Hamilton Movie Reviews

Interesting how some publications gave this to a theatre critic and others gave it to a film critic. Regardless, the reviews are all glowingly positive.

From what I can tell from the clips they've released, it's going to be somewhere between Newsies and Bandstand in terms of intimacy.  Bandstand had some cool pan shots and closeups, but nothing beyond that.  Newsies had camera angles from above the stage, behind the sets, tons of closeups, but not as much "full stage" action.  I think the major impact with Hamilton won't be necessarily the quality of the recording, but rather the publicity given to a filmed production of a Broadway show that might encourage other shows to do the same.

joevitus said: "I'm a little surprised, considering how far filming sports events has come, thanks both to HD and I assume drones, that recordings of stage performances (and this includes opera and ballet) haven't improved. There was a giant leap with the recordings of Sweeney Todd and SITPWG, but not much development since then. We're talking close to forty years."

I've heard it was the incredible amount of light needed to film in a dark theater. The light to get that perfect 4K look would cause a lot of heat and distraction to the performers.

In Europe they used to close the theaters and film without an audience to get the lighting just so, but that's another tradeoff.

It only just occurred to me... will this be eligible for Emmy Awards? I know it wouldn't be eligible until next year if it is, but by premiering on the streaming platform, could they pick up awards in the TV Movie categories, like Jesus Christ Superstar Live did? I'm not familiar with all the rules.

bear88 said: "Isn't it a film, just like everything else intended for movie theaters but released so people can watch on television would be? If it's eligible for any awards, wouldn't it be up against other films, not TV specials?"

I'm not sure about the Golden Globes or other awards shows, but the Academy Awards requires a theatrical release. The Emmy's don't have any equivalent requirement.

This filming was being treated as a theatrical release therefore they will be submitting it during awards season as such. It is being streamed on Disney + and not regular network television, which is why GREASE Live! and the other NBC Musical Events were in the Emmy Awards consideration submissions. Netflix films have won Academy Awards therefore Disney + hopes their films do so as well.  HAMILTON will not submit itself in any television category.

rattleNwoolypenguin said: "
This is so hilarious that people are reviewing this. It’s a filmed production of a Broadway show what do you want?

It’s gonna be like the filmed version of Into the Woods with Bernadette. It’s gonna be what it is and charming for what it is

It’s not gonna be a movie.

That is beside the point.  Hamilton has entered into the national Zeitgeist in the way that almost no other play, musical, film, tv show has ever even approached.  The producers are taking (IMO) a huge risk in showing this taped version of the show; nothing I can think of has ever been still been so in demand, with premium prices up the ying-yang, as this show still is, when they were made available on TV.  Will that demand be as high after people have had the opportunity to see it multiple times for the price of a monthly subscription?

The taped version of any show is never as good as the live version...you are missing that human connection that only occurs in a theatre; but you do get different angles, close-ups, etc.  A lot of the critics that I read acknowledged their personal opinions on the show Hamilton, but then focused more on the actual success of the transition cot tape.  For me, that was valuable information; it helped to set my expectations, just the way that a review of a new movie or Broadway production does.  

 

 

Fosse76 said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "This filming was being treated as a theatrical release therefore they will be submitting it during awards season as such. It is being streamed on Disney + and not regular network television, which is why GREASE Live! and the other NBC Musical Events were in the Emmy Awards consideration submissions. Netflix films have won Academy Awards therefore Disney + hopes their films do so as well. HAMILTON will not submit itself in any television category."

Netflix and Amazon films that have been nominated all had theatrical releases. And Netflix has had Emmy-nominated shows that didn't air on a network. Streaming services are pretty much treated like tv networks.

But as another poster said, apparentlythe Academy has altered the eligibility requirements for this year. But since Hamilton wasn't scheduled for release until next year, I wonder if they would still allow it to be entered. I can't imagine it'd win anything, but still..."

It's a feature film that has an MPAA rating, and it's considered a 2020 theatrical release. It will be submitted this year for any eligible awards . There's really no gray area here. 

Updated On: 7/2/20 at 08:58 AM

CT2NYC said: "Considering that it's a mandatory 10 Best Picture Oscar nominees, I'd be shocked if itisn'tnominated, and a Best Picture Musical or Comedy Golden Globe win is already a pretty goodbet, even withWest Side Story yet to be released. I'll be curious to see how eligibility for the actors is considered, though, since I don't believe there's any precedent for performances filmed on stage."

Correction, there is precedent. In 1975, James Whitmore received a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his filmed stage performance in Give ‘em Hell, Harry. In the same year, Ingmar Bergman’s filmed stage production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute received a nomination for Best Costume Design.
 
Considering how few movies have been released this year, and how many are being delayed, I think people are underestimating its chances for awards attention. Also, as a beacon of diversity and inclusion, it’s the perfect film for the Oscars to latch on to, in addition to the ratings boost it will get for ABC, which is owned by Disney.

 

Updated On: 7/2/20 at 10:52 AM