Tag: disney +

“Hamilton” Film Review

Directed by Thomas Kail

Starring: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Phillipa Soo, Leslie Odom Jr.

Rated PG-13 for language and some suggestive material

Hamilton is a live recording of the 2015 Broadway musical of the same name. In Hamilton, we see the life of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton (played by Lin-Manuel Miranda) from the days of the American War of Independence to his deadly duel with Aaron Burr (played by Leslie Odom Jr.). During the musical, we see his relationship with other Founding Fathers such as Thomas Jefferson (played by Daveed Diggs) and his wife, Eliza (played by Phillipa Soo).

It’s difficult to review Hamilton as a film because the film is basically a live recording of the musical. This is not a live adaption of the musical as it take place in a theater. In the near future, we can only hope we get a live adaption of the musical. Nonetheless, the audience of the film can feel as if they are in the audience at the Richard Rodgers Theater (the theater where Hamilton was preformed) as we can hear the audience’s reaction at the end of each number. While it is wonderful to see the musical at its height of its popularity, I personally don’t feel as I’m with an audience watching the musical, but more of a recording of a musical. The reason being is when one is watching a musical, the audience can look at the entire stage and choose what they want to see. They are not limited to what they can view. As supposed to a film, a director will place the camera on a certain part of the stage and make the audience watch what needs to be watched.

But with that being said, Hamilton is a fantastic musical. The biggest component that stands out is the music and lyrics, which was written by Lin-Miranda. The songs convey the dialogue and story that needs to be told and does it without confusing the audience. The musical successfully inserts raps into its book and a key example being the rap battles between Hamilton and Jefferson. Miranda has this scene, which is supposed to be a debate to convince George Washington (played by Christopher Jackson), play as a rap battle to make a usually boring scene stand out and be exciting. These battles are well crafted and executed with some deep digs and some light humor incorporated into them. In addition, the songs itself can be moving when it needs to be. This is mostly due to the strong vocal performances given the by actors and displaying their emotions on the stage.

It goes without saying that Hamilton has a near perfect cast of actors. In the large cast, there was not one false note and almost every actor stood out. While much praise should be given to Lin-Manuel Miranda for his strong performance as Hamilton, he largely gets overshadowed by other actors. The actor who stood out from the rest of his peers is Daveed Diggs as Thomas Jefferson. Diggs brings humor into the role of the Founding Father and largely succeeds. He certainly knows how to impress the crowd with his humor, acting, and vocal abilities. Every moment he was on the stage, the scene became more engaging. Other stand outs include Leslie Odom Jr. who plays Burr. Odom Jr. brings cockiness and wit to the role of Burr. His vocal abilities is flawless and can make the audience pay attention whenever he is on the stage.

In addition, Anthony Ramos shines as John Laurens and Philip Hamilton due to his fine singing abilities and acting as well. His final scene was certainly emotional and I would have liked to see more of Ramos. Also, Jonathan Groff makes his presence known whenever he steps on the stage. Only on stage for a few scene, Groff is a memorable character as King George III. His role is more humorous more than anything and can make an audience laugh whenever he needs to. And when is singing, well, there’s a reason why he gets cheers from the crowd.

Hamilton is a engaging musical with interesting songs that is delivered by an impeccable cast. This is one of those films that cannot be viewed as it plays in the background as every second of the film gives information. While the film is over two and a half hours, it is best viewed with a little break during the intermission, like the audience at the real musical did. Hamilton is a film that is worth watching and see what the hype was all about all those years ago.

3.5/4

Artemis Fowl Film Review

Directed by Kenneth Branagh

Starring: Ferdia Shaw, Lara McDonnell, Josh Gad

Rated PG for fantasy action/peril and some rude humor

Artemis Fowl is a Kenneth Branagh directed film based on a book series by Eoin Colfer. In this film, Artemis Fowl (played by Ferdia Shaw) teams up with his butler (played by Nonso Anozie) and a fairy officer (played by Lara McDonnell) to rescue his kidnapped father (played by Colin Farrell). In order to save his father, Artemis must retrieve a sacred fairy item and hand it over to a pixie (voiced by Hong Chau).

It goes without saying that the titular character, played by Shaw, has to carry the entire film. But its unfortunate to say that Shaw’s acting is not a strong suit in the film. This is not a dig towards Shaw, as I can certainly see potential in his future. Also, he is a newcomer so his acting abilities are not going to be as strong as a veteran actor. But I will place most of the blame on the filmmakers, particular screenwriters Conor McPherson and Hamish McColl for writing a disjointed flat screenplay (more on that later). Also director Kenneth Branagh bares some fault here. I was almost convinced that we were seeing the first takes of some scenes. A director’s responsibility is to direct their actors and try to get the best take from them. But Branagh, who is a masterful director who has made multiple Shakespeare films missed the mark here.

On the opposite side of spectrum, we have Judi Dench who plays a commanding officer of the underground world. Dench is a terrific veteran actor who is known for her strong acting. But like Shaw, her performance is not as strong as it could have been. For the most part of the film, Dench somehow looks bored and tired. It doesn’t help that Dench has to play her role in an off putting voice that doesn’t suit her at all. It’s a shame that an incredible actor like Dench is reduced down to a forgettable role in a largely boring film.

As mentioned before, the screenplay is mostly disjointed. In the beginning of the film, we learn that Artemis Fowl Sr is actually a theft who has stolen some of the world’s most important artifacts. Because of this information, we learn that Fowl Sr is wanted by police. But soon after, he is kidnapped by a pixie. Throughout the film, I keep wondering when will this play a role in the film? But its clear that it is not as it doesn’t serve any purpose at all. We never see police come to mansion nor is it really mentioned again. If the subplot of Fowl Sr being wanted by police for his crimes were left on the cutting room floor, it would not changed the film at all. The film could have began with Fowl Sr kidnapped and the audience would not be missing anything. I have not read the novels and I am not sure if this subplot is in the book. But if it is, then it has no place in the film. At least in the book, the author has the opportunity to explore this idea, but a film has a time limit and cannot waste time.

The film certainly doesn’t help itself when a majority of it is dull. While the film tries to entice its viewers with great locations and incredible makeup of the goblins, it doesn’t do much to make itself stand out. Reflecting back on the film, there’s not one thing I can recall from the film, except the location and makeup. Everything in the film soon gets largely forgotten after viewing, mostly because of a tired plot that is being acted with actors who are trying their best to make sense of the mess of a screenplay.

Most of this film review is listing the faults the film has and rightfully so. But there are some moments that are enjoyable. But the decent scenes are not enough to recommend the film entirely. I suppose fans of the novel may want to watch this to compare and contract the film and the novel, but that’s about it. I cannot say in confidence that Artemis Fowl is a film audiences should watch.

1.5/4