Funny Yelp Review of Washington Heights
Dreams
On a beach, Usnavi (Anthony Ramos) tells a group of youngsters about a place called Washington Heights in the faraway Nueva York. It's the days before the 1999 blackout. Usnavi runs a bodega but dreams of returning to his childhood home of Dominican Republic. He has a crush on the beautiful Vanessa (Melissa Barrera) who dreams of being a fashion designer. Nina returns from Stanford and is unwilling to go back especially if her father Kevin Rosario (Jimmy Smits) has to sell off his business to pay the tuition.
It's a Lin-Manuel Miranda musical directed by Jon M. Chu. I really loved some of this. It is too long and probably has too many story elements. The two main young couples could be combined into a simpler single Romeo and Juliet romance. It would allow the DACA story to have more space to breathe. Despite all the hot young things, the most emotional song is Abuela's powerful life story. I do like the visual of Vanessa running down the empty street with the fabrics flowing down the buildings. I don't know if it's possible but Vanessa may be too beautiful. I would have liked for Nina's college drama to be shown. The emotional climax is really Abuela's song and the DACA protest. The movie drags on a bit long after that although that is a fine ending. The main theme of this movie is dream which does present a minor problem. By itself, it does not give that much kinetic energy to the story. Everybody is just pining for money (from the lotto) to make their dreams come to life. All in all, I love quite a bit of this even if it is long.
17 out of 21 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
The Heights And Depths
It 's a big, sprawling movie about a Hispanic block in upper Manhattan's Washington Heights, and how each of them has his or her own dream, most of which are some variation of getting out of Washington Heights. It's a steady, dependable sort of multi-generational plot that was paying Fanny Hurst's bills more than a century ago, the stories and dreams seem well told, even if there are too may of them to keep in your head when we return to a particular character. It's also a musical, the one that Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote and directed and starred in to make his bones. John Chu has taken over the direction and Anthony Ramos the role.
There's some handsome, if not original choreography in this movie, bits lifted from WEST SIDE STORY and ROYAL WEDDING. It follows the tendency to make a big production number out of every dance. Until the next to last one, I experienced the despair I so often feel looking at modern movie musicals, convinced they've forgotten how to move the camera, but instead cut, cut, cut. The last dance, however, showed they hadn't. They just would rather do a zip cut than plan out the complex movements.
Sigh. Still, the songs were surprisingly strong, particularly "Paciencia Y Fe", sung by Olga Merediz. It's a skilled and enthusiastic cast, and it makes me hope that Hollywood will go back to making musicals, that are more than Broadway musicals filmed in front of a proscenium arch.
20 out of 27 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
As Honest as the Day is Long...
As sweet as sugar spun candy, sets the tone for a modus operandi, with elegant rhymes, delectable chimes but the story's too long and has no key.
A beautiful presentation of the brilliance of people but it just lacks a bit of oomph in the arch.
11 out of 14 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
It's exhausting. Not everything has to be ramped up to 100.
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is far too energetic, vivacious and optimistic. It needed to give the constant music and dancing a rest. And because of this, anything that could have been considered dramatic conflict just didn't come across as serious enough, making it very hard to connect with.
The biggest woes: spoiled girl doesn't want to stay in college, lead character frets about getting the funds to start his overseas business (which is told in flashback after he already has it), an exceptionally old woman dies of natural causes and the city has a blackout that they sing and dance their way through. Not everything can be fixed with a musical number. And after two hours, the songs all bled into one.
Oh and after the whole setup of the film, he just goes back to the Heights?! Well at least the salon moved because that was the only plot arc in the entire movie that literally went somewhere. I can see why this would work as a non-stop Broadway musical; on the stage it doesn't need to make sense and the characters/plot can stagnate as long as the performances of the score and choreography are captivating. But as a motion picture, this was tiring and wanting.
48 out of 76 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
It's like watching a bunch of crowd chanting, singing, and dancing for the World Cup.
Came in with a very low expectation, not knowing this was inspired by a Broadway musical, not to mention I couldn't care less if this movie was delayed because of Covid-19 and had never seen the trailer before prior to my first viewing, but when I got around to watch it it, damnnnn... I was stunned and shocked to admit that this is in my top 3 Broadway/theater-based musical genre after La La Land & The Greatest Showman.
Rarely we get to see a Hollywood film where all of the cast are led by the Latino community. This movie speaks volumes for them, where the central message lies on hope, racism, dual standard, dreams, family, friendship, the art of letting go and what it means to become an outsider.
