Review: In the Heights – “Infectious, vibrant, and timely.”

The lights are up on Washington Heights, and this musical is just the right amount of joy needed right now. 

Long before Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda took Broadway by storm with a little musical called In the Heights. And while there are noticeable changes for those who love the original stage production, this story of love, home, and family remains the same.

As the film opens, Usnavi (Anthony Ramos) breaks the fourth wall to introduce the audience to a flood of characters. There’s Abuela Claudia (Olga Merediz, who originated the role on Broadway and won a Tony for her performance), Sonny (Gregory Diaz IV), Usnavi’s young cousin, Kevin Rosario (Jimmy Smits), Nina (Leslie Grace), Benny (Corey Hawkins), and Vanessa (Melissa Barrera) … to name a few. 

While the lengthy cast list may have you thinking the story will get too messy and complex, it’s the opposite. The story may center around multiple characters, but they are a tight-knit group, so the challenges end up connecting somehow. 

Each character longs to leave Washington Heights but faces the struggle of class and, in some cases, immigration. Everyone wants to pursue a passion, find a home, and build a family. 

The film is infectious, vibrant, and timely. 

There’s a reason Lin Manuel is hailed a genius. What he does with music and storytelling is something akin to Andrew Lloyd Webber.  

What Miranda does well is let the music tell the story in lyrics, beat, and score. Everything is well thought out and placed with precision. Thanks to HBO MAX, you’ll notice the brilliance of the little nuances in the music on a second watch.

Director, Jon M. Chu brought the energy from the stage to the screen. He never hides the fact that we are watching a musical. Everything is a little bit more Heightened (pun intended) and magical. 

It’s not often scenes in a movie musical make me want to give a standing ovation. That being said, there are a few standout performances that bring the same heart-pumping energy that’s usually only felt while watching a stage production.

A few are the titular In the Heights, 96000, and Carnival del Barrio (a personal favorite). When these scenes end, you may find yourself starting to clap until you remember you’re in a movie theater and not on Broadway. 

To me, Jon M. Chu did what something like “The Prom” failed to do, give you the experience of seeing a Broadway musical on the big screen. 

In the Heights is also perfectly casted with representation in every frame. 

While Lin-Manuel Miranda originated the role of Usnavi, he has said he outgrew the role and chose to play a minor but scene-stealing character. Anthony Ramos is perfect for this version of Usnavi. He knows this character inside and out and brings a certain innocence and wonderment to the role. You can feel the love he has for the Usnavi and the story. His eyes alone tell a hundred stories, and his smile shines on screen. 

As I mentioned, things were cut from the original material. Theater fans will take note of some major changes made, including plot points and song changes. Most were made to update the story to reflect the times we’re living in now. For those who don’t know the show, you won’t notice. However, some changes leave certain stories unresolved or a little flat. 

Another critique is the use of graphics. Sure, they looked cool. But we’re not consistent or necessary for storytelling.

In conclusion, In the Heights is an emotional and sophisticated film that brings broadway to life in a new way. It’s a story about found family and finding what home means.

If you feel comfortable seeing it in theaters, go for it because it is beautiful on the big screen. If not, You’ll still have a great time watching from the comfort of your couch. Also, you may want a second or third watch to relive the magic and catch a few Hamilton Easter eggs and Broadway cameos.