Review of In the Heights (2021) by Siniaja — 13 Jun 2021

Actually, I'm not typical drama musical guy, but since La La Land, I'm trynna liked this kind of genre.

In the Heights not just telling you about Usnavi's life, but all story surrounding Washington Heights community, the culture, the diversity, and mostly their DREAMS. Everything wrapped perfectly with Latino Spanish hip hop musical numbers and energetic dance choreography, made this movie look alive and colorful.

Also, the cinematography and visual look great and eye-catching. You can feel the summer vibe party here. The production design also good, nice set. The editing and camera movement was amazing too. I love the part when Nina and Benny were dancing up and down over the building walls. Wow!

Even though, we'll enjoying the vibrant of song and dance, the storyline is the weakness. Of course its talked about culture, diversity, and community issues. I just don't know why, but at some point, the story toward the end about family, friends, dream things is 'a bit' cliche to me personally. Also technically, the duration is overly long. I guess 2 hours is much better, the story drags a bit in the middle. However, its still great storytelling, and this weaknes is just minor flaws. And one more, personally, I'm not really suck in to the music, its not memorable enough. I loved the first music 'Washington Heights'.

Overall In the Heights is a joyful drama musical with bright visual, uplifting music, and energetic dance, indeed, its not perfect, the story is 'a bit' cliche, duration overly long, but still entertaining and so much fun. And maybe one of the best drama musical this year.