Entertainment

Dreamgirls

B+

Starring Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson. Directed by Bill Condon. PG-13 (language, some sexuality, drug content). 130 mins. plus extras. DreamWorks, $29.99 (full- screen edition), $34.99 (two-disc "Showstopper" edition)

SUPREME DREAM: Invoking the approachable soul and crossover glamour of Motown, the long-in-coming film adaptation of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls centers on the aspirations of a '60s group not unlike Diana Ross and the Supremes. The Dreamettes – poised, pretty Deena (Beyoncé Knowles), sweet Lorell (Anika Noni Rose) and talented but brash Effie (Jennifer Hudson) – are led to stardom and strife when discovered by ambitious car salesman-cum-music manager Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx).

GOTTA DANCE, GOTTA SING: Dreamgirls received eight Oscar nominations and won the 2006 Golden Globe for best picture (musical or comedy), accolades largely earned by the efforts of the ferociously talented cast. Eddie Murphy channels his comedic strengths into an electric, layered portrayal of R&B singer James "Thunder" Early, an amalgam of James Brown, Little Richard and Marvin Gaye. And the bombastic performance of Ms. Hudson, who won the Oscar for best supporting actress for this breakthrough role and whose rendition of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" elicited cheers in the movie theater, translates seamlessly to the small screen.

BEST EXTRA: The two-disc DVD version includes a documentary called "Building the Dream," which includes screen-test clips and insights into the film's recording sessions and choreography.

BOTTOM LINE: The character and plot development may stretch a bit thin at times, but the flawlessly staged musical numbers and the cast's charisma are undeniably dreamy.

Bill Addison