Lin Manuel-Miranda's early musical has transferred beautifully to the screen; "In the Heights" isn't in the same league as "Hamilton". Nevertheless, it's a gorgeous tribute to Black and Hispanic power. What a trip!
like its source, the movie is a blast; Seeing Dominicans and Puerto Ricans take to the streets may not be as novel now as it was when "In the Heights" hit Broadway, but it's no less invigorating on the big screen
it's so magical and euphoric; Seeing this massive, guileless, heartfelt piece of Hollywood entertainment on the big screen is like coming home after a long year in exile only to find that it's still there, and maybe even better than you remembered
it's joyful; this is a big, soppy, traditional musical, a story about a tight-knit community helping one another through their issues with a shared sense of scrappy optimism and a killer sense of rhythm, to enormously uplifting effect
for all its rich tapestry and radiant ingenues, it's that casual centering of so many marginalized voices that makes the movie feel, in its own way, revolutionary: a Technicolor marvel as heady as Old Hollywood, and as modern as this moment
at nearly two-and-a-half hours and with a terrific ensemble of actors singing [and dancing], "In the Heights" is a brash and invigorating entertainment, a movie of tender, delicate moments that nonetheless revels unabashedly in its own size and scale
a summer crowd-pleaser; it's futile to resist the generosity of spirit that powers "In the Heights"; a slight imbalance in pacing and energy doesn't diminish the pleasures of this fizzy entertainment
a joyful, energetic musical with a moving story; With an outstanding cast and compelling themes, "In the Heights" soars, bringing emotional beats together in a celebration of culture and community
a dazzling movie adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's breakout musical; "In the Heights" is so joyous, vibrant and visually wondrous that it mostly gets away with having next to no plot
"In the Heights" is a musical triumph, unafraid to lift its voice up to the sky; The "Hamilton" creator's stage-musical-turned-movie is, in body and soul, a celebration of community