In the Heights is inspired by its Broadway musical and as far as the story goes, they cut Nina's storyline and it gets sidetracked when hers should also be the highlight alongside Vanessa's. The story doesn't go as deep as Les Miserables but isn't as shallow as The Greatest Showman either (The only problem with TGS for me), it stays somewhere in the middle, just enough to get your attention.
In the Heights sends chills down your spine every time you witness the cast dancing and singing. The best thing is that the music and showmanship get better the more times you watch it and I will assure you, you'll have your fingers tapping backward and forward on your device to rewatch some of your preferred numbers. My top 3 songs include In the Heights, 96,000 & Carnavel del Barrio.
What's outstanding in this film is that there are parts in almost every dance number, some dancers go unsynchronized with the choreography. But as the audience, you couldn't care less because the songs are so juicy and refreshing, the only thing you want is to just rejoice and have yourself grooving. What's even better is that the unsynchronization actually makes the movie better, with deeper related metaphors; in that we accept people's imperfections and to let go of the insecurities within us and just... enjoy your life to the fullest!
One thing though, the colour grading could have been better. It paints this dour, gloomy, half-cooked gritty world all over it. Even when the scorching Sun arrives, it seems to have appeared somewhat dull. I get the intended meaning behind it, that this community's life is pale and has its sufferings amidst Summer is happening but imagine if the colour is as bright as The Greatest Showman or La La Land or Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. You'll be drooling all over your shirt 🤤. P. S: Colours in musicals play a pivotal role in enlightening the world and its mood.
In the Heights is a cinematic treat for your eyes and ears; amidst the pandemic happening, the economic downturning and the mental health issues arising, there has never been a perfect time to release this film until now in Summer! This is an important film for all and it's what we need!
Now, I watch the trailer and listen to their music about 50 times a day, I promote it on my Instagram (@iamianiman) every day so that my friends know this is the hidden gem of the Summer. Can't wait to watch it again and again and again especially in the cinemas!
Verdict: In the Heights really sets the bar high, making it incomparable with other contenders this Summer. This crowd pleasing event is the ultimate cure for the world and the rekindle of lost friendship, shattered hopes and retired dreams all because of the pandemic.
P. S: If The Greatest Showman were created for the Winter, In The Heights were created for the Summer.
148 out of 251 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Instantly Forgettable Music & Movie, I Was Bored!
In The Heights
It is difficult to know where to begin with this review as there were just so many problems, in terms of a hit musical it was such an American story containing so many specific things particular to that place that it was just not transferable this side of the pond. It had the feel of a stage show rather than a movie and needed adapting quite differently for it to work, remember that feline monstrosity Cats last year, same problem.
There was very little musical variety, we just had exhausting Hispanic rap relentlessly, I didn't know that was a thing, and I can only recall two memorable songs, granny's song and the fiesta, the rest were just instantly forgettable. The vocal variety was also flat the same tricks over and over, this was certainly no Bernstein, Weber or even Disney!
The dancing was just mass freneticism, totally lacking any imagination, even the Busby Berkeley tribute didn't work.
Now to look more disturbingly at the themes, it was difficult to look beyond these intentional inserts, it just grated at nearly every turn. We had dreadful female objectification, racial stereotyping, tokenism, white shaming and a tick box agenda of political tropes.
Lastly the whole plot rested on people having left Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Cuba for real reasons of poverty and danger and yet these same people were desperate to return rather than embracing their new home, and then implying the only way to get on in America is to win the lottery, really quite absurd, I felt cheated!
I must say I was so looking forward to this and it sadly disappointed. A weak 5 out of 10.
131 out of 250 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Delightful
Surprisingly old-fashioned musical with little plot and some big, imaginative dance numbers. The cast is charming, the songs are quick and clever, and there's a wonderful sense of place.
In a world in which the movie musical, is often, like The Greatest Showman, aggressively modern in its music and overwrought in its performance, the loveliness of In the Heights cannot be overstated. You should watch it.
11 out of 16 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
And oh, what heights we'll hit...on with the show, this is it!
I first heard of Lin-Manuel Miranda when his "Hamilton" made a splash. I was surprised to learn that he had written another musical a few years earlier. Well, the movie adaptation of "In the Heights" is here. What a show! Basically, it's a look at the efforts to preserve the spirit of one's neighborhood amid pressure to change both from inside and out. The musical numbers are like nothing that you've ever seen. I'll be eager to see Miranda's next production.
Great one.
