{"id":7376,"date":"2021-06-10T16:44:50","date_gmt":"2021-06-10T23:44:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/?p=7376"},"modified":"2021-06-10T16:50:53","modified_gmt":"2021-06-10T23:50:53","slug":"in-the-heights-wonderful-feel-good-summer-movie-with-great-music-dancing-and-storyline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/2021\/in-the-heights-wonderful-feel-good-summer-movie-with-great-music-dancing-and-storyline\/","title":{"rendered":"In the Heights * Wonderful Feel Good Summer Movie with Great Music, Dancing and Storyline"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Intheheights.poster.jpg?resize=137%2C201&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7389\" width=\"137\" height=\"201\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>In the Heights<\/em> centers on a variety of characters living in the neighborhood of Washington Heights, on the northern tip of Manhattan. At the center of the show is Usnavi, a bodega owner who looks after the aging Cuban lady next door, pines for the gorgeous girl working in the neighboring beauty salon and dreams of winning the lottery and escaping to the shores of his native Dominican Republic. Meanwhile, Nina, a childhood friend of Usnavi&#8217;s, has returned to the neighborhood from her first year at college with surprising news for her parents, who have spent their life savings on building a better life for their daughter. Ultimately, Usnavi and the residents of the close-knit neighborhood get a dose of what it means to be home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Katherine S. comments, \u201cDid you love the musical <em>In the Heights <\/em>and want more? Well, your wish has come true and you can have more because <em>In the Heights<\/em> is now a movie! It has the same great soundtrack and is even more action packed.\u201d See her full review below. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the Heights<br>By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bS5EsisVhTc?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Intheheights.b.jpg?resize=225%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7390\" width=\"225\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Intheheights.b.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Intheheights.b.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Intheheights.b.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Intheheights.b.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><figcaption><br>Caption: Behind the scenes on Warner Bros. Pictures\u2019 \u201cIN THE HEIGHTS,\u201d  Copyright: \u00a9 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.<br><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Did you love the musical <em>In the Heights <\/em>and want more? Well, your wish has come true and you can have more because <em>In the Heights<\/em> is now a movie! It has the same great soundtrack and is even more action packed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>In the Heights<\/em> is about Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), a bodega owner, and his disappearing neighborhood in New York City, specifically Washington Heights. Small businesses are moving away; people are leaving; and Usnavi is going back to his home in the Dominican Republic to help his family. What will happen when Usnavi leaves?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This movie is based on the book by Quiara Alegria Hudes and musical, with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda &#8211; both titled with the same name. The music is phenomenal and very memorable because it makes you want to get up and dance. While writing this review, I still have all the songs stuck in my head. &nbsp;Lin-Manuel Miranda also plays the Piragua Guy. Along with the music, the choreography is outstanding, particularly the group choreography &#8211; a mix of hip-hop and Latinx styles. Everyone is in sync and energetic. The scenes are very detailed, artistic and beautiful, with so much color. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Intheheights.a.jpg?resize=225%2C127&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7388\" width=\"225\" height=\"127\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Intheheights.a.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Intheheights.a.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Intheheights.a.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Intheheights.a.jpg?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><figcaption>Choreographer CHRISTOPHER SCOTT (center) \u201cIN THE HEIGHTS,\u201d Copyright: \u00a9 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The acting is beyond amazing and every character is so believable and loveable. Anthony Ramos, as Usnavi, stands out and seems very genuine. Melissa Barrera, as Vanessa, shows so much perseverance for her dreams. Leslie Grace\u2019s Nina is passionate as she deals with her character\u2019s conflicts. My favorite character is Abuela Claudia because she is so loving to all, and she reminds us to have <em>paciencia y fe<\/em> (patience and faith). The characters speak Spanish at times during the film, so it helps if you have some knowledge of the Spanish language, but it\u2019s not essential to enjoying the movie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The main message is that sue\u00f1itos (little dreams) aren\u2019t always easy; you have to work for them. <em>In the Heights<\/em> addresses some serious topics like attending college and dealing with racial bias as a minority. This movie has some profanity and suggestive references.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Intheheights.f.jpg?resize=225%2C95&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7379\" width=\"225\" height=\"95\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Intheheights.f.jpg?resize=300%2C126&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Intheheights.f.jpg?resize=1024%2C429&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Intheheights.f.jpg?resize=768%2C322&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Intheheights.f.jpg?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><figcaption>(Center l-r) DASCHA POLANCO as Cuca, DAPHNE RUBIN-VEGA as Daniela and STEPHANIE BEATRIZ as Carla in Warner Bros. Pictures\u2019 \u201cIN THE HEIGHTS,\u201d Copyright: \u00a9 2021 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Katherine2021.jpg?resize=136%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13\" class=\"wp-image-7399\" width=\"136\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Katherine2021.jpg?resize=271%2C300&amp;ssl=1 271w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Katherine2021.jpg?resize=924%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 924w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Katherine2021.jpg?resize=768%2C851&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Katherine2021.jpg?w=1158&amp;ssl=1 1158w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 136px) 100vw, 136px\" \/><figcaption>Katherine S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>I give\u00a0<em>In the Heights<\/em>\u00a05 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. It is available in theaters or on HBO Max June 11, 2021<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the Heights centers on a variety of characters living in the neighborhood of Washington Heights, on the northern tip of Manhattan. At the center of the show is Usnavi, a bodega owner who looks after the aging Cuban lady next door, pines for the gorgeous girl working in the neighboring beauty salon and dreams of winning the lottery and escaping to the shores of his native Dominican Republic. Meanwhile, Nina, a childhood friend of Usnavi&#8217;s, has returned to the neighborhood from her first year at college with surprising news for her parents, who have spent their life savings on building a better life for their daughter. Ultimately, Usnavi and the residents of the close-knit neighborhood get a dose of what it means to be home. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Katherine S. comments, \u201cDid you love the musical In the Heights and want more? Well, your wish has come true and you can have more because In the Heights is now a movie! It has the same great soundtrack and is even more action packed.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[15],"tags":[3464,3451,3453,3455,3460,3458,3462,3457,3459,3454,3450,3456,63,3463,3452,3461,111,3465],"class_list":["post-7376","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-feature-film-reviews","tag-alex-wong","tag-alice-brooks","tag-anthony-ramos","tag-ariana-greenblatt","tag-chris-jackson","tag-corey-hawkins","tag-daphne-rubin-vega","tag-dascha-planco","tag-daymien-valentino","tag-jimmy-smits","tag-jon-m-chu","tag-leslie-grace","tag-lin-manuel-miranda","tag-marc-anthony","tag-melissa-barrera","tag-olga-merediz","tag-stephanie-beatriz","tag-valery-lessard"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paS5I2-1UY","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7376","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7376"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7376\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7402,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7376\/revisions\/7402"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7376"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7376"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7376"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}