Wicked, Part 1 2024
I saw the this musical in person many years ago and have listened to at least parts of the soundtrack. I was worried they might mess up the movie, but hopeful. I feel like they delivered on everything except for giving us the whole thing. Instead I am giving this movie a provisional A, but only if the second half supports that. I don't know much of anything about Ariana Grande, but she is fantatic as Galinda: great with the comedy aspects and can really sing. Likewise Cynthia Erivo is absolutely solid with her darker character and can still belt it out. Really nails a lot of the emotional scenes too. Jeff Goldblum make for a great wizard and Michelle Yeoh is always very good. The production is also first rate. The Wizard of Oz allows for amazing design and sets and they really came through with all of that. Plus they have talking CGI animals that I am sure would not be available in a live production. They made great use of what movies and special effects can do to make this succeed as a movie, not just a musical. In fact I wish they had done a little more with some of the dances, but maybe the material doesn't lend itself to that. The movie is a little long and I thought they could have ended it about halfway through and maybe made it a 3-part movie, but the decision to end it where they did was the only sensible thing to do, going out with a huge bang. Looking forward the next chapter.
Written: 14 Dec 2024