As someone who watched the Les Miserables 10th anniversary concert on YouTube over a dozen times over the last few years, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. It wasn't without its problems though, IMO.
Sort-of spoilers:
Pros:
- Anne Hathaway as Fantine, especially "I Dreamed a Dream" (made me cry...)
- Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean (in general just a great performance acting-wise and a very good performance singing-wise)
- "Master of the House" - Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter were hilarious
- The ABC Cafe Students songs (my personal favorites from the musical), including "Red and Black", "Do You Hear the People Sing?", and "Drink With Me", were done very well
- Eddie Redmayne as Marius. I usually find Marius incredibly boring, but I was pleasantly surprised to really enjoy his performance. "Empty Chairs At Empty Tables" was amazing.
- Samantha Barks as Eponine. One of the most tragic characters in the musical IMO, and she really captured the right emotions in the film, and her singing was simultaneously beautiful and depressing (as it should be!)
- The last scene (SPOILERS - Valjean's death). Had me balling my eyes out at the end despite my knowing the ending.
Cons:
- Russell Crowe as Javert. Acting-wise he was okay, but I couldn't stand his singing voice. It was monotone the whole time.
- Cosette is still an incredibly bland character
- Barricade battle scenes were kind of underwhelming
- Related to the first one, but "Stars" (SPOILERS - Javert's suicide) was...boring. It shouldn't be boring.
So yeah. There's my two cents.