Janelle S
'Hamilton'- An Epic Reminder of The Forgotten Founding Father
Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, performed by a star-studded cast, and available on Disney+, Hamilton is a two and a half hour long musical following the life, death, and legacy of Alexander Hamilton- one of America’s founding fathers. The film starts off tragically- introducing Hamilton as an orphan from the Caribbean longing for more- before chronicling his success in America. Joining the Revolution, Hamilton finds his place at George Washington’s side as his right-hand man. Post-war, Hamilton makes his way into Washington’s cabinet as the Treasury Secretary but finds himself in conflict with the other founding fathers- specifically Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Coupled with his infidelity and the loss of his son, Hamilton’s success dwindles as he chooses a quiet exit from politics, working on his marriage. As his marriage revives itself, America anxiously awaits an endorsement from Hamilton to determine the next President. Hamilton’s life ends in tragedy when he endorses Thomas Jefferson, a disgruntled Aaron Burr challenging him to a duel. Surrounded by the ghosts of his past, Hamilton succumbs to a gunshot wound, leaving his wife to continue his legacy.
Renée Elise Goldsberry steals the show with her portrayal of Angelica Schuyler, leaving little spotlight for the rest of the cast. However, one performance in particular completely overshadows the rest. Set as a wedding speech for Alexander Hamilton and Eliza Schuyler, Goldberry’s character toasts to the new couple, yet her words are tainted with a layer of longing. She belts out a beautiful performance, reminiscing on what could have been if not for her own jaded judgement on society and her everlasting love for her sister, Eliza. Towards the end, she gathers her bearings and forces herself to play the part of joyous sister-in-law; despite knowing she will never be quite “Satisfied” with her decision- just as the title of the song states.
Despite Lin-Manuel Miranda’s casting as the main character, he struggles to match Leslie Odom Jr. (Aaron Burr) in both energy and style when the two are on the stage together. Both Odom Jr.’s acting and singing overpower Miranda’s own- it is nearly impossible to shift focus between the two when faced with Odom Jr.’s satisfying rhythms and clean, smooth tones. Nowhere is this more prevalent than while the two are performing “Your Obedient Servant.” What is meant to be an even face-off leaves Hamilton paling in comparison as Burr’s vengeful voice cuts through the orchestra, the weight and depth of his anger tangible to the audience. Betrayal lays heavy in the air as Burr comes to terms with Hamilton’s failure to endorse him against Thomas Jefferson- a man he has openly labelled his enemy. Odom Jr.’s powerful performance in this duet seemingly foreshadows Hamilton’s death- his grandiose stage presence outliving Miranda’s.
This version of Hamilton is directed by Thomas Kail, who has made his presence known in both film and theatre since 2008. His experience as a director lends to ‘Hamilton’s’ success, staging a clear story and narrative easy enough for anyone to follow. His use of lighting throughout the play creates visual mood cues, adding to the emotional and explosive performance of those on stage. During “Burn,” the deep blue lighting shrouding Eliza places her sorrow center stage, emphasizing the fragile, reserved nature she has which prevents her from exploding in anger. The single flame in the lantern before her serves as a metaphor for her controlled anger as she burns the letters before her. Towards the end of “Ten Duel Commandments,” the lights are a bustling gold splayed across the stage as soldiers watch on in the background while a duel commences. When Washington walks onto the stage, the lights dim suddenly, shrouding the ensemble in darkness. This sudden shift in lighting creates an intimate conversation between Washington and Hamilton, signifying the switch to privacy. One of my favorites moments of Kail’s successful directing comes from Miranda and Odom Jr.’s performances during “Dear Theodosia,” where two equally spaced chairs and a sudden drop in lighting create a beautiful parallel between both Hamilton and Burr. The spotlights drop on both Burr and Hamilton, building a wall of darkness just between the two as they both perform a heart-warming song about their children. This lighting and stage set up provide a moment of similarity between the two, their goals aligned through fatherhood.
The production design of Hamilton is a brilliant balance between past and present. The structures, lighting, and costuming all lend to the period while simple tweaks and color stories make the whole thing feel more refreshed. The simplicity of the overall stage design takes you back in time, wooden staircases and brick walls echoing the 1700s. The same set is used throughout the film, which works for the time it is written in- showcasing the monotony and infancy of American independence. In addition, this design really allows the main characters to flourish, their bright costumes pulling them away from the neutral tones of both the ensemble and stage. The levels of the stage also help symbolize certain aspects of the performance. In the opening scene, the most impactful characters are set up across the balconies, each explaining their importance in Hamilton’s life. Placing them on these “pedestals” elevates their performances, symbolizing the weight they have on Hamilton’s legacy.
This film is a testament to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s brilliance as a composer. His ability to turn a history lesson into an epic and dramatic musical experience is unlike anything else. The explosive entrance of Washington, Hamilton’s evolving rivalry with Burr, and Eliza’s soft and loving insistence on building her late husband’s legacy all lend to an unwavering masterpiece. Each song has its own unique flare, even when remixed or called back on through later scenes. There is not a single boring moment throughout this film- between Hamilton’s betrayal to his wife, his struggle in Washington’s cabinet, and the recreation of The Revolutionary War, the whole film serves as a roller coaster ride of emotion. Despite these hard-hitting scenes, Hamilton still offers moments of reprieve through Burr’s declarations of love to Theodosia, Hamilton’s rekindling of his marriage, and Eliza’s steadfast devotion to her husband and his legacy. Phillipa Soo (Eliza), Leslie Odom Jr. (Burr), and Renée Elise Goldsberry (Angelica) bring this film to life through their radiant performances, placing Hamilton on the map as a revolutionary production.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
05/11/25
Full Review
Daniel T
The Basic Information
I watched the film version of the Broadway musical Hamilton. You can find it on Disney+, and it runs for about 2 hours and 40 minutes, so be ready to watch for a while. The musical was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and it tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. It starts with his early life in the Caribbean and follows his journey to America, his role in the Revolutionary War, and his rise in politics. It ends with his tragic death in a duel with Aaron Burr, a man who was once his friend. The coolest part of this musical is how it uses rap, hip-hop, and R&B music to tell a story from the 1700s. This made it way more exciting and modern, which ties into the controlling idea of the whole show, that history can feel fresh, alive, and emotional if it’s told the right way. That idea shows up again and again during the whole production.