25 out of 43 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Wonderful Feel Good Summer Movie with Great Music, Dancing and Storyline
Did you love the musical In the Heights and want more? Well, your wish has come true and you can have more because In the Heights is now a movie! It has the same great soundtrack and is even more action packed.
In the Heights is about Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), a bodega owner, and his disappearing neighborhood in New York City, specifically Washington Heights. Small businesses are moving away; people are leaving; and Usnavi is going back to his home in the Dominican Republic to help his family. What will happen when Usnavi leaves?
This movie is based on the book by Quiara Alegria Hudes and musical, with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda - both titled with the same name. The music is phenomenal and very memorable because it makes you want to get up and dance. While writing this review, I still have all the songs stuck in my head. Lin-Manuel Miranda also plays the Piragua Guy. Along with the music, the choreography is outstanding, particularly the group choreography - a mix of hip-hop and Latinx styles. Everyone is in sync and energetic. The scenes are very detailed, artistic and beautiful, with so much color. The acting is beyond amazing and every character is so believable and loveable. Anthony Ramos, as Usnavi, stands out and seems very genuine. Melissa Barrera, as Vanessa, shows so much perseverance for her dreams. Leslie Grace's Nina is passionate as she deals with her character's conflicts. My favorite character is Abuela Claudia because she is so loving to all, and she reminds us to have paciencia y fe (patience and faith). The characters speak Spanish at times during the film, so it helps if you have some knowledge of the Spanish language, but it's not essential to enjoying the movie.
The main message is that sueñitos (little dreams) aren't always easy; you have to work for them. In the Heights addresses some serious topics like attending college and dealing with racial bias as a minority. This movie has some profanity and suggestive references.
I give In the Heights 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It is available in theaters or on HBO Max June 11, 2021. By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST!
59 out of 110 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical is authentic, energetic and fun
I think Lin-Manuel Miranda is incredibly talented, and thought "Hamilton" was incredible (although I've only seen it on Disney+, and sadly never on stage.) Needless to say, I was looking forward to this musical slice-of-life set in the vibrant neighborhood of Washington Heights in uptown Manhattan. The film centers around a bodega owner named Usnavi, whose parents immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic. Joyous and filled with energy, the movie's music is often incredibly well done. Lin-Manuel Miranda's lyrics are fast, kinetic, and clever, combined with plenty of well-choreographed singing and dancing. The film also does an outstanding job showing the diversity, pluralism and cultural heritage of Washington Heights, and the various communities and cultures found there.
With its catchy music and thoughtfully inclusive cultural representation, the film is certainly a crowd pleaser. I'm happy to say that the audience I saw it with applauded after many of the musical numbers, and also gave a hearty applause at the end. It's certainly great to see an audience in a theater respond to a film like that again. That said, the film does fall short of greatness for a few reasons. It could have used more of a plot in between its musical numbers, which is part of the reason why it's not quite as impactful as something like "Hamilton." Usnavi is a generally engaging protagonist, but some of the other characters could have been more developed. Finally, the film does run a bit too long. Being a bit thin on plot but comparatively lacking in impressive musical set pieces compared to the rest of the film, the second act certainly feels like it drags a bit in comparison to the first and third acts. Yet despite these criticisms, there's something truly radiating about the film's vibrancy and joyful enthusiasm--which is, frankly, what we all need right now. Recommended. 7.5/10.
52 out of 90 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
A delight
I'm glad I saw this, has far has musicals go, this was quite a fun time, I never knew going into that it was already a broadway musical, I thought it was a new thing.
Songs are really good, you'll feel like singing with them, not to mention the dance scenes are also good. The scenery becomes a character itself, feeling the beauty of being in the heights. The actors don't disappoint either, really get there roles so well, I forget I'm watching a movie.
If you love musicals then give In The Heights a look.
23 out of 39 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Good enough, but I'm glad Lin-Manuel Miranda's work has improved since this
I was excited to see In the Heights. I've never seen this production on stage, but I am a fan of Lin-Manuel Miranda's work on Hamilton and Moana. It's kind of obvious this musical came before those two, as it feels more amateurish. The songs are enjoyable in the moment but aren't very memorable and go on a little long. Plus, the story doesn't have enough dramatic tension. I'm glad Lin-Manuel Miranda finally got his first Broadway musical to the screen, but I'm also glad his work has improved since then.
