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Original poster

Am I the only one who doesn't understand the hype around Hamilton?

56 replies

jewel1968 · 28/08/2020 13:07

Admittedly it is probably different live. I am talking about the Disney screening. I was looking forward to it having heard so much about it but I couldn't get into it at all. Anyone else?

OP posts:

Tigger03 · 28/08/2020 13:12

I felt exactly the same. I think it’s because I know literally nothing about the history, so it didn’t really grab me?

However I’ve listened to the soundtrack since and it has grown on me (but mainly the kings song, which is the least Hamilton-esque one on there..)

Gizlotsmum · 28/08/2020 13:39

Having seen it live I think the Disney version was missing something. The close ups meant you lost a lot of the subtle background stuff and the clever nuances... I don't think lin manuel makes the best Hamilton... I would have been disappointed if that was my only experience of what is an amazing live show.

Original poster

jewel1968 · 28/08/2020 13:56

Yes I do think my vague knowledge of the history didn't help. I get that the screened version would not be as good as live but still I had hoped. Some friends of mine thought the Disney version was amazing.

OP posts:

NameChange84 · 28/08/2020 14:27

It’s much better in person. It also helps if you are familiar with the soundtrack. I found the Disney filmed version underwhelming.

SirSamuelVimesBlackboardMonito · 28/08/2020 14:29

I quite liked it but good lord it was long!

Rafflesway · 28/08/2020 18:38

Nope, you are definitely not alone OP!

Can't pretend to be a "Musicals" fan in fairness but, due to all the hype, I decided to give it a go.

Not exactly ALW/Phantom style is it? 😂. Turned it off after 40 minutes.

TantricTwist · 31/08/2020 18:06

I tried so hard to get into it after all the hype but had to switch it off after half an hour as I was bored to tears.

Concretenotcement · 31/08/2020 18:09

I thought it was really boring, too long and I didn’t really know what was going on, although I admit this is due to my lack of knowledge of American history.

I’ve seen far, far better musicals.

Devlesko · 31/08/2020 18:12

Me neither, I bet Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein/ Hart, Lerner and Lowe, (in fact all the greats) are turning in their graves at that dross, it's not even very musical.
Certainly obvious how much dumbing down people accept these days.

MercedesDeMonteChristo · 31/08/2020 18:13

I thought it was good, I liked the rap, particularly as it was more reggaeton than hip hop. If I’d paid to see it I would have thought it was good but it was definitely overhyped hugely.

Panicmode1 · 31/08/2020 18:22

I agree OP. I was very excited to be able to watch it (with 4 children, the cost of seeing it live is eyewatering!) but I think it is probably much better live. There were clever bits of stagecraft which I could see would be amazing if one was actually there, but it seemed very flat (and long!) when streamed.

PaternosterLoft · 31/08/2020 18:26

I wasn't sure the first time round. But DS really, really liked it. So I sat through it and spent a lot of time on Wikipedia looking everyone up and on about the 3rd go round (as I said, DS really, really likes it) I did get it and have listened to the soundtrack on Alexa loads.

Yea Lin Manuel Miranda isn't the best singer - but he wrote the whole dang thing and if he wants to cast himself then why the hell not

audweb · 31/08/2020 18:32

I think all the greats are probably impressed with the musicality of Hamilton. You can dislike it but that doesn’t mean it’s not cleverly written. It intertwines modern hip hop into musical theatre, and is really well written, lots of clever themes and different styles woven together to tell the story. I can understand why it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but it’s not dross. Just because something is different doesn’t mean it’s badly written, it just means it’s not to your taste surely?

riotlady · 31/08/2020 18:34

@Devlesko

Me neither, I bet Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein/ Hart, Lerner and Lowe, (in fact all the greats) are turning in their graves at that dross, it's not even very musical. Certainly obvious how much dumbing down people accept these days.

It’s fine if it’s not to your taste but ridiculous to suggest that it’s “dumbing down”- it covers a really interesting period of US history, the lyrics have a lot of depth and while rap isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, the sheer speed and precision takes a lot of skill.

I love a musical but there’s not many I’d consider intellectual (what do we learn from Carousel? That’s it’s alright for a guy to hit you so long as he loves you?)

buckleten · 31/08/2020 18:34

I loved it, and I haven't seen it live, though I want to now! My 13 year old dd is very into it so the soundtrack is always on in the house and in the car, it is very clever. I have increased my knowledge of American history loads :-)

LunaLoveFood · 31/08/2020 18:36

I liked it but found I spent so much time googling the history/story/plot I got lost. I think I need to watch it again and actually follow the story. I did enjoy the music/songs .

Destinysdaughter · 31/08/2020 18:41

I really wanted to like this and thought it was very clever and energetic but I found it so hard to follow, which to me makes it a failure as it didn't communicate it's message effectively. A good musical shouldn't take such intense concentration, surely?

Original poster

jewel1968 · 01/09/2020 13:04

Having read a bit more about the history I see it was criticised for not being accurate e.g. Hamilton wasn't an abolitionist.

Totally understand that people will respond to it differently (it is art after all) but it was so hyped I was expecting so much more. Might try it again to see if it grabs me second time around

OP posts:

pinkbalconyrailing · 01/09/2020 13:08

my dc liked it and the king's song is on on a loop
I don't like musicals, they mostly are just copies of operas...

Divebar · 01/09/2020 13:10

I don’t like watching any stage shows on TV - it just doesn’t translate well for me. However I did love Hamilton live. However when I saw it I had listened to the soundtrack and I knew the story. The lyrics are so clever I can’t imagine why anyone would think it was dumbed down? If you’re not a hip hop fan you’re probably not going to love it are you? I would stick with your Howard Keel if that’s what floats your boat.

ChelseaCat · 01/09/2020 13:14

I watched it live and thought the portrayal of the story and songs were all crap. Not taking away from the talent of the people actually performing but it really wasn’t for me. Was really disappointed.

CaMePlaitPas · 01/09/2020 13:18

It wasn't for me, I turned it off after 30 minutes.

turnitonagain · 01/09/2020 13:21

If you don’t like hip hop and know nothing about American history, no you wouldn’t like it.

It’s based on a biography of Alexander Hamilton that was a best seller in the States, and New York is the hometown of rap.

Context matters. Something else is probably suited to your taste. Don’t have to love everything!

Coronacurls · 01/09/2020 13:24

I'm the total opposite - I didn't expect to like it at all - I love musicals but more Lloyd Weber/Mamma Mia type.

I'm currently obsessed with Hamilton - it's so cleverly written and the music is amazing - I'm totally not a hip hop fan but I love it.

The music and themes are way more complex than any other musicals, and I've learnt loads of history.

I also think the symbolism of the cast is fantastic - in my head George Washington is a big black bloke 😊. And if John Laurens had lived, would he have abolished slavery much sooner?

I'm really enjoying reading Ron Chernow's biography of Hamilton, that the musical is based on.

MothershipG · 01/09/2020 13:31

Top Tip - turn the subtitles on!

I was familiar with the soundtrack and have seen it live but found it hard to follow, then watched it on tv with the subtitles and it all became a lot clearer.

Give it another go with subtitles, it also brings out some of the clever word play.

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