Wicked Review

If you have NOT seen the movie, and still want to see it while it’s in theatres – STOP reading right now.

Because those of us who HAVE seen it are going to talk about it right now.  I went to the see Wicked yesterday afternoon and I’m still thinking about it.  There was a LOT in that movie to process.  I think I might need to see it again just for the parts I missed.

The theatre was PACKED!  I’m not sure if it was sold out or not – but I didn’t see any empty seats yesterday afternoon in Sarnia.   There has been a great deal of hype around this movie and a lot of anticipation around it.  This movie was years in the making.  One scene alone took three years to put together.

No computer animation.  All the sets were built to resemble Oz and where they were.  The singing?  There was NO lip-syncing.  They did it all LIVE.  That by itself is amazing. That’s talent.  Plain and simple.

There is a LOT to unpack in this.  I have not read the book and I have not had the chance to see the stage production so I had no expectations from that point of view.  I do know The Wizard of Oz like the back of my hand because I grew up watching it, and shared it with my kids who have all grown to love it.  I love musicals so I was excited about that as well.

How do you even describe it?  Almost three hours in length, there is a lot going on.  Many “easter eggs” – I’m glad I caught a few of them.  From the opening nod to the original font in the logo, to the bikes and the basket, ruby red slippers, yellow brick road, poppies and more.

A message that good isn’t always what it seems, nor is “evil”.   Being different and an outcast doesn’t mean you don’t belong or don’t have purpose or can’t change the world.  Being good or kind isn’t the same as being liked.  Following people blindly because it’s whats popular isn’t always the best way.  Standing up for yourself and your values and integrity is sometimes harder when the majority are going along with what’s popular, but it will be worth it.  Even if that means hurting people along the way. There’s more to life than having all the power, but doing nothing with it.   Don’t be fooled by what you see, you don’t always know the full story.  People are so much more than what you see.  There is always something behind the curtain, so to speak.

Ariana Grande is simply amazing in this movie.  Her vocals are phenomenal and she is funnier than I expected the character to be.  She is incredibly talented.  And as she shares in an interview, for the first time since her first broadway show, she used her FULL NAME in the credits.  A powerful statement in taking back her true self.  Going back to what brings her joy and purpose – acting, and musicals.

Cynthia Erivo – who plays Elphaba – is INCREDIBLE!!!  Her talent is worthy of all the awards.  Such a powerful character.

I loved it.  All of it.  So much to get out of this movie and one of those movies you will want to see again and again.

If you have seen it, I would love to know what you thought.  What did YOU get out of it?  Did you go in thinking it was based on The Wizard of Oz?  Have you read the book or seen the stage performance?  Let me know your favourite parts!

cbuchanan@blackburnmedia.ca

Categorised in: Afternoons

This post was written by Carrie Buchanan