Hamilton – An Intimate and Highly-Entertaining Showcase

Ever since its debut back in 2015, the musical Hamilton continues to have an impact on society, winning plenty of awards and earning acclaim from countless critics and attendees alike. Meanwhile, the production would also make stars out of its very talented cast, perhaps none bigger than Lin-Manuel Miranda whose career has grown leaps and bounds and deservedly so. Its popularity remains to this day despite the original cast moving on for the most part, so much so that tickets continue to be a hot commodity and too pricey for most to view in person. Luckily for the rest of us, we finally get to see what the fuss is all about thanks to this filmed version of a 2016 performance from the original Broadway production of Hamilton now available on Disney+ for our streaming pleasure. Of course, there won’t be anything that could replicate the theatre experience but the experience here definitely comes close by creating a level of intimacy that is sure to pull viewers in.

For the few still unfamiliar with the story, Hamilton tells the roller coaster story of one of America’s founding fathers, an American statesman, politician, legal scholar, military commander, lawyer, banker, and economist named Alexander Hamilton (Miranda), from his humble beginnings as a young, immigrant self-starter to the moment he fell at the hands of Aaron Burr (Odom Jr.). The running time may be on the long side, clocking in at nearly 3 hours, but it is a Broadway musical after all. However, it certainly won’t feel that way while watching. Though the musical may be a history lesson (it may take some liberties) which could be daunting for some in and of itself, what ultimately makes it work was the unique and modern perspective in which the story was told (giving birth to plenty of satisfying moments). Shining a new light on history is sure to make it more accessible. On the other side, it also manages to shine a light on the climate of today (or at least the more hopeful time that was 2016).

Perhaps the biggest thing that Hamilton is known for is its soundtrack, leaning heavily towards R&B and hip hop. Meanwhile, many of its great songs and the elaborate musical numbers that accompanied them are also sure to hang around with viewers long after the final curtain call. Though the production value was undoubtedly there, the story that connected them together was just as strong thanks to the dynamic characters we meet along the way. The writing was smart in that each had their own theme for which the story weaved in and out of in a compelling way that helped to keep up with it. Not only is it uplifting to watch, viewers will be taken on a journey featuring hilarious humor and tense drama throughout. In the end, while it arguably may get overwhelming for some with so much happening on a small stage, at least it was never dull.

If there is one reason to watch Hamilton, it is to see the collection of talent on display. At this point, Miranda’s talent goes without saying. The writing and the songs speak for themselves, however, his charisma and screen presence as Hamilton brings it home. The demands of a musical like this one won’t be for be everyone but the rest of the cast was definitely up to the task. They all brought their own energy and personality to the proceedings, each providing memorable turns while singing and rapping away before our very eyes. Meanwhile, compared to what Miranda achieves as Hamilton, Odom Jr. as Burr comes close, bringing that same dynamic presence in a role that afforded nearly as much stage time.

At the end of the day, Hamilton lets viewers be in the room where it happens so it would be unwise to give away this shot.

still courtesy of Disney

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.