Just what I expected

Good concept, poorly executed.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

Blistering performances.

I haven't seen this for a few years and took it out for another viewing. This really is a tremendous film on many levels. The characters really really come alive. Zac Efron creates his own character in this film and well done. The roles created by Christian McKay (Orson Welles) James Tupper (Joseph Cotton)and Eddie Marsan (John Houseman) are superb. Any fan of old films will know how well they really nailed these characters. The rest of the cast was also superb. I like the story. Nice kid gets a break - but those ARE the breaks in the end. The costumes and art direction was excellent. Always enjoy scenes were the create an entire busy street but of days gone by. All in all one of my favourite films.

This movie follows the experience of a pushy high school student who unexpectedly finds himself in the position of an oppressed capable in a Broadway Shakespeare production in New York City, goes through precisely what many young Americans seeking success in employment of first choice as a goal to advance in life experience and ends up the wiser for it without gaining anything substantial. One strong point is the elegance of how 1930's New York City is portrayed. Another is even though this as much a parable of the underbelly of New York's Broadway as is Damon Runyon's GUYS AHD DOLLS, the message is so universal many folks who remember seeking advancement through the work world and end up wiser and better in mature life for the adventure without serious salary payment or serious job security to show for what they wanted to make a favored career. A fast moving film easy to look at and easy to listen to that will probably appeal on different levels to most filmgoers.

A very nicely depicted film of the U.S. in the 1930's (centred in New York) with the musical flavour of the era. It's about a young man (still in secondary school?) who finds a small character spot in Orson Welles's theatre reproduction of "Julius Caesar" – it's a sort of fascist rendition. With his employment comes romance, betrayal and more romance –all of this centred on the theatre. The main actor (the young man in search of love, fame and immortality) is played, I felt, rather tepidly by Zac Efron. But, perhaps, this is deliberate as the other actors surrounding him more than make up for this, particularly Christian McKay who plays Orson Welles. And there are a cast of dozens in this film vying for Orson's attention, adulation and fame - and it all works rather well.It has an authentic 1930's feel with relationships made and unmade at great speed. There is comedy and plenty of conflict in the entire theatre production – and an Orson Welles who has more than a swelled ego. It's a fun watch with a tidy ending.

When thinking about this film, the one thing that comes to mind is the scene talking about the short story - where nothing happened. I was looking forward to this movie, after all the rave reviews about it, and though it was not the worst film I've ever seen, it's definitely nowhere near the top. I spent the entire thing bored, waiting for something that wasn't monotonous to happen, and it never did. Although well acted, I had little interest in the characters or plot lines. Perhaps it's due to a lack of knowledge or understanding of Orson Welles' career, on my part, but I would not recommend this to other people.