Wicked (2024 film)

[Jake S]

It’s one review, from someone who clearly knows nothing about what Wicked’s message is, and will probably eat crow when the second part releases and it all pays off.

yes! blame the voters reviewers!

 

[Evan]

yes! blame the voters reviewers!

Reviewers / reviews are allowed to be criticized, but as I said, it’s one review. Who cares? The vast majority appear to be fully onboard, and I’ve seen many I trust state the two parts work, and this first part is brilliant.

Can’t wait to see it tomorrow !

 

[Viator]

Seeing it today (11/20/24), genuinely buzzed to see how they do this.

 

[Lucky Planet]

This is the problem with making it two 2.5 hour parts and not advertising at all the fact that this is only part one. I mean, I’m sure the reviewers know that, but those plot points pay off hard in the second act, which is now a completely separate movie instead of the second half of one show. Even if you know there’s a second part, you’re only reviewing the story up to the end of act 1 so these things just seem like throwaway filler.

the exact thing happened with the miles Morales Spider-Man movie, ends with cliffhanger, and now we won't even know when it's coming out ( it was postponed) and then you're just left hanging lol

 

[Jerroddragon]

the exact thing happened with the miles Morales Spider-Man movie, ends with cliffhanger, and now we won't even know when it's coming out ( it was postponed) and then you're just left hanging lol

Correct me if I’m wrong but Spider-verse 2 is kinda the perfect example
Most reviewers didn’t care it has a cliff hanger the film was amazing and was reviewed as such

Like at the time you can fault empire strikes back but years later it’s considered the best one for many of the OT Star Wars films.

But generally most reviews seem to love it, I’ve seen a review of someone who never saw the play and they still enjoyed it.

But once a reviewer isn’t firm with the songs, honestly that’s one person opinion but I love the songs so while it’s interesting to see another’s thoughts but it’s like hearing someone talk about a fast and furious film but not like cars…

But most people are going to enjoy this film, not everyone but the play is well written with many many fun lyrics and lines that play into characters future fates for those watching a second or 60th time, along with a pretty sound plot with the great music, some funny lines and from all the trailers and scenes I’ve seen looking very much like what I imagined happened during the play.

Anyway, I hope people do enjoy it and just have fun and also people make up their own mind when seeing it, really the films impact on yourself is what’s most important over what the metric is.

 

[Legacy]

Some reviewers though really really really miss the plot.

This review highlights some of the issues I have with the musical itself, as compared to the book(s). The musical cut so much of the dark, radicalizing, political intrigue from the book that the show becomes a completely different thing. (Nevermind that Nessa becomes a tyrannical autocrat prone to religious zealotry once she takes over Munchkinland.) Pulling more from the book was vital to expand the movie, and Animal-rights story is the most important, character-driven plot in the book. However, it’s tonally counter to the Elphaba/Galinda which drives the musical (and DOESN’T drive the book). Again, the book is driven by Elpheba’s radicalization and scapegoating. Fixing was always going to be an intrinsic challenge to the movie.

 

[Collin]

This review highlights some of the issues I have with the musical itself, as compared to the book(s). The musical cut so much of the dark, radicalizing, political intrigue from the book that the show becomes a completely different thing. (Nevermind that Nessa becomes a tyrannical autocrat prone to religious zealotry once she takes over Munchkinland.) Pulling more from the book was vital to expand the movie, and Animal-rights story is the most important, character-driven plot in the book. However, it’s tonally counter to the Elphaba/Galinda which drives the musical (and DOESN’T drive the book). Again, the book is driven by Elpheba’s radicalization and scapegoating. Fixing was always going to be an intrinsic challenge to the movie.

That review didn't understand the movie. I can't say much without spoiling, but there's no world in which you can remove any of the stuff mentioned. Everything is woven together to impact the other.

 

[Viator]

Im being deliberately blunt when I say this: go see Wicked. Already booked a ticket to see it again, loved it immensely.

 

[Jerroddragon]

Very fun film

Will share more thoughts tomorrow but loved the film

The longer length of the finale is a blessing for characters but kinda slows the pacing so it’s got pros and cons

All the actors killed it

New song is well sung but definitely not in my top 5 songs of this film

Ariana Grande Was born for this role, both hilarious and an amazing singer

Definitely met my expectation in many many wags…but wild robot might still be my favorite film or the year

But it’s worth while to see on the big screen

 

[Evan]

Run, don’t walk. Run. This is everything.

I’ve been a Wicked stan since I was a young teen. This is everything I could have wanted. I can’t wait for next year!

 

[quinnmac000]

Run, don’t walk. Run. This is everything.

I think I'll try defying gravity first.

 

[UNIrd]

As a fan of the musical since I first saw it on Broadway in 2003, I thought it was a perfect movie. No notes.

 

[Eckert]

If this is the smash hit that everyone is making it out to be, I hope Universal takes it and runs with in the parks. It's been a long time since they've had a financially successful movie that was actually good AND park friendly (sorry Oppenheimer).

 

[Mad Dog]

Looking like this may be even more successful than the high success Universal anticipated. If it assumes lofty status, I'd bet Universal makes room for it somewhere in the Orlando parks, even if it comes at the expense of something projected for an area that final approval hasn't been made.

 

[Jerroddragon]

So some extended thought's I'll put below with Spoiler tags. I do think this movie is Wonderful but...I can't say its perfect. I think it was very very well done and for sure they could have made this so much worst but still think there are some things with talking about good and bad

Spoiler

So I think the added scenes are both a blessing and curse, at times they slow things down but they do provide just extra moments for main and side characters to get a look more into these people.

