In the Heights

Up until recently, I was completely unaware that Lin-Manuel Miranda had plays he created (or helped create) before Hamilton (I don't keep up with Broadway much...). 

In the Heights comes from early in his career, before the lightning bolt of "Hamilton" hit him while on a vacation. The film, now many years later, seems to be a semi-updated version but largely still holds the same spirit as the play, I'm guessing. 

Due to scheduling conflicts again, I caught this one with my fiancé on HBO Max as opposed to the theater. We both had a lot of fun with it and it's a perfect summer film, but I also can't help but feel like it lives in the shadows of other movie musicals that I've professed my love for over the years. 

In the Heights doesn't do anything inherently wrong or bad - it's very well made - it just doesn't have that special edge that would make me rewatch it over and over. Citing some examples, Hamilton obviously is epic and the music rocks so (aside from it's runtime) I would definitely seek it out again. The Greatest Showman (aka the musical you can't keep down) has some of the catchiest music I've ever heard in films like this and, not gonna lie, I just flat out love the movie, even if it moves at a breakneck pace. And La La Land is near-perfect all the way around with excellent music, a wonderful story, and a director's vision truly come to life. 

Perhaps those are somewhat unfair examples given the level of talent(s) they all contain, but I don't believe it is because In the Heights has its own fair share of talent. And while I realize this opener makes it feel like I didn't like the film (I really did), I can't help but feel a little disappointed that I can't add it to that list above outside of a strong first-time view. Perhaps my expectations got the better of me. 

I've never seen a bunch of bros this excited to go to the pool

In the Heights tells the story of several very hot days during a summer in Washington Heights, New York City. It's about a lot of people and all their lives - as musicals tend to be - and how their lives intersect with one another. I think the film's biggest strengths are centralized on two things that were both mentioned in those sentences: the location and the cast. I really appreciated how alive this street corner and section of New York City felt and it's clear that In the Heights, with the locale right in the name, wants to make that a character of its own in the film. The streets bustle with people, the architecture feels grand in that New York sort of way, and the people are eclectic and from all different backgrounds. The movie does a really excellent job capturing the spirit of New York and its "melting pot" concept. As it focuses on our characters, you begin to realize just how awesome this cast is. Led by Hamilton-vet, Anthony Ramos as Usnavi, it also includes Manuel Miranda himself, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Jimmy Smits, and many more. If some of those names seem "new" to you, it's likely because they are, and even the newcomers do awesome across the spectrum of vocals, performances, and dancing. Collectively they have great chemistry and energy; all seeming very excited to be on something so special. This energy and passion bleeds out of the screen and makes the film sing from moment to moment.

Where In the Heights is just good, not great, is the story and music. The story itself feels fairly generic, even if its themes are genuine, and I was finding that character moods and choices happen with little-to-no context. There's a certain amount of that that comes with the territory of a musical, but it eventually happens so frequently that my fiancé and I both had to comment on it. Additionally - and likely this will be very subjective - the music, while fantastic, begins to feel a bit "samey" throughout. Some of the songs feature the Miranda-signature rap-singing and most others have some Latin and Central American flair. It's all quite good, but these aren't songs that will have the long lives like most of what came from Hamilton. 

But, as musicals tend to be, this is all largely subjective. In the Heights wins major points for its exuberant energy and liveliness, but I was left wanting for the rest of it, perhaps unfairly. I'm sure it will be a big hit and, to be honest, it's a fantastic summer film that you shouldn't miss, particularly in one as exciting as this with us getting very close back to "normal"

CONS

• Felt too long and all for a story that feels generic, if not well-intentioned
• Wonderful music...but it all starts to blend together (or so it feels). Cutting a song or two would have helped with that and the length
• When special effects are used, they're just okay

PROS

• Has tons of energy that pulses throughout the whole feature
• Thanks to the excellent portrayal of the city and all the cultural elements it brings
• The cast are all wide-eyed and excited to be involved, which adds a lot too
• Speaking of the cast, they're perfect and all very talented for all the film asks of them
• Good music overall, with some standout segments
• Entertaining, colorful, and full of life - a perfect start to the summer the movies come back!

Rath's Review Score | 8/10