Dreamgirls - Director's Extended Edition

Adapted from the 1981 Tony Award-winning, hit Broadway musical, "Dreamgirls" follows the ups and downs of a trio know as The Dreamettes (Beyonc� Knowles, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose). As this R&B girl group travels through doo-wop, soul, the Motown Sound, funk and all the way down to disco, the movie imagines the heyday of Motown in nearly operatic glamour -- style, lights and a helluva lot of color.

Effie (Hudson) knows what she wants. She's a strong woman with a big voice. But when a shifty young car salesman, Curtis Taylor, Jr. (Jamie Foxx) picks up her group at an amateur talent show, she starts making compromises.

Curtis is looking to break into the music industry. He starts The Dreamettes out as backup vocalists for the raucous soul singer James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy), but promises to one day makes them headliners. When that day comes, he pushes Effie out of her position as lead, hoping to make the group appeal to white audiences who, he figures, want Deena (Beyonc�) out front.

Curtis says, "She has a quality."

"You make her sound like a product," Deena's mother responds.

"'A product.' I like that!" says Curtis. He also strips Early of his soul in an attempt to make him into a pop-friendly balladeer.

As their careers speed forward their personal lives stick in second gear, thanks to bad romantic choices. Effie falls head over heels for Curtis, against all better judgment. Lorrell (Noni Rose) starts an affair with the married Early. And Deena ends up marrying Curtis after he dumps Effie and replaces her with a new backup singer, Michelle (Sharon Leal).

When everyone surrounds Effie to kick her out of the group - even her devoted brother, songwriter and choreographer, C.C. (Keith Robinson) -- she is at her lowest moment. Desperate, needy, longing to be loved, Effie belts out her power-ballad "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going."

It's an emotionally raw, show-stopping moment, aS she gives up her self-identity. "I don't want to be free," she wails. It's heartbreaking. But, luckily, Curtis doesn't listen; It's the best thing that could happen to Effie. For all these women, losing love helps all them to find themselves.

Beyond the music, "Dreamgirls" sparkles with sumptuous costumes and gorgeous scenic design. And any doubt you may have that this story is based on Berry Gordy, Jr. and the Supremes is quickly vanquished by the art direction. Beyonc� transforms through the decades just like Diana Ross. The humorous asides and visual allusions are clear.

This Director's Extended Edition Blu-ray includes the theatrical release and a director's cut with an additional 10 minutes of footage. It also includes a photobook with select song lyrics and never-before-released footage of Jennifer Hudson's audition and screen test.

"Dreamgirls: Director's Extended Edition"
Blu-ray Combo Pack
$39.99
www.dreamgirlsmovie.com/