16 out of 26 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Lin-Manuel Miranda's first big-time musical
A friend who hopped on the Hamilton bandwagon relative early (with the original cast on Broadway) said to me, "I think this guy, Lin-Manuel Miranda, may be a freakin' (word substitution there) genius!" Naturally, I assumed that was the hyperbole common to those who think they've discovered something that is solid gold both. But having seen "Hamilton" and his earlier stage musical work, "In the Heights," translated to the big screen, it's getting pretty difficult to argue with that assessment. This one is about the hopes and dreams of its many and varied characters, just as "Hamilton"is about the hopes and dreams of the United States' founding fathers.
The "Heights" in question is Washington Heights, a big Apple neighborhood at the north end of the isle of Manhattan populated primarily by people of color, and where Lin grew up. Quiara Alegría Hudes adapted for the screen her book for her musical stage play. The notable director of "Crazy Rich Asians," Jon M. Chu, directs the energetic proceedings here. And of course, like Hamilton, all the music (from salsa to beats of merengue and bachata, to bomba y plena) and all the lyrics (which are almost exclusively hip-hop) are from the one-and-only Lin-Manuel. (A plump and bearded Lin appears in a mostly comic, near-cameo role that I won't spoil for you.) Combine all this with the endless joy of choreography & constant dancing and the innovative D. P. techniques (the cast says no harnesses were used in the "side-of-the-building" scene, which raises a serious question: "WTF?!?") and you have a real winner for generations of immigrant New Yorkers and their off-spring and the whole Latinx community, and a "West Side Story" for a new millennium. Highly recommended!
62 out of 113 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
What's all the fuss about?
All the things that are wrong with this movie could be summed up by the big midpoint dramatic sequence.
Character drama with celebratory singing and dancing. A dramatic scene where everyone's happy. It's so dark. But LOOK AT THE FIREWORKS!!!
This movie is too long and can't seem to let any drama build for more than 30 seconds before assaulting the screen with smiling faces and singing. I'm Latino so I really wanted to like this. Some of the songs are. Ice. Some of the themes resonated with me. But the music and dance is not strong enough to carry a 2.5 hour movie with no drama and focus.
Favorite scene: the abuela musical number with the flashback (paciencia y fe). Fantastic!
115 out of 214 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Weak...missing a lot of its "heart and soul"
In the Heights is a BIG disappointment. I thought is was serviceable in a few areas (very few), but West Side Story it ain't. It doesn't have the same vibrancy, heart and soul as the Broadway show, and some of it just plodded along aimlessly with no real direction. The storyline was weak and had far too many anachronistic elements that were distracting. It was far from the In the Heights I adored on Broadway. Another thing I noticed....it was just too over-the-top even for a musical, so much so that it was overwhelming and I wanted some of the scenes to just end already. ENOUGH! Everyone is fawning over it, but it makes me wonder if they have just purposefully overlooked the abundance of flaws because it's Lin-Manuel Miranda's baby.
161 out of 294 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
This is a masterpiece that I am sure is going to win tons of awards
In the Heights (2021) is a movie we saw last night in theatres. The storyline focuses on Washington Heights in New York City where everyone has goals and dreams but the struggle is real and the need for funds is even more real. When news breaks that someone in Washington Heights won the lottery, some's dream is going to come true. This movie is directed by Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asian) and stars Anthony Ramos (A Star is Born), Melissa Barrera (upcoming Scream Remake), Corey Hawkins (Straight Outta Compton) and Jimmy Smits (Dexter). The storyline for this is outstanding. This is a little long but is so intricate and well done. Every character's story and back story is well told. The singing is also out of this world, well thought-out and well written. I really enjoyed the evolution of all the characters throughout the movie and the ultimate conclusions. They also do a great job with the choreography that perfectly fits the ups and downs of the emotional swings throughout the storyline. This is a masterpiece that I am sure is going to win tons of awards. I'd score this a perfect 10/10.
25 out of 45 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
In the Heights is not worth the hype
The movie is visually stunning, the dancers are talented, singers are talented, but the story or should I say stories are all over the place. They should have stuck to one main character and follow his story. Instead we got alot of side characters with stories which took away from the movie as a whole. Also, I never found a song I wanted to learn and sing along with like Greatest Showman, Hamilton, or Les Mis. My wife and I both wanted to like this movie so bad but it just didn't connect with us.
215 out of 396 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
A whimsical film arriving at the perfect time in the world
Arriving into a world that hasn't had a whole lot of joy and happiness shared around over the previous 12 months, Broadway musical adaptation In the Heights drops into a time and place where its dosage of colour, energy and Hollywoodized views of life where everyone is friends and loved up couples can dance along the side of a building in gravity defying displays arrives in what's a case of perfect timing for all concerned.
