Sia: Chandelier (2014 Music Video) User Reviews

Maddie Ziegler

[RavenGlamDVDCollector · 8/10 · 1 February 2017]

The Next Big Thing is already here!

Maddie Ziegler is a great performer, take one look at her here, and hold thumbs that she stays in this fine shape to be in movies during the next decade. Something along the lines of a swift-moving lightning-quick super-heroine gliding effortlessly through the skies, you know, as superhero movies go.

Lithe little body of a pretty child. But then there is that heavily-stilted wun-two-three, wun-two-three and you think "what gives" and the little person on the screen is Maddie Ziegler, who is Sia? And where is Sia?

Okay, so I found out. And, it is tragic. And I understand. Okay.

But let's face it. The star here is Maddie Ziegler. Anybody can sing a song and have it be successful if an under-aged, seemingly nude, albeit only half-naked, superbly-trained little darling clad in a see-through body-stocking hops and twirls about like a little tempest in her older sister's underthings.

I'm sorry, Sia, but your song is not the thing. Not bad. But I'll come right out and say that it isn't all that good either, and certainly cannot even remotely hold a candle to the youngster who is obviously destined for not only great things, but very, very great things.

Sia's score for the song: say 6. Nymph Maddie's prancing: 10+

Strong performances from everybody involved

[Horst_In_Translation · 10/10 · 4 August 2015]

Now, I rarely adjust ratings and reviews after a rewatch several weeks, months or even years after the original viewing, but for this 4-minute music video, I definitely need to make an exception as it has steadily grown on me over the last 2 years since my original review.

I think it is a beautiful piece of art. The song is incredibly catchy and not just the chorus, but every single line that it is an utter joy to listen to Sia's voice here. And the energy in what we hear fits perfectly together with Maddie Ziegler's dancing. I am shying away from the term "dancing routine" as it all seems so fresh and innovative and spontaneous that even if it was learned and practiced for hours obviously in advance, it never feels that way. I also love her hand movements on one occasion and her changing face expressions. Those may be over the top, but it feeds because she is consciously portraying wearing a mask and hiding her true authentic face expression in a criticism against those millions, probably billions who do so. I also think that audio and video fit so well together makes it not only a deep watch as there is so much under the surface that you will always see something new (and which artist from the music industry can say that about themselves these days?), but it also makes it a truly uplifting number. At least for me. It fills your body with positivity and energy, makes you want to move with the groove. Neither audio nor video would work on their own, at least not to the extent it does when used with each other. While I think, there are some pretty great songs and music videos from the 1980s and 1990s, the 21st century has not exactly been top-notch with regard to that, especially music videos. But this one here is the exception, the one brilliant piece of performance art that makes me curious about the future careers of Sia, but especially Ziegler. Greatness achieved. A must-see for lovers of good music and those who want to become it away from the glaring garb... umm. mediocrity of the likes of Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj, who for whatever wrong reason are dominating the charts these days. Not surprised at all it has crossed the one billion clicks one YT already a long time ago.

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For completion purposes, what follows now is my review from 4 August 2015 that 1 out of 3 people found useful:

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It's fairly difficult to say who was the best: Was it Daniel Askill's direction? Sia's singing? Or maybe Maddie Ziegler's dancing? I may go with the latter I think. She is truly outstanding here and her moves and body language could hardly be any better, especially for a girl her age. Now I am not sure if the wig was totally necessary, but that's just a minor distraction. For a music video, this is very very good. But as we are on IMDb here, a film website, I will have to rate accordingly and in the end it's really just a girl dancing for 4 minutes and there is no real story in here. Nonetheless, the artistry is undeniable in this one. Recommended.

Overplayed!

[injury-65447 · 4/10 · 18 October 2020]

I can't judge this objectively. If I was watching it in a vacuum I would probably be able to appreciate and enjoy it. Unfortunately this song was so overplayed upon release (it was literally everywhere) that it's now almost unbearable to listen to. All of the intended impact is lost and converted into mere annoyance.