1.4 Hamilton

Hamilton's rise to stardom and popularity amongst and on Broadway was unprecedented, with the eyes of the world focused yet again on such a huge moment in America's history and the men who led not only a revolution but a Country from Poverty to Prosperity.

By the time Lin-Manuel Miranda had read a copy of the 2004 biography of Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, he was already a well known name of Broadway for being the writer, actor and producer who revived the smashed hit "In the Heights". Which was eventually nominated for 13 Tony Awards, winning four for best musical and original score. As it was during this exact time, after first reading Ron Chernow's Biography, that Miranda started to envisage the life of Hamilton as a musical and the endless possibilities of combining his love and talents for musical Broadway as well as giving audiences the opportunity to learn and better understand such an influential moment in American history.

The project first began as a Titled Mixtape called the "The Hamilton Mixtape" as the Mixtape and subsequent musical now, draws heavily from hip hop, R&B, pop, soul and traditional-style show tunes. With Miranda quoting and describing Hamilton as "America then, as told by America now." With the show and musical pushing and challenging the boundaries as it casts non-white actors as the Founding Fathers and other historical figures. With this being revolutionary on Broadway when compared to anything else that existed at the time. With the Musical first premiering Off-Broadway on February 15th 2015, where its several-month engagement was sold out. With it eventually transferring to the Richard Rogers Theatre on Broadway as it opened once again on August 6th 2015. It received uniformly positive reviews and high box office sales, with it relatively being word of mouth and people expressing there experience of show which gave it such a universal popularity and demand.

However there are only a maximum number of seats in theatres and therefore opportunities for people to experience the phenomenon live. Until Disney Plus started streaming and acquired the film Version of the Broadway production for $75 Million, releasing it in 2020 during the pandemic making the once restricted musical universally available and easier to watch. With Lin-Manuel Miranda quoting the difficulty at understanding how after the release of the film version more people would of viewed and seen it in the first few days compared to the on Broadway, theatre musical production. The Film received, like the musical, critical acclaim for its visuals, music, performances and direction. With it topics and ideologies more relevant during its release than ever before. During a time when in 2020, America was not only in a pandemic but also seeing a revolution of its own like portrayed in the musical, as the topics and issues of racism and systemic hate crime were at the fore front during the Black Lives Matter (BLM) Protests. Meanwhile as the Film version of Hamilton sored in popularity it eventually became one of the most-streamed films of 2020.

What Hamilton manages to do within the film version is perfectly capture the essence, energy and power of the orginal, theatrical performance with it beautifully showing how much Hamilton can shine beyond Broadway. With Director, Thomas Kail, brilliantly capturing the stage show's infectious energy and lure. With it being a huge opportunity for people universally to witness such a revolutionary piece of American theater. It Brilliantly informs audiences about America's history and forthcoming founding, whilst particularly shining a spotlight on the tumultuous life and tragic death of the unsung founding father Alexander Hamilton. However although its titled as a film on Disney Plus, the 2016 film is simply just a recording of the stage and theatre performance by the Orginal Broadway Cast. With this being no minor distinction, whilst however it doesn't take the shine or affect in any way from the amazing performances including in particular Miranda who plays Hamilton the scrappy, orphaned immigrant who rose to power in a newborn United States as he's mocking, mirthful and spectacular. Thanks to his undying determination, ferocious intelligence and blind ambition it brings the theoretical performance to life. Whilst personally its Leslie Odom Jr's stella and powerful performance that truly steals the show as he's perceived as the self-proclaimed villain, refusing to let us truly loathe Burr as he acts as the pieces narrator, treating the role as the ringmaster to a free ring circus that is the US's dramatic origins. Whilst other, accompanying cast members such as Daveed Diggs' exuberant duel casting performance of both Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson is just as infectious and adoring as his smile, during his force of nature portrayal as he fires rapid fire Rap lyrics with deadly conviction. With its lighting and choreography truly establishing the art form at the centre of Hamilton's production as it never ceases to not meet, inspire or match the tone or atmosphere of the number.

However there are certain moments which feel kinda certainly distant and separated from the performance itself, as some elements of its staging are marred by its clunky cinematography. Although the expert score and singing is expertly captured and recorded, it can feel at times as if the cameras are somewhat and slightly nervous to intrude into the action and performances on stage, with some shots feeling slightly misplaced, as powerful performances and numbers feel more restricted and distant than they need to be. With many being shot in profile and forward facing meaning and resulting in half the actors expression being lost and ignored at the back half of the stage. As audiences are left wanting and slightly inclined to ask for more close up and tracking shots, to better allow us to become more involved and intoxicated within the drama. As we're more aware that films can often do and offer this. With it clear that this is performed to a live audience before them whilst in packed Auditorium, where its easier to get away with more restricted framing. Rather than to just the one who'd watch it later on, which might create a quite jarring and distance feeling for some home viewers.

IMO - Even though it can said that Disney Plus's Hamilton may be the definitive recording of the original cast, its offering sure has a slight obstructed view. As if its full potential hasn't yet been seen with people eager to see it return to theatres to receive the full experience. With the Stage Musical rightly earning its plaudits and acclaim for years, whatever cast steps into the shoes this original company created and founded. As the lyrics, composition and performances make us addicted and only add to our excitement at the possibility and opportunity of being able to watch Hamilton in our own homes. With this overall being an extraordinary gift to Hamill fans or people who are dying and wishing to see the stage production and go back to Broadway. A lot of stage recordings, previously of hit musicals in particular, can often feel flat and be quite off the mark when compared to the orginal, however this is something Hamilton manages to avoid whether that's because of the pure excitement and energy that has been pre-established or that the songs and lyrics have already in there own mind become classics is unknown. Whilst the Cinematography at times does feel slightly restricted and trapped as if there's a slight confusion between what Hamilton (2020 film) is trying to be and the experience its trying to give its audiences. Personally the use of close ups and tracking shots is nice and well received, however once you've seen one, your constantly wanting and asking for more as we're left asking why some shots and musical numbers don't take advantage of such a technique to add to the suspense and overall drive and tone of certain pieces and musical numbers . With some viewers possibly feeling that a whole profile, wide shot framing of the musical might of been better suiting and more accurate to the stage production. In conclusion its clear that even though a smaller group of people are likely to watch this together, its clear that it was filmed and initially intended for a live theatre audience instead leaving the at home audience feeling slightly ignored and disjointed. With there personally being a lot of possibly missed opportunities where Hamilton could of taken advantage of it be shot for film such as adding uniquely, spectacular scenes, shots and angles that give us new perspective and closer more personal experience during some of the best and explosive numbers of the show. With there being a slight suggestion that we're missing something by not being there and seeing it in person. However I'm sure this film has given a lot of people the opportunity to experience the once talked about show and making it more accessible to everyone and its fans in particular can never be seen as failure or wrong thing to do. It has me, like I'm sure many others are earning, to see the smash hit live, whether that's in London or on Broadway itself, which I'm sure will give the returning arts industry and theatres a much needed helping hand since the pandemic. 4/5 Stars