The Acting and Singing
The acting and singing in Hamilton were really good. Lin-Manuel Miranda plays Alexander Hamilton. He also wrote the script and all the music, which is really impressive. His performance shows how driven Hamilton was. He talks and raps super fast, and you can feel how badly he wants to succeed. In the song “My Shot,” he raps about not throwing away his chance to be important. That line comes back several times in the musical, and each time it means something a little different. This is a cool example of playwriting, where the writer repeats certain lines or ideas to show how a character changes.
Leslie Odom Jr. plays Aaron Burr. He’s the opposite of Hamilton. He’s calm, patient, and always thinking before he acts. His voice is smooth and his acting made me feel kind of bad for him, even though he ends up doing something terrible. His song “Wait for It” really stood out to me because it shows how Burr feels left behind while other people are getting ahead. Phillipa Soo plays Eliza, Hamilton’s wife. Her song “Burn,” where she sings about being hurt by Hamilton’s cheating, was very emotional. She used her voice and expressions to show sadness and strength at the same time.
The Direction
The director of Hamilton is Thomas Kail. He did an amazing job making the stage interesting even though it doesn’t change much. There’s one main set, but because of the way scenes are arranged and blocked, it never felt boring. One of the best moments was during the final duel between Burr and Hamilton. Time seems to stop. Burr slowly walks toward Hamilton while a bullet hangs in the air. This is where the actors use the method of physical action. Their slow movements and body language make us feel the danger and emotion without them saying anything. It shows how powerful acting can be when it's not just about words. Kail also made sure that even with all the fast rapping, the story was still easy to understand. The way he staged scenes and focused our attention with lighting helped a lot. For example, when someone important was singing or making a big decision, the lights would shine on them or everyone else would freeze. That kind of directing helps keep the audience focused on the right part of the story.
The Design
The design of the show is simple but super smart. The set looks like an old wooden building with stairs and balconies. There's a turntable in the middle that they use a lot. It helps show movement, like when people are walking or fighting. Even though they don’t use big set changes, you always know where you are because of how the stage looks and how the lighting changes. The design team used light and space to make the scenes feel different, even when the set stayed the same. The costumes were also cool. The actors wore clothes that looked like they were from the 1700s, like long coats, boots, and dresses. But they moved and danced like people do now, which made it feel more modern. George Washington wore dark blue, Jefferson wore purple, and Hamilton wore green sometimes. This helped us tell characters apart, especially when some actors played more than one person.
The music was maybe the best part. There are fast rap battles, like when Jefferson and Hamilton argue about the government, and slower songs that are really emotional. The music helps show what each character is feeling and keeps the energy up even when things get serious. Songs like “The Room Where It Happens” are catchy but also teach you something about power and politics.
My Overall Reaction
I really liked Hamilton. I give it two big thumbs up. I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy a musical that long, but it kept me interested the whole time. The story was exciting, the characters felt real, and the music made everything better. It didn’t feel like school or homework, even though I was learning about history. The actors used the method of physical action to show how their characters were feeling without always talking. The playwriting was smart because it used repeated lines and smart lyrics to show how people changed. And the controlling idea that history can be exciting and told in new ways made the whole thing feel modern and fun.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
05/07/25
Full Review
Lucas T
Sure, it’s on a screen, but somehow it’s almost as good. You get to see the amazing original actors, instead of a different cast. Every song tells a great story in such a catchy way. I definitely recommend it.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
04/13/25
Full Review
Gary W
I tried to watch this with an open mind based on recommendations from some friends. Well, I watched it, and these people are no longer my friends.
Overlong, boring and infested with headache inducing rap that made my ears bleed, I couldn’t believe a lot of the 5 Star ratings this piece of vile sludge received. Unless you love rotten acting and a commitment to stupidity, do your yourself a favor and avoid Hamilton like ass herpes. Really!
Rated 1/5 Stars •
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
03/23/25
Full Review
Audience Member
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton made its much-anticipated debut in the Philippines, and it did not disappoint. The Manila production brought electrifying energy, razor-sharp performances, and a fresh cultural resonance to the award-winning musical. The cast delivered powerful vocals and tight choreography, seamlessly blending hip-hop, R&B, and traditional show tunes to tell the story of America's founding through a modern, diverse lens.
Filipino audiences responded with enthusiasm, embracing the show's themes of ambition, legacy, and revolution. Local nuances and the crowd’s palpable excitement made the experience uniquely memorable. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the hype, Hamilton in the Philippines proved that great storytelling knows no borders.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
03/23/25
Full Review
Emma F
Step right up and experience the magic of one of Broadway’s most iconic musicals, right in your own living room!
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
03/08/25
Full Review
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