I will admit bias. I listen to the music from time to time, saw the show on Broadway, and get faklempt just seeing the trailer.
I saw it in a smaller theater, in a gentrified Brooklyn neighborhood at the 2nd show on Tuesday. Probably 2/3 of the audience was like me, older, paler and fans.
There has been criticism of the "singing heads" which will probably play extremely well on smaller screens in the future. I felt it put me right in their heads. The style allowed songs to end on the small note, rather than a big Broadway belt. (at the end "Who am I" ...quietly "You're Jean Valjean") The words were much more understandable because you could see their lips move and (pardon me CTUCK) understand the words leaving their lips.
In the original show, you get a feeling that the show is about the revolution. In LESMS, know that the focus is Jean Valjean. Yes there are characters that sworl around him, but he is the driving force.
I read on these pages that some HSX ers didn't like the idea of this kind of opera/musical. All I can say is that I hope they can see it with an open mind.
ABE was excellent and grabbed you. LIFPI is excellent and is a beuatiful telling of a good story. LESMS just grabs and does not let go. It is long, but is there anyone who felt....geesh let me out of here? I don't think so.
Anyway, this film version will be living on for years. THOOP has given us a gem.