Hamilton: A Broadway Icon Hits the Big Screen

Places, Please!

Do your warm-ups and claim your seat, because one of the biggest names in Broadway has hit cinemas across the country! Hamilton is based on Ron Chernow’s novel, Alexander Hamilton, which was later adapted into the classic hip-hop musical most associated with the name. First premiering in 2015, the musical became an overnight phenomenon, launching its cast and creator Lin-Manuel Miranda into superstardom. Even now, performances continue to sell out on Broadway as the show enters its ten-year anniversary. 

Eventually, Hamilton would find its way to an even wider audience through its release in movie theaters over the fall. However, there are many aspects about the film version which help differentiate it from other features playing right now. 

For one, rather than serve as a direct adaptation of the musical with an all-new cast, this is actually a live stage recording of a 2016 Broadway performance. As such, it provides more of an authentic feel as audiences are drawn into onstage actions as they play out in real time. Additionally, this recording was technically released on streaming service Disney+ back in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, despite initial plans for a theatrical release. Now, five years later, those theatrical goals finally paid off, as the film was released in movie theaters nationwide, sporting positive reviews and grossing $10 million in its first weekend. 

Up until this point, my only exposure to Hamilton had been through the Disney+ recording, which I watched during its original premiere. I fell in love with the musical due to its combination of historical storytelling with modernized hip-hop music, which I found myself replaying quite frequently after I watched it. Though I have never been to a Broadway show before, I was enthralled by the filmed version as I felt like I was right there with the rest of the cast and audience. 

As such, I was excited to hear the news of Hamilton’s theatrical arrival, as I wondered how the experience would differ in a dark theater with a big screen, compared to watching on my laptop in a fully-lit bedroom. Eagerly, I travelled to the local Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Mansfield on Monday, Sept. 8, and booked a ticket for the musical. As the cast took their final bows and the credits began to roll, I was left with only one question: did this show leave a greater impact on the silver screen, or was it better off canceling before it hit the stage?

Curtain Call

Set between 1776 and 1804, Hamilton tells the story of the titular founding father, Alexander Hamilton. The show explores his personal life through varying figures, his friendship and eventual feud with Aaron Burr, relationship with his wife Eliza, and role as the original Secretary of the Treasury, all culminating in the climactic duel between Hamilton and Burr. 

Bringing this story to life is the show’s original Broadway cast including Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo, Daveed Diggs, Anthony Ramos, and Renée Elisa Goldsberry among many others.

I am satisfied to report that I was just as mesmerized watching this show on the silver screen as I was when I first watched it on Disney+ all those years ago. In fact, the grander screen and blasting speakers amplified the experience to turn this musical recording into something special. 

Right when the film begins, there is a 10-year reunion feature with the show’s cast, as they delve into its history and the impact it left on them as it launched into super-stardom. At the end of that feature, Miranda expressed the importance of theatrical arts and how they can bring people together, even if they’re just sitting in a dark room ready to be captivated by the story. As a whole, this serves as a pleasant bonus for ticketgoers as it provides a new layer to understanding the show’s full impact, while also having some powerful dialogue courtesy of the cast interviews.

Once the actual show started, I found myself falling in love with it all over again. This can largely be attributed to the plot, which stands out in its own unique way. Hamilton serves an overall purpose of teaching audiences about real-life events while providing a catchy soundtrack to keep them entertained. The overall sequencing of the plot was episodic, told over an elongated period of time at a fitting pace. It moved quickly between its non-stop musical numbers, but not so fast to where I could not understand what was going on. If anything, the pacing helped keep the movie engaging as it adds a unique spin on a typical historical story. As a result, the plot sports a unique structure which entices viewers in the onscreen events through engaging hip-hop songwriting, creative lyrics and powerful dialogue. 

These aspects are delivered expertly by the show’s many characters, who are all portrayed engagingly. Despite the massive ensemble, each character gets their own chance to shine in their interactions and musical moments. On top of that, they are all well developed –  particularly Hamilton and Burr – with terrific arcs which accompany each character’s growth and pay off in their own unique ways.

Bringing these historical icons to life is a cast who is nothing short of spectacular. Whether it be selling moments of emotional drama or becoming one with the environment through the expert choreography, the cast do a terrific job at providing a unique flair and energy to each character. However, the standout performance for me was Miranda as Hamilton, who not only sports the best arc of the movie, but also sees a great personality shift throughout the runtime. When he first introduces himself to Burr early in the show, Hamilton appears a bit timid and shy in his vocal delivery. But as the story progresses, his confidence grows as he battles through wars alongside George Washington and begins his career in office. 

