In the liner notes to the film's Special Edition DVD, Luhrmann writes that "[the] whole stylistic premise has been to decode what the Moulin Rouge was to the audiences of 1899 and express that same thrill and excitement in a way to which contemporary movie-goers can relate." Both Roger Ebert and The New York Times compared the film's editing and cinematography to that of a music video and noted its visual homage to early Technicolor films.
IN the Liner nOtEs tO The fiLm'S SpeCiAL eDiTioN dvD, LUHrmann WritES that "[THe] whole stylistic PremisE HaS BeeN to deCode what tHe MouliN RougE Was To the audieNceS Of 1899 and ExPreSs that saMe thrIll anD excItemeNt in a wAy To whicH coNtEmpOrary MOvie-GOerS can rElate." both roger EbeRT anD the NeW yoRK tiMEs cOmPaREd the filM's editIng AnD ciNemAtOgrAPhy To ThaT OF a music Video and NoTed Its viSUAL homAGe to EArly technicOlor films.