Chapter 172: Giving Hollywood a Bit of Musical Shock, One Song Stuns Taylor Swift!

Looking at Hollywood in the 1950s, the entire North American continent was then a scene of decadent luxury.

Marked by Singin' in the Rain, the musical genre also reached its peak during this period.

Later, all the way into the 21st century, musicals gradually fell into decline, even to the point of being called dead.

The first two High School Musical films couldn't even make it to the big screen, airing only on the Disney Channel.

The groups holding the power of discourse in Hollywood always like to reminisce about the Golden Age, scrutinizing later films with a critical eye.

So after Xu Can announced he was making a musical, the doubts directed at him never stopped.

Since being doubted starting with Spider-Man until now, Xu Can has long grown used to it.

If it were any white young actor, by now they would likely have been hailed to the heavens, becoming Hollywood's savior.

The mistake lies in the fact that Xu Can is Chinese, naturally carrying a debuff in Hollywood.

Xu Can is not the type willing to admit defeat; he will never play stereotypical roles just to please the North American film industry or cater to Hollywood's mainstream views.

From the very beginning, he has been overturning the perceptions of the entire North American society.

They said he couldn't act as Spider-Man, yet he became the handsomest Spider-Man in history, with box office receipts breaking 1.1 billion;

They said he couldn't make Marvel films, yet Iron Man's box office neared 1 billion;

They said his aura was too sunny and he couldn't play villains, yet the Joker he portrayed won an Oscar statuette;

Now they say Xu Can is defiling the musical genre, defiling Hollywood's Golden Age?

Saying he doesn't understand musicals?

Just as Xu Can said to the media live on the red carpet:

"The movie is about to start; remember to ask me the same question after you've watched it: do I not understand musicals?"

Having spoken, Xu Can turned away with flair, pulling Eldest Sister along as they walked into the venue.

Anyway, Eldest Sister has already grown used to Xu Can's style; he never fears challenging Hollywood's mainstream groups; he is simply a disruptor, a subversive.

Second director Damien, however, was full of worry; he knew the film's quality was excellent, yet still feared the entire society would be unable to appreciate their work.

Xu Can has now thoroughly offended the media; if La La Land fails, he dares not imagine what kind of blow he will suffer.

Star River Entertainment will likely suffer a heavy blow as well.

He does not want a boomerang to hit him in the head.

"Rest assured," Happy patted Damien's shoulder.

"After all this time, don't you know Xu yet? Just enjoy the victory, enjoy the movie."

This time, the Galaxy 20 theater did not have the same explosive atmosphere as before.

Mainly because before, people were watching superhero movies, which were full of entertainment value.

This time it counts as an artistic musical, which is inherently a niche category. Additionally, the hype from some media beforehand made everyone less optimistic about Xu Can's new attempt.

All of Xu Can's successes have been in commercial blockbusters, in action films.

Was this step perhaps taken a bit too boldly?

Of course, moviegoers who can calm their hearts to watch a musical are generally quite quiet.

The hall, packed with over a thousand people, was so silent that even a cough could be heard clearly.

Film critic Roger Ebert and his colleague and friend William Gay also arrived at the scene to watch the film.

Roger had a very good impression of Xu Can; seeing that he did not enter his comfort zone but instead challenged himself to make a musical type,

the struggling spirit of this young man named Xu Can is worthy of encouragement.

It was not in vain that he gave two thumbs up for every film.

Regardless of the film's final effect, he is willing to evaluate it from the most objective angle.

In contrast, his friend William had been complaining to him all the way from the journey there.

William, already over fifty years old, loves Singin' in the Rain the most.

He sighs every day about the demise of Hollywood musicals and Hollywood's gradual decline into formulaic patterns.

But whenever someone challenges the musical genre, he cannot help but criticize.

He criticizes Chicago for being flashy, and criticizes High School Musical for being childish and vulgar.

Especially regarding Xu Can, this person from Huaxia; he is simply so anxious he jumps up and down. That article in The New York Times was William's handiwork.

"Just as I wrote in my column, does he understand musicals? How could he possibly understand?"

"Ruining art in this field is truly intolerable!"

Roger was speechless: "Have you even seen it before judging? You racist!"

"I am not discriminating!"

William argued:

"No need to see it to know; it will definitely be a ruin! Just wait; when the film ends, I will pick holes ruthlessly! Make him go back to making spandex movies."

It was truly a bit exaggerated, as if a treasured divine anime in the hearts of 2D fans were being adapted into a live-action version by some rookie director.

Subconsciously, one feels it is ruining a masterpiece.

But he ignored one point: live-action adaptation is not necessarily ruining.

There are also adaptation ceilings like Rurouni Kenshin.

Others failing to make it well does not mean Xu Can cannot make it well.

Roger had a head full of black lines: "Say less; the movie is about to start. Film critics must pay attention to viewing etiquette."

"I..."

William still wanted to continue complaining, but the theater lights dimmed, so he could only hold back his urge to complain and watch with colored glasses.

The familiar space shuttle, transformed from 2D to 3D, broke through the void and headed straight for the galaxy!

【produced by Star River Pictures】

【distributed by Columbia Pictures】

As the subtitles displayed, Xu Can paid tribute to the history of cinema before the film even began.

From the black-and-white 1.33:1 aspect ratio of early cinema, it gradually expanded to the 2.55:1 widescreen format, and the image turned color.

Those unfamiliar with film completely missed this little Easter egg.

But for the professional film critic Luo Jie, he immediately noticed Xu Can's love letter to cinema.

It had nothing to do with nationality or race—only pure love for cinema itself.

As the film began, a hand-cranked camera slowly descended from the bright skies of California,

a long line of tightly packed cars stalled on the highway, each playing different genres of music, chaotic.

Until a sudden, sunlit piano prelude rang out, and the clear voice of a young woman in yellow launched the film's first musical number.

"I remember that day, I saw him lingering west of Santa Fe, we…"

The refreshingly original melody seized the audience's ears from the very start.

Though it was clearly night, everyone felt as if it were a bright, sunlit morning!

Their entire moods lifted considerably!

William, who had originally intended to find fault, initially sneered, dismissive.

Until the camera never cut—a single continuous take of the entire highway musical sequence!

His expression turned serious at once!

Different actors, different dance formations—complex yet perfectly orderly!

Whether in the actors' performances or the camera choreography, everything flowed with effortless grace!

"Alright, alright, showing off at the start, huh?"

From this first musical number, William already sensed this musical was unlike any other.

He waited for what came next—if the story was thin and the musical numbers weak, no matter how dazzling the opening, it would mean nothing!

"Because the sun rose, it was another bright, sunlit day!!"

When all the dancers stood atop the highway cars, the wide-screen shot covered the entire road, revealing a magnificent spectacle!

The song's final rest fell heavily—abruptly cut off!

【LALALAND】

The film's title appeared, echoing through the theater with the melody's lingering resonance.

Only then did the audience exhale deeply.