Movie Review: Hamilton

PLOT:

Divided in two acts, the musical depicts the life and career of Alexander Hamilton, an orphaned immigrant from the Caribbean island of Nevis. The first act covers Hamilton’s arrival in New York City in 1776, his work as an aide-de-camp to General George Washington during the American Revolution, and how he met and married Eliza Schuyler. The second act covers Hamilton’s postwar work as the first Secretary of the Treasury of the United States, his affair with Maria Reynolds, the death of his son Philip and finally his own death in a duel with Aaron Burr.

REVIEW:

What did I like?

History with a twist. Like most people, I learned the about the founding fathers in History class. I remember getting the basics on Alexander Hamilton and his legacy, but if you were to quiz me on that info, all I could tell you is that he is on the $10 bill. Now, had I seen this back in the day, I’m sure I’d have much more of a recollection of the life and times of Hamilton.I don’t know if that is what Lin-Manuel Miranda had in mind when he put this show together, but I’m sure alot more people are familiar with Hamilton now.

So much talent. This is the original Broadway cast of the show. I think I read that there are one or two roles that are different, but for the most part, these are the actors that brought the show to prominence (and won a Tony). Like most Broadway casts, these actors can sing and dance, as well as act. However, it isn’t a traditional requirement to rap, and yet, here they are spitting rhymes better (and more understandable) than the rapper you hear on the radio today! I was highly impressed watching them do this.

Innovation. If you’ve ever seen a play and/or musical, then you are aware that sets change with the settings. There isn’t one of those in this production. Everything takes place on one stage. There is a platform that spins in the middle of the floor, but that’s mostly for dramatic effect. Aside from being a hip-hop musical featuring an almost entirely minority cast, points must be given to how death is foreshadowed. Not to spoil anything, but there is a character who secretly appears when death is near. I was just told about her right before I sat down to write this and now I’m going to have to go back and see if I can catch her in the act.

What didn’t I like?

Length. This version is just shy of 3 hrs (there is a short intermission, though). For a stage production, that isn’t too bad, but there was talk about making this into a movie. Given all that is going on right now, I don’t know if this was released as a snack and the movie is still coming, or if this is in lieu of a feature length film. At any rate, if this is going to (what will pass for) the big screen in the future, then they need to cut it down by at least 15-30 minutes. The general audience will lose interest with something this long.

Sam Madison. Alexander Hamilton. George Washington. Thomas Jefferson. Aaron Burr. These were great men and are portrayed as such in the film. However, Sam Madison is left out. Wait, let me word that better. He is in the film, but mostly as a conspirator/instigator. If not mentioned by name, you wouldn’t even know he was as important an individual as Sam Madison.

Musical or opera? This is a minor complaint I have with the production, and it has more to do with semantics that anything else. For me, a musical is a play with songs here and there. This production is entirely sung (or rapped) which, by definition, fits more in line with opera. I’m not going to sit here and debate what this is, but I do wonder what this would have been like with a few words spoken, rather than almost entirely sung. Food for thought.

Final verdict:

There has been much hype surrounding Hamilton. Did this production live up to the press? Almost…almost. Don’t get me wrong. This a great production. Most of the songs I enjoyed. There are some truly emotional performances from the cast, as well. I am not buying into the hype simply because I’m not still singing the songs in my head or remembering anything about the main character (Jefferson and Washington were the stand outs for me). That’s my personal bias, though. I do still highly recommend this. If you have Disney+, carve out a 3 hr window and enjoy an evening at the theater with this production.

4 out of 5 stars

Movie Review: Frozen II

PLOT:

Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land with hopes of finding the origin of Elsa’s powers and saving their kingdom.

REVIEW:

What did I like?

Welcome back. In 2013, we were introduced to this world, these characters, and the unforgettable earworm that is “Let it Go” (I bet some of you just got it out of you head and now it’s back, right?) Having grown to love these characters in the original Frozen, as well as followed their conflict and enjoy a true fairytale in the old, traditional Disney style of storytelling, it is good to see them again, much like visiting an old friend you haven’t seen in years. Many things are the same, but you’re really interested in seeing what’s changed, what’s new, etc. The filmmakers knew this is what audiences wanted and gave us exactly that.

Let’s rock! Much like the first film, the music in this film isn’t so much a character in its own right, like in many musicals, but rather it helps drive the story along. We get exposition and character development in these songs that we either would have missed without a musical interlude or it would have been a segment that more than likely would have bored audiences with how long and unnecessarily drawn out it would have been. While there is no “Let it Go” this time around (more on that later), two songs really stuck out to me. “Into the Unknown”, which is sung by Elsa as she is deciding whether or not to leave Arendelle and “Lost in the Woods”. The latter is an obvious love letter to 80s power ballads. The scene in which Kristoff is singing it has some typical music video visuals. Look it up on Youtube or find it on whatever music service you use and enjoy.

Frozone. A big question many of us had following the first film was where did Elsa’s ice powers come from? From what we were able to tell from the quick glimpses we got of the parents, neither of them had powers and neither did Anna. To use a term from the Harry Potter universe, she was muggle born. There have been memes, jokes, etc saying everything from she’s a mutant and belong with the X-Men to her powers are a family curse. Not to spoil what the true nature is, but there is a reason she has control over ice. The explanation may not be as fulfilling or definite as one would have liked, but we do get an answer.

What didn’t I like?

It was let go. As I mentioned earlier, there is no “Let it Go” in this film. For some, that is a good thing, as that song rivaled “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic as one that would never go away. What I don’t dog about not having a song like that this time around, though it isn’t for lack of trying, is that “Let It Go” was pretty much the identity of the franchise. With none of these new songs living up to that legacy, if you will, one has to wonder what is there to bring people in to this film, other than the name?

Kristof, we hardly knew ye. There is a point in this film where Anna, Elsa, and Olaf leave on the quest, while Kristof (and Sven) are off doing something out in the woods. For a good portion of the film, Kristof is not a part of this movie. I get it, this is supposed to be about Anna and Elsa, but leaving Kristof out just didn’t feel right.

Snowball/Hurry home, princess. We’ve all seen movies, tv shows, etc where the funny sidekick is suddenly given more screen time and then becomes annoying. Olaf is on the border with that. They don’t use him too much, actually, but the fact that he is still pretty much the same annoying/funny sidekick from the first film is what I wasn’t digging on. His saving grace was the way he summed up the first film (al C-3PO in Return of the Jedi). As far as the princesses go. The first film was a straight up fairytale. This one, not so much. As with seemingly every other story of its ilk that comes out these days, female protagonists suddenly become action stars. My issue with this is the sudden onset of these skills. If there was proper development, I’d be more on board, perhaps, but as it is, maybe they, or at least Anna, should just stick to being a traditional princess.

Final verdict:

Looking at the box office for sequels in the last couple of years, there is obviously a case of sequelitis hitting audiences, even in the case of those that people are enjoying. I won’t lie to you and say that Frozen II is anywhere near as good as the original, but it does have its moments. Not only are there magical and musical moments that will hit you, but the story is perhaps a bit stronger and the action scenes add a new element that was unexpected. With all that said, while I like the film, I wasn’t in love with it. I didn’t come out of the theater saying I have to see it again or singing any of the songs, nor did I come out of there demanding my money back, so there is that. Do i recommend this? Yes, if you have little girls, they are going to dig this. Disney fans and those that were into the first film are also sure to enjoy. As far as everyone else, you might be better waiting for it to show on Disney+ or the inevitable day that they begin to show it ad nauseum on Disney channel, Freeform, etc.

4 out of 5 stars