A passion project for Hamilton heavyweight Lin-Manuel Miranda who has helped bring this musical to life on the big screen as both a producer, consultant and supporting star, Heights is vividly bought to life by the Broadway star and hot right now director Jon M. Chu, who on the back of his work with Crazy Rich Asians and this film here has showcased a real ability to craft culturally diverse products for a landscape crying out for more variety in the media they consume.
There's no true plot holding everything in Heights together and not a single villain to lay your eyes on (unless you count the neighborhood's newest dry-cleaner and his exorbitant prices) and at 140 minutes in runtime there's a case to be made for this tale benefiting from a further trim in the editing suite but Chu and Miranda ensure this heart-felt and upscale Hallmark offering is a film impossible to hate as we as an audience are invited to a block party we can't help but be glad we made the effort to attend.
Built around Anthony Ramos's Usnavi (a star making turn for the young performer), a corner store grocery manager with dreams of escaping the neighborhood of Washington Heights to return to his home country of the Dominican Republic but torn due to his love of fellow Washington Heights resident Vanessa (another star making turn from actress Melissa Barrera), Heights throws countless musical numbers at us thick and fast and while some of the numbers are a little underwhelming, when Heights hits the high notes there aren't many modern day musicals that could stand alongside it and Chu and Miranda should be commended for embedding their creative feature with heart, soul and fun to spare creating an often magical movie going experience.
Opening with an extended entrée to the main course that Hamilton fans will be pleased too know takes the same hip-hop inspired approach to song and dance numbers that made Miranda's work such a talk-worthy exercise, Heights is rarely too far away from another eye-popping set piece that will have your feet tapping and your heart beating and whether the film is taking us on a sojourn to the local swimming pool, walks through the streets with nothing more than fireworks lighting the way or showcasing the local battle of wits between a shaved ice salesman and the local ice cream truck, there's a lot too love here and while cynics will find lots to pull apart and find issue with, its hard to imagine how one could not find joy in such a whimsical ride.
Accessible to those of varied age, background or race, Heights is going to be a film that is oft-enjoyed for the years yet to come and while its not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, right here and now this fun and exciting bout of goodness and goodwill arrives at the perfect time.
Final Say -
A fun and enthusiastic Hollywood musical with a great ethnic twist, In the Heights may outstay its welcome in parts and feature a few song and dance routines that could've been cut without issue but as a whole this is a joyous movie going event that showcases what big screen magic is all about.
4 lottery tickets out of 5.
19 out of 33 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Not for me
I am a huge fan of Broadway musicals, and I love to watch them on stage every time I can. I had already seen an In The Heights performance, but it was an amateur one so I thought that's why I didn't like it.
But now I realize, after watching Hamilton and this movie, that my problem is that I don't like Lin Manuel Miranda's musicals in general. With Moana there was enough variety in song styles, and the non-musical parts of the movie were great.
But when I am bombarded with this style of rap combined with high pitched almost screams, in what seems to be an endless 2.5 hour song, I can't enjoy it. Add that to the fact that the story is just a series of events and characters scattered all around the place, without an actual plot, and it becomes, for me, a really boring monotonous experience.
I'm happy for the people that have enjoyed this kind of movie, because I would like to see more tries at musicals coming from Hollywood. But even being latino (mexican) myself, and having good memories from my visit to New York City, I just could not have a good time with this movie.
187 out of 346 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
A catchy soundtrack with heart but isn't completely flawless
I just want to start off by complimenting the cinematography in this movie that makes it so worth it to pay the price of admission to see this movie in theatres. The other point that makes this movie worth the price of admission is the amazing choreography in this movie. I remember hearing that Jon M. Chu wanted different dance styles there to be different styles of dance in this movie to represent everybody's different dreams, leading to some crazy dance sequences. I know some people might be upset over the movie changing the music style to make it more current but, in my opinion, I enjoyed the change. I feel like this movie chose the right director for this movie with Jon M. Chu because you can tell that he put so much passion into this movie to make it a spectacular explosion of Latin culture. I love that this movie wasn't afraid to show the hardships for people who immigrated to any country but specifically the US in this movie. Furthermore, I love how you could easily see that the cast making this movie were having fun with it and were giving it their all even if they were just background dancer number 23. I would say that there was a standout actor for me to shout out but in all honesty, I feel like we never fully got to know the characters. I've never seen the show but I have listened to the original soundtrack and I know that certain songs were cut out that would have brought more depth for certain characters. I felt like I never fully understood these characters and their relationships with one another. Another problem that didn't help was the quick editing in this film. For a good chunk of the scenes, the transitions between them were jarring and never felt natural. In the end, In the Heights has a catchy soundtrack with heart but isn't completely flawless.