The Room Where It Happens

The show does a fantastic job at getting audiences engaged in its writing, whether it be through the dialogue, character arcs, or lyrics. However, another aspect which kept my eyes and ears glued to the screen was the way it tackled its themes. There are many interesting concepts explored throughout the runtime including love, betrayal, and the struggles of maintaining a common democracy. Combined with the unique musical aspects in the score and soundtrack, the movie develops these themes thoroughly, ultimately helping the writing to feel more genuine. 

The dialogue and overall language of the show further elevate it into something special, as it ties in with the unique structure while still being impactful. It finds the right balance between historical accuracy and a modern flair, being easy to understand while remaining topical. The diction is mainly composed of song lyrics which explore historical events in the style of hip-hop music. Resultantly, it feels simultaneously modernized and grounded, furthering the show’s overall engagement factor as it provides a unique spin on a historical setting. 

In addition, the cast do a fantastic job at delivering the dialogue and captivating audiences. Every performer has a wide vocal range which translates to the way they deliver their lines. For instance, they’ll use softer tones for the more quiet or emotional moments, while more dramatic sequences use a more amplified approach. Examples of the latter can be pinpointed at pivotal plot scenarios such as battle and death scenes. 

All the while, these vocal talents lend themselves magnificently to the soundtrack, with each tune standing out in its melodies, lyrics, and atmosphere. Every song is played brilliantly by the cast, who fantastically sell every word sung. Miranda, Odom Jr., Soo, and Goldsberry get plenty of chances to shine in the musical numbers, whether it be through an energetic ensemble piece like “Alexander Hamilton” or an impactful solo number like “Burn.” These songs can even serve as a gateway for occasional humor, particularly through Jonathan Groff’s portrayal of King George III. 

Groff appears periodically throughout the feature, primarily throughout act two, to provide his own viewpoint on events that have already transpired, while narcissistically boasting about his power. Songs like “You’ll Be Back” and “What Comes Next?” greatly establish the king’s wrath, while also providing a few lighthearted moments in the grand scheme of the story. Through his delivery and occasional audience interaction, Groff provides a humorous performance which stands out from the other cast members, hamming up the role of an egocentric ruler into something much more endearing.

Through all of this, the production design, costumes, and other technical aspects of the show provide a great sense of spectacle. Despite being restricted to a proscenium stage space, the show finds creative ways to explore differing locations – including Hamilton’s office, the battlegrounds of the American Revolution, and the streets of New York. The cast interacts with the environment expertly, helping audiences to feel as though they are actually exploring these locations rather than feeling stuck with one stage backdrop. Mixed with the creative lighting, time-relevant costumes, and beautiful set design, the spectacle reigns supreme in bringing viewers into the world of the early American way.

The Final Bow

When the show reaches its conclusive act, it brings out the best of its drama and emotional core, providing a profound and impactful finale which has stuck with me to this day. This primarily comes from the development of various conflicts, including the publishing of the Reynolds Pamphlet, difficulties in Hamilton’s marriage, and the election between Burr and Thomas Jefferson. However, the most impactful one is the relationship between Burr and Hamilton, which reaches an unforgettable crescendo towards the conclusion of the show. 

Without spoiling too much about the main story, I will say that the most intense scenario involving the two comes from their duel, not only in how the music is utilized and the dialogue is delivered, but also in the heartbreaking context of what was set up at earlier points in the story. Watching Hamilton and Burr’s friendship go from brotherhood to betrayal adds an additional layer of emotional stakes to the story, all culminating in a shocking finale. 

In addition, many of the actors get to let their dramatic chops shine during this third act, with Soo particularly standing out as Hamilton’s wife, Eliza. She experiences many horrifying events throughout the course of the second half, but makes every one of them feel real through her body language and emotional delivery, whether through songs like “It’s Quiet Uptown” or her final lines which wrap up the entire show. Her performance, along with the increased stakes and constantly-developing conflicts, make for an unforgettable third act which thoroughly develops the story while not being afraid to tug at the heartstrings.

A Theatrical Treat

Overall, through its terrific production design, stupendous choreography, fantastic performances, unique exploration of its themes, and emotional third act, Hamilton proves just as powerful a musical on the big screen as it was on Disney+. In fact, the experience is arguably amplified due to the change in setting. Due to the grand screen and speakers blasting the magical music, viewers can be transported into the show’s world while bonding with each other over the shared experience.

If you’re a fan of history-focused projects, musicals, or theatre as an artform, this production is a must-watch. Hamilton is currently playing in theaters across the country–inlcuding the nearby Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Mansfield–as well as streaming on Disney+. Other live productions of the show can be caught on Broadway throughout the year, albeit without the original Broadway cast. That said, if you want a convenient way to catch one of theatre’s most iconic shows, this is the perfect way to satisfy your needs.

It may have taken a long journey for this show to finally hit the big screen, but the efforts paid off, fulfilling its ultimate goal of not throwing away its shot. 

My Rating