Whether or not you will enjoy “Dreamgirls” depends largely on what you expect of it. Judging solely on its previews, it can be surmised that its categorization as a musical is based on the performance aspect of a plot fashioned around the uprising of an African American women’s trio.

One would assume that music is integral in the telling of the tale, but what is also important to realize is that song is used to tell the entire story. Spontaneous song bursting out in the context of a dramatic scene will catch you off-guard if you do not anticipate it. The film’s format is similar to other stage show converts to the big screen, such as “Chicago” and “The Producers,” and thus to fully enjoy it, you must enter the theater as if you had walked down Broadway to get there.

In theater, music is used when simple words and acting cannot fully express the passion and emotion of a certain situation. If you appreciate that fact, “Dreamgirls” will undoubtedly move you. Jennifer Hudson, winner of the Golden Globe for this film for her role as a supporting actress, steals the show with her voice. It is even more impressive to think how Hudson must have felt to prove wrong Simon Cowell, who constantly put down her performance during her stint as a contestant on American Idol, allegedly because of her plus-sized figure.

“My gut feeling is [Hudson] wasn’t the American Idol,” Cowell said. “I don’t think she was the best singer.” The truth is she has an unearthly powerful gospel voice. It is difficult to tell, however, if Hudson would have fared as well in a nonmusical without her pipes to serve as the core of her character.

Another actress cast perhaps only for her vocal talent, and of course her classic beauty, is Beyonc