32 out of 55 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
A future classic in the making
I loved this movie! The direction, casting, acting, cinematography, music, dancing are all top tier. I went through my entire range of emotions. It definitely deserves awards! The music is going to be the soundtrack of my summer! I highly recommend.
124 out of 236 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Summer feel good
Great summer movie! Very much a great musical with today's music. Highly recommend this film.
18 out of 31 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Wonderful movie is just what the doctor ordered to start this summer
As "In The Heights" (2021 release; 143 min.) opens, we are introduced to Usnavi, who is getting ready for a new day at the convenience store that he runs in Washington Heights. It is "3 Days till Blackout" and neighborhood people are stopping by (mostly for coffee). Usnavi is originally from the Dominican Republic and dreams of going back and rebuild his parents' house that was destroyed by a hurricane. We then get to know Nina, who has just finished her freshman year at Stanford and she feels dejected about her experience there. Then there is Vanessa, who works at a beauty parlor but hopes to start her own fashion line... At this point we are 15 min. Into the movie.
Couple of comments: "At the Heights" is the highly anticipated big screen adaptation of the Broadway play from creator Lin-Manuel "Hamilton" Miranda. Let me state upfront that I have not seen the Broadway show so I cannot comment on how closely the film sticks to the original play. What I can say is this: the film is an absolute wonderful experience from start to finish. The story line works well. Most of the songs are immediately appealing singalongs. And then there is the dancing: there are several utterly stunning dancing sequences (the 10 min. Sequence at the pool with hundreds of extras while singing to "96,000"; the gravity-defying sequence by Kevin and Nina on the side of the apartment building; etc.). And yes, there are also time-defining reminders of the "Dreamers", DACA, and being visible. In fact, I'd say that "In The Heights" is a celebration of not just music and dance, but also diversity, inclusion, equality, respect and encouragement. So that makes "In the Heights" not only a wildly entertaining movie but also a deeply political statement, and one that will not be welcomed by the MAGA crowd. As a legal immigrant myself to this country (I arrived here from Belgium in the early 80s), I found "In The Heights" to be refreshing and above all super-entertaining. These 2 1/2 hours flew by in no time.
"In The Heights" was originally scheduled to be released in theaters in Jun, 2020, but of course a little thing called COVID-19 had different plans. Fast forward a year later, and the movie was finally released this weekend and it also is available for streaming on HBO Max (which is where I caught this last night). As we all move closer to 'normalcy' with each passing day and week, "In The Heights" is a wonderful movie and just what the doctor ordered to start making the summer of 2021 a summer to remember. Enjoy!
17 out of 30 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Lacks focus, and the songs are too high strung
For some reason Moana kept popping to mind while watching this movie. If you've seen Moana, you might appreciate the clear narrative purpose of it's songs, their dosing and simply their composition. 'In the Heights' fails on these points though.
So this is just my opinion, but for a movie or musical, a good song has a clear message and narrative purpose. Be it to make clear a characters intent or state of mind, or to unveil a specific plot twist or something of the sorts. In 'In the Heights' however, songs jump from subject to subject; from a persons background to the situation another person finds themselves in, to romantic aspirations, to life beyond The Heights, etc. They tried to cover to much content in most songs, and it just leaves the senses overloaded.
Not helping those senses is that most songs are just too high strung; they have a constant high energy and intensity as if every line is the highlight of both the song and the movie. There is no pacing or ease, no breaks or just a moment where they shut up and give the music a moment to breathe, which makes the watching experience rather exhausting.
The acting itself is good, the story is cute, but the movie aims to be a musical and in that it just fails.
158 out of 287 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Absolutely fantastic
This is by far the best musical movie I have seen in years. Anthony Ramos was absolutely fantastic Amin this. The music was amazing the story was on point. It is a must see. In the Heights was absolutely the best movie of the year so far and it will be the best movie of the year. This is going to win big at the Oscars
My foot is still tapping I loved all of the songs.
38 out of 72 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
joneswillearrimay.blogspot.com
Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1321510/reviews
0 Response to "Funny Yelp Review of Washington Heights"
Post a Comment