DisneyExaminer

  • Home
  • About
  • Movies
  • Disney+
  • Theme Parks
  • Products
  • Editorials
  • Disneyland Tickets

While nothing will replace watching it live, “Hamilton” on Disney+ will do for now

  • by Jordan Poblete
  • in Disney+
  • — 30 Jun, 2020
Hamilton Disney+ Review Lin Manuel Miranda Leslie Odom Jr

This July 4th will be different, and not just because of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic cancelling all our party plans. It will be because one of America’s favorite staged musicals will be available for viewing on Disney+.

In somewhat of a surprise announcement, Disney executive chairman Bob Iger and Lin-Manuel Miranda announced that the filmed version of “Hamilton” would be exclusively available to watch on the streaming service on July 3, one day before America’s 244th birthday. Disney had previously announced back in February of this year that they would release the filmed version in theaters in 2021, but current events prompted Disney and Miranda to “not throw away their shot” in speaking into the moment.

“In these times of people uniting against forces of adversity, I think it’s quite relevant and quite important,” said Iger during an interview with the announcement on Good Morning America. “It’s a thrilling experience watching it all on film,” added Miranda. “You essentially get the best seat in the house – right in your living room.”

Miranda alludes to how the musical was captured. Over the course of three days in June 2016, the original cast of the hit Broadway musical was filmed performing. Utilizing stabilized cameras capturing different angles of the stage and close-up shots of the actors, it very much presents as if it were a true cinematic experience. It’s similar to the filming techniques that were used to capture “Newsies” a few years ago.

If you have never seen a staged musical before, a lot of the experience depends on where you’re seated. And especially with popular musicals like “Hamilton,” tickets for the the best seats usually near the stage in the center section can cost hundreds of dollars. Thanks in large part to the director of the musical who also became the director of the filmed version of the musical, you see everything – and even more – since the director knows where to focus your attention and when to go wide so you can see the entire stage.

Hamilton Disney+ Review Eliza Phillipa Soo
Lin-Manuel Miranda and Phillipa Soo
Hamilton Disney+ Review Daveed Diggs
Daveed Diggs

That is the difference between seeing a musical live and in-person and via recording – the ability to freely enjoy it in your own way, perhaps even feel the risks of things potentially going wrong. While that feeling can never be replicated via a streaming video, “Hamilton” on Disney+ is captured and presented in such a way that makes it accessible and enjoyable in the only way we can enjoy live musicals right now.

Even if you’ve seen “Hamilton” in a theater before, this performance will feel fresh as it is a live capture of a few performances edited to become one. This is not simply B-roll footage layered over the original ensembles’ soundtrack recording. It’s better.

Combine all that with the uncanny resemblance of the story to what our country is going through right now like Iger mentioned, and you have something timely, meaningful, hopeful, and just plain entertaining for everyone.

The entire 2 hours and 50 minutes of “Hamilton” (plus a 1-minute Intermission) will be available to stream only on Disney+ on July 3, 2020.

Editor’s note: An advanced screener of “Hamilton” on Disney+ was provided for this review from Disney+ Media Relations.

print
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Related

Share

— Jordan Poblete

DisneyExaminer Founder + Publisher. Walt inspired Disneyland, Disneyland inspired DisneyExaminer. Catch me at Disneyland. Reach me at jordan@disneyexaminer.com or on Twitter @jordiepoblete

You may also like...

  • Produced By Conference Meet the Buyers Panel 2022 Fox development execs share what they look for in new shows and movies at Produced By Conference 15 Jun, 2022
  • Pixar’s “Coco” was originally going to be a darker story about the challenge of overcoming grief after death 28 Aug, 2017
  • Glow With The (World of Color) Show! 23 Jun, 2012
  • 10 facts from the Star Wars: The Force Awakens documentary on the Blu-ray 1 Apr, 2016
  • Previous story The Frozen 2 docuseries shows collaboration and vulnerability make all the difference
  • Next story Pixar’s “Soul” first look and How Jazz became the answer to the question of life
  • Today is

  • Happening Now

    My Tweets
  • What’s Trending

    animation behind the scenes buena vista street business california adventure cars land christmas D23 expo DCA disney disney animation disney california adventure disney channel disney consumer products disneyexaminer disney interactive disneyland disneyland resort disney movie disney parks disney parks and resorts downtown disney exclusive food frozen FYI lucasfilm main street USA marvel marvel studios movie review new pixar review spoiler free star wars technology the force awakens walt disney walt disney animation studios walt disney company walt disney imagineering walt disney parks and resorts walt disney studios walt disney world
  • News Archive

  • Home
  • Disney+
  • While nothing will replace watching it live, “Hamilton” on Disney+ will do for now
  • Hiya, Pal

    DisneyExaminer is a premier independent online magazine that takes a closer look at all things Disney.

    Founded and lovingly made in Orange County, California.

  • Subscribe To Our YouTube Channel

  • Search

  • Home
  • About
  • Movies
  • Disney+
  • Theme Parks
  • Products
  • Editorials
  • Disneyland Tickets

© 2008 - 2022 DisneyExaminer. All rights reserved.

 

Loading Comments...