The Euphoria of IN THE HEIGHTS

 

The long gestating film adaption of the Tony Award winning musical, In the Heights, finally arrives as composer Lin-Manuel Miranda’s precursor to his Hamilton makes a colorful splash with its music and visuals resulting in a dazzling experience.

Washington Heights, a largely Hispanic neighborhood in New York undergoes big changes as businesses and residents depart. Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), a shopkeeper with dreams of building a successful business abroad, has a crush on beautiful Vanessa (Melissa Barrera), who yearns for a career in fashion design. Meanwhile, Usnavi’s buddy, Benny (Corey Hawkins), loves Nina (Leslie Grace), whose desire to attend college is jeopardized despite the sacrifices of her loving father (Jimmy Smits). These relationships get tested as the city experiences a lengthy power blackout, and interconnected lives come to a crossroads with an uncertain yet hopeful future for their beloved community.

A talented cast of newcomers adds to the authenticity of the film which unfolds like a fable, introducing main characters through song and the rhythm of an infectious soundtrack (embracing a variety of styles including rap); the songs are as essential to the storyline as dialogue (and occasional subtitles).  

The film is at its best when it conveys a sense of belonging and the importance of family. Full of good natured exuberance and spirit with its messages of daring to dream and aspiring for a better future, there is a reverence for tradition and memories of the past while facing the realities of life.

The energetic pacing and rapid editing work in tandem with imaginative choreography and dazzling camerawork.  Freed from its stage origins and directed as a gorgeous cinematic experience by Jon M. Chu, this is a must for fans of musicals, one of the best in recent years.

**** of **** stars

Setting Things Right in BLACK WIDOW

 

Finally, the last original Avenger gets a standalone film in Black Widow, an exciting Marvel adventure that reveals Natasha Romanoff’s history between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War.

A fugitive from The Sokovia Accords, Natasha (Scarlett Johansson shines) flees to Europe to find her ‘sister’, Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh steals the film), as they both share a traumatic childhood as part of the Black Widow program training lethal, female assassins in the ‘Red Room’.  Determined to end the deadly project means reconnecting with her past including her surrogate parents (Rachel Weisz and David Harbour, who hams it up in grand fashion). As Natasha gets closer to the truth, loyalties are tested, and secrets are revealed as a dark figure emerges from her past with an insidious plan that threatens her family and the world.

This is Natasha’s story as it flashes back and forth in time and how she found two families, one in Russia and The Avengers. The actors sell the relationships; credit goes to the excellent casting especially Pugh’s character who gets good lines and comebacks (and who has a future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe). There is also a mysterious Marvel villain, Taskmaster, who makes a formidable adversary with a devastating secret.

The themes (making amends, the concept of family, and female subjugation and empowerment) drive a sometimes emotional narrative that is punctuated with plot twists and borderline, over-the-top action, though the hand to hand fighting à la Bourne series works well.

It’s good to see a Marvel film after an extended shutdown, and make no mistake, this film needs to be seen on a big screen. It’s worth the wait. The post credit scene ties into a future Marvel series.

***1/2 of **** stars (for Natasha fans)

William Smith the Tough Guy

 

Actor William Smith passed at 88. This tough guy started as a child actor in films and had a long career in TV and movies mostly playing the bad guy. He hit his stride in the 1970s when he played the heavy Falconetti in the epic miniseries Rich Man Poor Man. He was a favorite of director John Milius playing the father in Conan the Barbarian and as the Russian hunter in Red Dawn. Perhaps one of his best roles was as a rival street fighter in Any Which Way you Can. His climactic showdown with Clint Eastwood is one of the great cinematic fights ever.

Director Donner Was Force in Popular Entertainment

Director Richard Donner has passed at 91. His was a stellar career that embraced the best shows in the 1960s including The Man from UNCLE and The Twilight Zone's classic Nightmare at 20,000 Feet episode. He broke into film with a major horror hit,The Omen, and followup with several popular films including The Goonies, Scrooged, and the critically acclaimed Inside Moves. He gave us Superman in 1978 which was a significant success and spurred superhero films to this day (He co-produced the first X Men film too.) He is also known for his four Lethal Weapon films that were huge successes. He was actually prepping the last sequel too. What a remarkable career.