For example a little scene of just the gang of the 4 main people hanging out without Elphaba and its just nice to see that they are friends

We also draw out scenes like Elphaba dancing alone, if your love that cool. I think it was just a little long and not really sure if I'm a fan of Glinda trying to stop her from going out there...I really don't think it was needed but I'm not going to say I hate it just think it was unnecessary\

I am how ever happy they took out the scene with the lion being tortured, I just didn't need to see that close up.

Now the extra moments and conversations with Fiyero and ElphabaI think these were great additions and made their relationship stronger.

Madame Morrible and The Wizard are amazing casting but....there is a catch I do think while they are amazing as the characters we can all admit they were not the best choices for singing, I'm pretty sure even Michelle Yeoh said she was not the best singer. Anyway its not a big deal but just something to point out. Jeff Goldblum an amazing Wizard, he just kills it but singing wise...yeah but once again doesn't ruin the movie but when people say its perfect....I just see things I don't get how you can say this was Perfect when they had choices that were good in one way but in other's were as strong as the musical.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo just killed it...and I would say this film has two leads and I do not see Arianaas a supporting actress like how they are going to push this film...she is a star with Cynthia.

Also Young Elphaba was just the cutest.

Also new song was fine...but yeah not as deep as many other songs. I did love the Cameo's but I hope any new songs in part two are better.


Lastly lets talk the themes of the film and what I find to be just a weird behind the scenes stuff.

First Drama but the fact that Ariana Grande is now with the Boq actor on so many levels seems so wrong and just...yeah weird. Like is she into him because in the movie she is not into him at all? Secondly to play Glinda who in act two is depressed over her love not loving her any more and in real life...to be apart of someone leaving a wife and baby...I don't know just kinda insane and it's why I could not be an actor because Ariana clearly understands Glinda but then to just be so callusin real life...I would love to hear someone with a degree in psychology talk about this situation

Next onto the message or at least what I get from the film. The Villain is of coruse the Wizard for pitting humans and anaimals againt each other....and like this has happened since the dawn of humans but its so werid to me knowing millions are going to watch this film and be on Elphabaside and see through the wizards lies but in real life....sadly most people want the verion of life the Wizard presents which is give them a good enemy to hate and ignore the real causes of pain and stuggling in life. I hope at least a few people understand the message and kinda wake up but sadly most will sing these songs as fun and not think of the deeper meaning...I hope I'm wrong but...always funny to me whenbig films comes out with a message that is powerful but refused to change their mindset or lives even a little over it....anyway

I enjoyed the film and its great to amazing. I think the sets, costumes and muscial parts are the best parts and really excited to see Thank Godness and For Good, I think they are going to knock those out.

 

[Lucky Planet]

If this is the smash hit that everyone is making it out to be, I hope Universal takes it and runs with in the parks. It's been a long time since they've had a financially successful movie that was actually good AND park friendly (sorry Oppenheimer).

please PLEASE replace the Fallon ride or fast and furious.
leave the exact same ride systems but just replace the video with wicked

 

[Viator]

If this is the smash hit that everyone is making it out to be, I hope Universal takes it and runs with in the parks. It's been a long time since they've had a financially successful movie that was actually good AND park friendly (sorry Oppenheimer).

The big takeaway that I felt was the practicality and the feeling of the immersion that it brought. It felt tactile and felt like something I can see translated immensely well.

I also think this absolutely needs to be a themed land for the parks. Be if it's the next expansion for USH or UOR (or if they have it for Great Britain); Wicked from just Part 1 checks a lot of the boxes. Especially in how inviting the Emerald City feels in the context of adapting that.

___
Taking the time to absorb things a bit more, Jonathan Bailey and Cynthia Erivo were absolute highlights; but the one that broke out was Ariana. I knew she had done TV because of Nick, but I didn't expect her to have as good of a ability to play a character like Glinda. I also think this film is going to win a ton of technical awards.

 

[Jerroddragon]

I don't know if the area is big enough or worth it....but you could for sure redo the French Area at USH and put a new restaurant in where the VIP dinning is/the little cafe at the end. It would only be for photo's, meet and greets and food and shopping but could be done and the court yard coullllllld be redone a little to still be very nice but also have a street show where they sing some of the songs there

Not ideal but unless Universal wants to wait 5+ years to add it to USH then I don't see any other options unless they decide not to make the Simpsons land into Pokemon/Nintendo....which could happen but besides the Pokemon Project I don't see any other option besides rethemeing the French street to Wicked that would work for Hollywood

 

[Collin]

I want...
Munchkinland - with shops and stands like Galaxy's Edge
Shiz - Dining & Boat Ride
Emerald City - Dark Ride, Show, Shops & Dining
There's another location that comes in part two I'd like to see but idk what do with it yet.

 

[Viator]

I don't know if the area is big enough or worth it....but you could for sure redo the French Area at USH and put a new restaurant in where the VIP dinning is/the little cafe at the end. It would only be for photo's, meet and greets and food and shopping but could be done and the court yard coullllllld be redone a little to still be very nice but also have a street show where they sing some of the songs there

Not ideal but unless Universal wants to wait 5+ years to add it to USH then I don't see any other options unless they decide not to make the Simpsons land into Pokemon/Nintendo....which could happen but besides the Pokemon Project I don't see any other option besides rethemeing the French street to Wicked that would work for Hollywood

See I think you could make the Emerald City something close to Wizarding Paris. The scale and spectacle that they display in the film, alongside the scenarios that happen in Part 1 makes it feel distinctly prime for something special as a themed land. If all else, to see an E-Ticket where you could have Creature Tech find a way to make the "All Powerful Oz" setpiece worth it.

Wicked's biggest strength to me is how it draws you into the world and shows the physicality melding in unison. I also think if you can somehow have a ride that can have "Defying Gravity" like how Disney uses Let it Go, it would be a boon.