It’s a musical that doesn’t translate well for audiences beyond the United States. I found myself rewatching portions and consulting Wikipedia to understand who everyone was, aside from the more recognizable figures. Based on the promotional materials, it appeared to be an attempt at portraying a Harry Potter-like journey to fame within Hollywood. The cast had diversity, which is usually positive, but they didn't resemble how people actually looked. Historical elements seemed rearranged and inserted for ease of storytelling. Some performances stood out positively—Soo, Groff, and Diggs were strong—while others, like Miranda’s (who was more engaging in *Mary Poppins Returns*), felt lackluster. The filming style was basic; it appeared as though just a handful of cameras were positioned and simply recorded the action. At times, the dance sequences detracted from the experience rather than enhancing it. Character arcs were minimal, with only Soo's character receiving significant development. It could be an excellent stage production, but it falls short as a film—despite what many reviews suggest. As someone unfamiliar with US political history and its key individuals, I struggled to follow along. The cinematography, casting choices, and set design felt uninspired; this had the potential to be something truly cinematic. It also ran far too long...while audiences might anticipate lengthy performances on West End to justify the ticket price, 2 hours and 40 minutes is excessive for a movie. The considerable buzz surrounding it led me to believe it would be exceptional. I was significantly let down.

Source on TMDB