I tend to be skeptical of movies that rely on excessive promotion, especially when it involves dramatic music and casting choices that feel off. Seeing Michael Crawford in "Barnum" back in 1982 also set the bar pretty low for me—and yet, I ended up enjoying this film! Hugh Jackman is genuinely effective as the young son of a traveling tailor who has big ambitions. He injects a lot of personality into his portrayal of P.T. Barnum, who’s trying to win over "Charity" (Michelle Williams), even though she comes from a rich background that's far beyond his reach financially. The film generally adheres to the timeline of Barnum’s real-life accomplishments—his marriage, family, and how his American Museum of Curiosities evolved into a circus showcasing all sorts of unusual people—including Sam Humphrey as "Gen. Tom Thumb" and Keala Settle in an excellent performance as the "Bearded Lady." This musical adaptation largely sticks to the story of this inspirational figure’s rise from poverty to wealth, showing how he figured out what audiences wanted. However, Barnum doesn't just want a common audience; he wants acceptance from the upper class, so with the help of the sophisticated and somewhat bored theater producer Zac Efron as "Philip Carlyle," they travel to England to meet Queen Victoria—the very definition of high society—where he encounters Jenny Lind, the famous Swedish singer, and his success seems assured... Efron has also improved considerably since “High School Musical” (2006), and Rebecca Ferguson is good playing "Lind." I did find the music somewhat unremarkable; there’s no standout song. While tunes like "A Million Dreams," "Come Alive," and "Rewrite the Stars" are catchy, they all blend together, resulting in a pleasant but forgettable score for this enjoyable family film. It's decent—certainly better than I anticipated.

Source on TMDB