Get On Up

Universal Pictures | Release Date: August 1, 2014

7.0	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 82 Ratings

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User Reviews

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JPManningAug 2, 2014

Outstanding performance by Chadwick Boseman. His James Brown is spot on. The movie tells the back story of one of rock n' roll's most defining stars. The plot is a bit jumbled with timelines bouncing back & forth, but Boseman's performanceOutstanding performance by Chadwick Boseman. His James Brown is spot on. The movie tells the back story of one of rock n' roll's most defining stars. The plot is a bit jumbled with timelines bouncing back & forth, but Boseman's performance makes the trip more than worth the ride.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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raajdAug 2, 2014

No chance I'm ever going to see a better movie. I loved Get On Up , brilliant movie!!!DO see this! A great movie for the whole family. If you only see one movie this summer see Get On Up !!!

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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TVJerryAug 7, 2014

Chadwick Boseman is dynamite in this biopic of James Brown. He's got the moves and the style, while creating a character who's convincingly arrogant and occasionally touching. The story unfolds in a non-linear structure that expects theChadwick Boseman is dynamite in this biopic of James Brown. He's got the moves and the style, while creating a character who's convincingly arrogant and occasionally touching. The story unfolds in a non-linear structure that expects the audience to know some aspects of Brown's life, but that keeps it interesting. Even with the no-holds-barred depiction of his flaws, all of his hits are performed (with the real Brown's vocals) to make the experience a super-funky groove. The Godfather of Soul's genius is fully on display (especially on stage), but this film does a good job of detailing the emotional complexity of the man. Viola Davis, as his mother, is wonderful as always.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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GenuineOpinionAug 3, 2014

It was SO much better than I thought it was going to be. This movie did some interesting camera transitions, scene transitions, whatever you want to call it. It really put Mr. Dynamite's life into perspective. Excellent movie.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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ayarlettMar 15, 2015

Really enjoyed this movie. Laughed at the beginning, felt sad at times for his terrible childhood but overall, had me from start to finish. A very good portrait of the Godfather of Soul. Bobby Byrd was well played too and the actors has aReally enjoyed this movie. Laughed at the beginning, felt sad at times for his terrible childhood but overall, had me from start to finish. A very good portrait of the Godfather of Soul. Bobby Byrd was well played too and the actors has a great chemistry as there lives progressed together. Overall a solid 8 for me.
Plus, after watching, i just had to go and play some JB of course. Thanks Legend for all the good music!… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Brutus54Sep 30, 2014

Very good central performance, but frankly, if you didn't already understand why James Brown was an icon, you wouldn't find out from this movie. Clearly Brown had a number of personal demons. Clearly he was popular amongst African-AmericanVery good central performance, but frankly, if you didn't already understand why James Brown was an icon, you wouldn't find out from this movie. Clearly Brown had a number of personal demons. Clearly he was popular amongst African-American communities in America. Clearly he was a driven performer. But ultimately you get left with more questions than answers after watching this paradox of a movie. For one thing, quite a lot gets left out, in much the same way as was done for the Johnny Cash story in Walk the Line. So, overall, less clichéd than Ray, but somehow not nearly as satisfying. But if you love the funk, you shouldn't miss it. And good on Mick Jagger for getting it produced!… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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lukechristianscSep 2, 2014

i just got done watching into the storm an it was off the hook !. for odd reason i walked up to the door an saw get on up in the middle of the movie i knew it was the film that people needed to see to learn why music has its legend Jamesi just got done watching into the storm an it was off the hook !. for odd reason i walked up to the door an saw get on up in the middle of the movie i knew it was the film that people needed to see to learn why music has its legend James Brown an how that brown inspired popular singers like Ice Cube , Usher an Justin Timberlake. I did not see the beginning of the movie i only saw the half of the movie. but i understand that i did not need understand james brown as a boy i only needed to know why music has its legend James Brown Basically 42 Chadwick Boseman performance of the legend is probably the new elvis. Awesome Producing from Mick Jagger, Brian Grazer, Tate Taylor. how could i not forget the director of help Mr. Talyor who directed this amazing Musical Picture. Taylor has some dramactic segregation stories like the help which was an amazing movie. But Taylor decides to get back in the game with drama , Viola Davis again. Grade A+… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Brent_MarchantAug 3, 2014

An engaging look at the life of one of the music industry's most influential figures, with an outstanding, award-worthy performance by Chadwick Boseman. The approach used in telling the protagonist's story, which alternates betweenAn engaging look at the life of one of the music industry's most influential figures, with an outstanding, award-worthy performance by Chadwick Boseman. The approach used in telling the protagonist's story, which alternates between straightforward biography and nonlinear character study, doesn't always work as well as it could, but the film nevertheless manages to effectively explore the success of this giant of the entertainment world.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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zurnzurnJan 8, 2015

An energetic performance from the lead, even if the script doesn't always hit as hard. Leaves you with something but also expecting more. I think I'm giving it +1 just for the scenes with Little Richard.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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ydnar4Jan 10, 2015

Get On Up is an interesting music biopic. James Brown is one of the most popular musicians of all time. I find that the film got a lot of inspiration from Ray, the 2004 Ray Charles Biopic. The movie shifts back and forth in time regularly.Get On Up is an interesting music biopic. James Brown is one of the most popular musicians of all time. I find that the film got a lot of inspiration from Ray, the 2004 Ray Charles Biopic. The movie shifts back and forth in time regularly. Chadwick Boseman plays the best role in his young career in this movie, and he really showing some potential to be a big star in the future. His performance will likely go without an Oscar nomination despite its excellence. I don't know a whole lot about James Brown but I know that he suffered a bit of a downfall with legal troubles and drug abuse late in his career. They could've showed more of this and cut out some of the performance. It seemed like they filled the movie with unneeded clips of James Brown performing. Still a good watch despite this.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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BrkrDaveAug 13, 2014

Great acting by all with Chad Boseman in an Oscar contention performance. The two hours went quickly instead of me looking at my watch every twenty minutes. The only negative to me was in their attempt to cover James Brown's entire life andGreat acting by all with Chad Boseman in an Oscar contention performance. The two hours went quickly instead of me looking at my watch every twenty minutes. The only negative to me was in their attempt to cover James Brown's entire life and include all of his music there wasn't any time for the details of his life. So much was either left out or skimmed over superficially.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Gamzguy17Aug 21, 2021

It suffers from an odd confusing way of telling Brown's life story, as well as being overly pretentious, but the filmcrew's love of his accomplishments shines through, creating an admirable, but not great, biopic of this undisputed legend.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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