Savanna Glass

With sparkling effects and a wonderful soundtrack, it's hard not to be enchanted by this movie. The Greatest Showman is a no-doubt movie that will lift your spirits and even make you feel somewhat refreshed. However, being an animal rights advocate, I can't help but see the real-life aspects that this movie covers up with a great soundtrack and the positive overall message of unconditional acceptance. Looking past the sparkling variables of this movie, I can't help but feel that it covers up the industry that led to 140 years of extreme animal abuse. Barnum was the very first man to exhibit numerous live exotic animal shows and exhibits. By blasting the overall message of equality, the brutal reality of the circus and the effects it had on its animal counterparts is lost. As time went on in the early days of Barnum's circus, Barnum eventually became involved in the early development of the ASPCA and helped expose the organization to the media, once he became friends with the founder of the ASPCA, Henry Bergh. To give a more clear, overall account of the circus, I think it would have been beneficial to include some of these historical and moral aspects. However, I am not surprised that they were not included, as many other viewers commented on the movies lack of historical accuracy. I apologize to those who read my review, as this was not meant to be a history lesson! Just my overall thoughts of the film :)