"Rent" was widely expected to do well at theaters and to be a contender come Oscar time. Unfortunately, no one took into account that the story, setting and songs were all helplessly out-of-date.

"Rent" is the perfect example as to why so many people still don't like musicals, despite the broad appeal of such films as "Chicago" and "Moulin Rouge." "Rent" is as bland as they come, with no creativity whatsoever. Part of this can be blamed on director Chris Columbus, and many have blamed him, but for the most part the problem lies in the fact that this kind of musical is out-of-date. It is no longer edgy, and its songs are certainly no longer up to standards. Who cares about a bunch of poor losers in some rundown building who spend their time singing instead of talking?

Aside from the opening song, the rest of the songs no longer stand up in the modern age. That hurts when - you guessed it - the movie is a musical.

And strangely enough, the most interesting parts of the story (the last twenty minutes) are told as one big montage, while the first two hours focus on just a few days of lameness around Christmas time.

"Rent" was a complete waste of my time.

Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.