Who lives, who dies, who tells your story? When it comes to the life of Alexander Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda has proven to be an incredible storyteller. Everyone knows of the stage production Hamilton, but not everyone got a chance to see it. Well, come Friday, a filmed version drops on Disney+, offering up an opportunity for the masses to finally take in Miranda’s masterpiece. Having never seen the show or really heard the music, I went into it pretty blind earlier this week when I put on the screener. Hamilton was obviously a once in a lifetime Broadway event, but it does seem to have lost nothing in the translation to the big (well, really the small) screen. Wow. Just…wow. The film is a combination of a few live performances in 2016 of the smash-hit Broadway show of the same name (featuring almost all of the original cast, too). It tells the story of the life of one of America’s foremost (and arguably most underrated) founding fathers, as well as the first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton (Miranda). The story is well known by now, but follows Hamilton, a former orphan, as he makes his mark in America, developing an initial friendship with Aaron Burr (Leslie Odom Jr.) that eventually becomes a deadly rivalry, as well as a wife in Eliza Schuyler (Phillipa Soo). From a revolutionary under General George Washington (Christopher Jackson) to a builder of the nation, he’s constantly at odds with Thomas Jefferson (Daveed Diggs), while also slowly moving towards a date with destiny between him and Burr. Thomas Kail directs, while Miranda’s book is obviously used, as well as his music. Supporting players include Renée Elise Goldsberry, Okieriete Onaodowan, Anthony Ramos, and many more. The cinematography for this filmed version is by Declan Quinn. Lin-Manuel Miranda deserves every bit of the accolades he’s received over the years. The accomplishment here is absolutely staggering. Between the catchy music, the transcendent casting, and the vibrant depiction of history, it’s damn near genius. His work here is phenomenal, both as a creative and in the lead role. The cast really is glorious up and down, whether the turn is big or small. In addition to Miranda’s performance, the work of Daveed Diggs, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Jonathan Groff (as King George), Leslie Odom Jr., Anthony Ramos, and Phillipa Soo really do stand out. Goldsberry, Odom Jr., Miranda, and Soo […]