Plot: An unforgettable cinematic stage performance, the filmed version of the original Broadway production of “Hamilton” combines the best elements of live theater, film, and streaming to bring the cultural phenomenon to homes around the world for a thrilling, once-in-a-lifetime experience. “Hamilton” is the story of America then, told by America now.
Review: To call HAMILTON a cultural phenomenon seems a bit of an over-simplification. Debuting on Broadway in 2016, Lin-Manuel Miranda's historical stage show became one of the biggest musicals of all time and sold out entire runs for years in various cities around the globe. A blend of hip-hop coupled with a diverse cast of performers, HAMILTON brought a lesser-known chapter of American history to a new generation and kicked the career of Miranda and his cast, including Daveed Diggs, to another level. Originally slated to hit theaters in 2021 after paying $75 million for the rights to this filmed version of the stage production, Disney decided in light of the coronavirus restrictions around the globe to debut the film on their streaming platform just in time for Independence Day. While many stage musicals have had proper cinematic adaptations over the years, this production affords the viewer the chance to experience the original show from the comfort of their own homes. But, is it any good?
If you have never watched a filmed version of a stage production, HAMILTON may seem underwhelming compared to a true feature film. The physical experience of a live musical is similar to attending a concert where the proximity to the performers and the intricacy of live singing and choreography imbues the audience with an energy that is often lost when seen from your TV screen. In the case of HAMILTON, the energy of the cast comes through along with a sound quality that rivals even the audio of the soundtrack released several years ago. Having been intrigued by the buzz around this musical, I listened to the soundtrack and instantly liked the music and the story being told. It didn't feel like a stale collection of show tunes but instead took the expected style of a Broadway show and injected it with some modern energy. Having watched the PBS documentary and seen clips of HAMILTON online, I always regretted not seeing the show on stage but thanks to Disney+ I finally got that chance.
What is lacking here is the depth of the production values which feel a bit two-dimensional on screen. Clocking in at two hours and forty minutes, HAMILTON will please die-hard fans but may leave those unfamiliar with the musical a bit confused as to what the fuss is all about. Honestly, if you are a fan of music you will be impressed by these songs even if the film itself doesn't add much. But, does it need to?
The anachronistic nature of HAMILTON is also part of the charm that made this musical such a success. With a cast comprised almost entirely of non-Caucasian performers performing musical numbers with rapid-fire delivery over pulsating beats, this is not your parents' musical. HAMILTON is not the first musical to feature hip-hop as a soundtrack but like rock musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, it takes a look at a chapter in American history through a lens that will make it more palatable for younger and more diverse audiences. In short, if you don't consider yourself a "musical person", HAMILTON is a contender to change your mind. Directed by Thomas Kail, who helmed the stage production, HAMILTON visually doesn't bring anything unique or cinematic but does capture multiple angles of the stage which gives the home viewer the best seat in the house. Comprised of sequences filmed during three different performances of the show, HAMILTON gives us the best possible combination of song and dance execution.
As a sung-through musical, you have to admire these performers and their ability to stay the course of the almost three-hour running time (Disney+ retains a ten-minute intermission between acts). There is also the chance to see the original cast including Miranda, Diggs, Phillipa Soo, Leslie Odom Jr, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Anthony Ramos, Jasmine Cephas Jones, and Jonathan Groff. As musicals go, HAMILTON has a nice mix of drama and humor, taking itself seriously enough to ensure audiences appreciate the gravity of this chapter in history. Lin-Manuel Miranda's talents as a writer and composer prove that the acclaim bestowed upon him for this is not unwarranted with kudos especially worthwhile for the cast who deliver Miranda's lyrics with ample energy and fervor.
You may question whether Disney+ is the logical home for a film version of HAMILTON as this musical does have some fairly mature subject matter with sexual references and a fair amount of profanity. Granted, there is nothing worse than the language in most Marvel Studios offerings, but Lin-Manuel Miranda voluntarily censored two f-bombs to garner a PG-13 rating (the MPAA allows a maximum of one "fuck" before earning an R-rating). HAMILTON is not only the sole film on Disney+ but the first Walt Disney Pictures release to use that word. It does widen the audience to see the musical that otherwise would have cost them hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars per ticket which likely lets Disney honcho Bob Iger sleep easier at night knowing he isn't besmirching Walt's legacy.
HAMILTON is not quite a feature film in the traditional sense so it may be unfair to review it as such. If you were to compare it to some of the great concert films ever made like STOP MAKING SENSE, THE LAST WALTZ, or even DAVE CHAPPELLE'S BLOCK PARTY, HAMILTON lacks some of the intensity and immediacy of those one time show. But, it does capture a perfect cast at the peak of mastering their roles along with live audiences responding to every high note or biting lyric. HAMILTON as a movie does its job in capturing a singular creation that modernizes a chapter of American history that is eerily representative of where the United States finds itself today: a melting pot on the verge of revolution. That makes HAMILTON the perfect viewing opportunity for all audiences this Fourth of July. HAMILTON may not be as dynamic of an experience on the small screen as it could have been, but it is still one hell of an entertaining one.
Hamilton premieres July 3rd on Disney+.