POSITIVES…
Awkward teenager. Premise about a huge misunderstanding. Heavy subject matters. It's a musical too! If that's up your alley, have at it.
Speaking of being a musical, the songs are good and catchy. The scenes that go with them are great as well, and are several of the highlights.
"Waving through a window," "Sincerely, Me," "The Anonymous Ones," "You Will Be Found," "So Big / So Small," are just some of my favorites from the movie.
Effective directorial choices in how the musical numbers are visualized. This is definitely not just a camera placed in front of the stage musical.
Considering the premise, it is like a rabbit hole of curiosity to see where the plot is taking you to next.
Despite the simplicity of the narrative, this definitely shouldn't be accused of being boring.
Movie has some good heartwarming, heartbreaking, and emotionally resonant moments.
Loved the contrasts between the Mother characters.
Appreciated how the story reached its conclusion. I feel it's important that the final act played out the way it did.
Ben Platt is fantastic as Evan Hansen. It's like he was born to play the role. Either that or he had a lot of practice playing the character. HeHe
Ensemble cast is excellent and have their own moments to really shine. From Kaitlyn Dever, Amandla Stenberg, Amy Adams, Julianne Moore, Danny Pino, Nik Dodani, and Colton Ryan.
Ultimately the thematic lessons and social commentaries that this story brings up are absolutely worth addressing.
NEGATIVES…
You might have an issue with the general premise and plot progression of this story that could ruin your enjoyment of this movie.
I know it's hard to be completely original, but there is one big plot cliché I would have really preferred didn't happen.
There's a bit of unwelcomed awkwardly tense frustration about a story involving lies.
Angst. Hope you are okay with angst.
Some of the plot threads move either too fast or too slow. Can’t quite get that proper balance.
Then there are the plot threads that aren’t expanded enough for my taste.
Production value seems a little too simple at times. Limits of filming during a pandemic perhaps?
Fans of the musical might complain about the movie not having all the songs from the Broadway show.
Those gay and sex jokes are not as funny as they think, nor where they really necessary.
Sorry Ben Platt, but compared to the other adult actors playing High School kids in this movie, you really do look way too old for the role now.
loveditenjoyedit LIKED IT itsokayitsmehitsterrible
