"In the Heights"
In Washington Heights, New York: an eclectic group of predominantly Latin American citizens dream of a better life; and a winning lottery ticket has been bought by the people... Against this backdrop, Usnavi (Anthony Ramos) tries to whoo the beautiful Vanessa (Melissa Barrera); Nina (Leslie Grace) is welcomed home from Stanford by the neighbourhood, her old friend Benny (Corey Hawkins) and her proud father Kevin (Jimmy Fucking Smits); and the looming spectre of gentrification threatens to envelop them all...
This movie is fucking spectacular.
There is no other word for it.
It is akin to an injection of pure euphoria into the eyeballs and brain, administered by masters of their craft.
Yes, the numbers are amazing without a dud in the bunch (personal favourites are "96000"; "Benny's Dispatch", "The Club" and "Paciencia y Fe") but so much praise has to go to John M Chu for making it electrifying to watch, stage and experience. He elevates this all above a clunky translation to the big screen and makes it feel like a true film, lets it breathe, lets it intoxicate you. Even the smaller, not as bombastic and more traditional romance number between Hawkins and Grace ("When the Sun Goes Down") is rendered gorgeous and mindbending with its choreography and creativity.
The underground sequence for "Paciencia y Fe" is going to be talked about for years to come.
Even if you're not a musical fan, I can highly recommend it for the technical capabilities on display.
This man directed the masterpieces of "Step Up 2: The Streets" and "Step Up 3D" and it fucking shows.
This is contender for movie of the year.
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