While most people were fondling their Christmas gadgets and admiring their brand new gifts with great joy, I was nestled in deluxe movie theater seating watching the premiere of Dreamgirls. Seeing a movie in theaters on Christmas has never been my style, but I chose to break with tradition and attend what I anticipated to be the “best movie of the season.” While the movie didn’t quite live up to my expectations, I still think it is quite good.

Dreamgirls’ storyline centers around the rise of a fictional singing trio—the Dreamettes—in the 1960s comprised of Deena (Beyonce Knowles), Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose), and Effie (Jennifer Hudson)–think the Supremes and Diana Ross and you’ll be right on the mark. The girls quickly draw the attention of Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx), a car salesman with the drive to form his own record label in order to emit the soulful sounds of Detroit during the angst of the Civil Rights Movement. Curtis arranges for the young trio to sing backup for Jimmy “Thunder” Early (Eddie Murphy), a womanizing pop singer resembling the late James Brown. The group hits the road touring and the rise to fame is on its way.

The Dreamettes, who later morph into the more mature “Dreams,” experience great success, but inner-group conflict emerges to add drama to an otherwise smooth rise through the pop charts. Curtis decides to make Deena the Dreams’ lead singer, and while she doesn’t have the pipes that Effie has, she has the stunning beauty that will attract an audience. Effie refuses to comply with these changes. Curtis, who becomes Effie’s ex-lover, replaces her in the group to ensure success for his “Dreamgirls.”

His thirst for fame reigns supreme and what transpires is the emergence of a super singing group led by Deena and his forming of the major music label, Rainbow Records. Effie doesn’t disappear from the plot, but I’ll leave the rest for you to discover.

The movie falls short in a few areas. Don’t get me wrong, the movie was far above average and definitely worth seeing, but compared to the tremendous amount of hype it received, Dreamgirls failed to astound like Chicago, Ray and Walk the Line did. The acting was decent but not stunning. I couldn’t quite get over seeing Beyonce on screen (which you’ll see enough of in the movie’s last half) and not think about her shaking her ass in music videos like “Check Up On It” in ridiculous pink outfits. Hudson was the knockout performance by far, with Murphy coming in a close second.

For lovers of musicals and soul music, this is a must see flick. Your toes will be tappin’ and you might even feel a goose bump or two as Effie belts out her emotional despair with such force. In a culture where American Idol has infiltrated our living rooms, this movie will find its place among musical enthusiasts. Dreamgirls is visually glamorous. Like other recent musicals, you feel as though you’re an actual audience member during a live show. However, if musicals aren’t your thing, you might find yourself chuckling at the random bursts into song throughout the story. It may not the best film of the year, but certainly worth seeing if Motown, musicals, or Beyonce gets you goin’.