Summary:
A live recording of the hit musical that tells the story of United States founding father Alexander Hamilton, his rise and fall, his long rivalry with Aaron Burr, and his difficult relationship with his wife Eliza Schuyler.
Director:
Thomas Kail
Writers:
book by Lin-Manuel Miranda
music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda
based on the book Alexander Hamilton Ron Chernow
Cast:
Lin-Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton
Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr
Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton
Daveed Diggs as Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson
Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler
Jonathan Groff as King George III
Christopher Jackson as George Washington
Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds
Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan and James Madison
Anthony Ramos as John Laurens and Philip Hamilton
Sydney James Harcourt as Philip Schuyler, James Reynolds, Doctor and Ensemble
Thayne Jasperson as Samuel Seabury and Ensemble
Jon Rua as Charles Lee and Ensemble
Ephraim Sykes as George Eacker and Ensemble
Carleigh Bettiol as Ensemble
Ariana DeBose as Ensemble
Hope Easterbrook as Ensemble
Sasha Hutchings as Ensemble
Elizabeth Judd as Ensemble
Austin Smith as Ensemble
Seth Stewart as Ensemble
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Metacritic: 91/100
After Credits Scene? No
VOD: Disney+
I can't believe the original Chapo sub didn't last long enough to discuss the masterpiece known as Hamilton
It was a good musical, entertaining, good music, great choreography, and a good sad (albeit entirely fictional) story. Some shit was cringe, I agree, but in isolation it was a good musical
I was pretty bored by the 2nd half, the songs were okay when they weren't rapping, and the cinematography was way too close up half the time.
My favorite song was "Helpless" which is a dumb catchy pop song that has nothing to do with anything the musical is supposed to be about lol
Overall review is 4/10
Yeah the second half is definitely more boring, and the cinematography was awful, I hated it too. I like the story of his marriage and son, but I can understand not liking it. Helpless is a pretty solid ballad, I like Dear Theodosia for similar reasons. They're all really talented singers, shitty rappers, except for Lin, who is good at neither. If he didn't insist on casting himself as the lead I think it would have been much better, my friends who saw the touring show much prefer the actor that they used.
The most historically accurate picture of our founding fathers and their epic rap battles yet put on screen!
The Rapping Fathers (7/10)
Separating it from the far more interesting (and almost as outrageous) story that is Lin Manuel Miranda and of course the (very outrageous) historical context both past and present... it was ok.
As kijib points out, it starts dragging once we get past Washington's victory, there's some good songs among the mostly corny hip-hop (depends on what you like, I like musicals so You'll Be Back and Farmer Refuted worked better for me as they were closer to your usual musical fare and it felt like Lin had a better handle on them, even more so Farmer Refuted since I find it hilarious that it can be used for the current moment, something that Mr.Miranda probably feels awkward about), Lin Manuel Miranda (like everything Lin does) is the weakest part of the show, it is an art crime that Daveed Diggs and Christopher Jackson had to do this shit to finally get broad recognition, I found the use of that wheel(?) to rotate the characters on the show nice.
In closing: As someone who would like to do more edutainment (and loves history) and see how to move it from the space it usually occupies as failing in both entertainment and education, it was very educational to watch Hamilton. It's just the lessons were often more what NOT to do than what to do.
Oh wait no, also, the founding fathers were bad and Lin Manuel is a vendepatrias hack, thanks.
Daveed Diggs and Christopher Jackson absolutely stole the show (alongside Leslie Odom Jr.)
It's a shame Thomas Jefferson was such an asshole in reality, because damn if I can't recite What'd I Miss by heart. I will thank Lin Manuel if only for being the reason I discovered clipping. though. Imagine me listening to Splendor & Misery for the first time and realizing how under-appreciated Diggs is.
Daveed Diggs and Christopher Jackson absolutely stole the show (alongside Leslie Odom Jr.)
Agreed!
I will thank Lin Manuel if only for being the reason I discovered clipping. though. Imagine me listening to Splendor & Misery for the first time and realizing how under-appreciated Diggs is.
Oh my god, just listening right now. Fuck Lin Manuel, I will thank you instead. God, why (tho I can guess) did Diggs had to put up with this shit for so long...
ALSO Your Obedient Servant is worth a listen/watch, if only because people must know that old-timey enlightened people were very extra.
This show is what got me into musical theater way back in 2015. My feelings towards it are complicated but I do still find it impressive as a work of art.
