about the making of this show. It was fantastic. It tells the story of a young man who falls from the sky into a magical world at the base of a volcano. The creatures are hilarious, gorgeous, sad, funny, and totally marvelous. Need something to watch with the whole family? This is it! The juggler, the flying birds, the plant man with no shirt, the man with the light bulb – all the others combine into some of the most fantastic acts. The music is great, the costumes are marvelous – what can I say? Watch it. Enjoy it. And pass the popcorn, please.

Trailer

Quidam! The Weightless Troupe;-)

Quidam: Cirque du Soleil

French (no dialog, but there are subtitles)

90 minutes

5 Stars

This is the CdS I know and love. Stunning acrobatics, marvelous illusions and performances. Zoe is a young child ignored by her parents and finds herself in a magical world, which we get to share. Cirque do Soleil is never ordinary, and this was spectacular. Somehow, they seem to have voided the effects of gravity, or perhaps they are merely weightless. A show the whole family can watch and enjoy. Great comedy and many chances to laugh outloud!

Trailer