Get On Up - C+

Rated PG-13, 138 minutes

"Get On Up" filled with energy even if skims the surface of Brown's life

Chadwick Boseman as James Brown

"Get On Up" is the new bio film of legendary rock and soul singer James Brown, and much like Brown himself, the movie is flawed but has considerable energy and some good moves. It's a rather tame look and not as substantive as it could've been, though certainly entertaining. The film chronicles the life of Brown (Chadwick Boseman, who also played Jackie Robinson last year in "42") from his rough early childhood in the South to his rise as one of rock's most iconic figures in the 60s and 70s. Directed by Tate Taylor of "The Help" and co-written by brother Jez and John-Henry Butterworth, who penned this summer's Tom Cruise sci-fi movie "Edge of Tomorrow," it's an enjoyable, "warts-and-all" look at a colorful, iconic figure, though it seems to only skim the surface of some of Brown's and some of his problems, including drug use, legal problems and his relationship issues. Boseman is terrific as Brown, capturing Brown's look, energy and mannerisms, though Tate is wise to use Brown's singing voice of much of the film. However, there are a couple of central flaws with "Get on Up," in that it could've used a stronger director than Taylor. Much like Brown himself on stage, the movie jumps around considerably from the different stages of Brown's life, from his childhood to early teens to mid career to late life, and which provides a slightly uneven, shallow focus that doesn't provide enough depth to the movie. Second, and more problematic, is that it "breaks the fourth wall" by having Brown often address the audience, always a tricky move that is more of an annoyance and distraction here that doesn't work with the narrative. "Get On Up," though grounded by Boseman's believable performance as Brown, has a strong supporting cast, including Oscar-nominee Viola Davis as his mother, Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer, both from Taylor's "The Help" except this time they're underused, particularly Davis's small role as Brown's mother: her reappearance later in the movie is very awkwardly staged; Dan Aykroyd as Brown's agent Ben Bart, singer Jill Scott as one of his wives and in one of the film's stronger performances, "True Blood's" Nelsan Ellis as Brown's close friend, bandmate and confidant, Bobby Byrd - and though portrayed as a central character - the film doesn't give enough credit to Byrd for the significant part he played in launching Brown's career. "Get On Up" lacks insight into many of these characters and especially into Brown's personal problems, so it would come as no surprise the highlight of the movie is the concert sequences or whenever Brown is on stage or preparing for concerts. "Get On Up" is an entertaining look at Brown's life, but it could've benefited from a better script and perhaps a different director, who could've provided more edge to such an iconic figure.

Wes's Grade: C+