I can't believe I'm going to say this about WICKED - review

[@micahwilliams1449]

89% Rotten tomatoes, 98% audience score. WHAT A TWIST

[@caboose759]

I'm really glad you made this review because I was absolutely on the same boat. Not that I want to go out of this way to watch this movie, but my wife does and I want to spend time with her. And it helps knowing that this movie won't be a complete dumpster fire

[@monkemonkerson5620]

I'm only going to see it because the missus loves these kind of musically driven movies. But she watches a lot of my "guy" films with me, so tit for tat.

[@Legerine]

The Lady needs to make more appearances more often.

[@acheron16]

This is why I value Shad's (and his lovely wife's) reviews. He can take a show and judge it on its merits, to be as unbiased as possible.

[@Zmon3595]

It’s true he’s pretty unbiased about most movies and games I’m pretty sure this stems from him being a sober minded Australian

[@AnimeSquirrel]

​@@Zmon3595 I thought he was a New Zealander.

[@Crackelacker]

​@@AnimeSquirrel I'm pretty sure he is from Victoria

[@Mailed-Knight]

@@Crackelacker Ballarat to be specific, I'm from the town next to his.

[@Señor-Donjusticia]

You’re still married?!?! But I don’t have object permanence! I thought the Lady ceased to exist whenever I wasn’t hearing her voice and seeing her avatar!

[@WillFredward7167]

Peekaboo can be a devilishly difficult skill to master. Don’t give up!

[@Zoddlander]

Honesty is one of the things I like and what I respect about this channel! And Shad can deliver on that! Wicked is not a movie made for me, and that is fine too! Some people have a different taste than me and that is ok! I'm happy that people can find enjoyment in things even if I can't! Fans of this should get to have their fun! Let them! BTW Shad! After watching all of the Twilight movies I still don't like them! Sorry!

[@WillStopka]

Shad's wife not realizing she sat there watching the movie for hours and wanted more is a great sign

[@littlejimmy7402]

Much respect for Your integrity. Thanks for the review, when and if the Wife wants to see it She's going to have a much easier sale thanks to Your review.

[@racheljames7]

Put your foot down and tell her to go and see it with her female friends.

[@littlejimmy7402]

Nah, I'm good with the Randy Marsh method.

[@Brentisimo]

I respect Shad’s professional integrity as well as The Lady’s perspective in this review. Wicked isn’t my type of movie, but I shared Shad’s review with my wife in case she’s interested in it.

[@JustTooDamnHonest]

The Lady has returned and it is so good to hear from her.

[@RevanR]

Honestly It is fine to say "Well its not my things" and move on rather than ragged on this movie

[@bobdole3804]

@@RevanR If anyone does it's the actresses fault and to be fair I do take those reviews as long as it's stated why. I hate when people dismiss when someone rates something poorly because the company or the service was terrible even if the product itself was fine I do want to know what kind of person I'm giving money too.

[@ephraimwinslow]

...What? "It's fine"? Are you arguing that not criticizing bad art is a good thing, or that criticism itself is bad? ...Or is just that you're a saccharine person who responds automatically to any kind of mockery or negativity with anxiousness because you're bad at *withstanding* mockery or negativity?

[@Space_Drifter0621]

@@ephraimwinslow Are YOU arguing it? Art is SUBJECTIVE, so somrthing you think is horrible might be seen as great by others and vice versa. As for criticism, as long as it is constructive and not just "you suck at it stop" I'd say there's nothing wrong with it

[@Likexner]

@@Space_Drifter0621 Criticism doesnt have to be constructive in order to be valid or useful.

[@Space_Drifter0621]

@@Likexner Could you expand on the useful part?

[@snappertrx]

I wouldn't be surprised if the film itself was pretty good because it's based on a smash hit play, loved by many. Now, I've seen neither, but I would assume that, so long as they don't deviate from the play too much and the performances are good its practically one of those "how can you screw this up" kind of situations. It's not a movie for me (and I've never seen the stage play), but I'm not surprised at it being "not bad".

[@ephraimwinslow]

Y'know what else is a smash hit play, with the same damn audience? CATS. Do not assume things that are popular with women are popular because of their high quality. It is a losing bet.

[@snappertrx]

@ephraimwinslow C'mon man. By quality I mean "as close to the original as possible", I'm not comparing it to Shakespeare! 😆

[@stefannydvorak7919]

​@ephraimwinslow What's with the woman bashing? As if men don't enjoy entertainment that isn't top tier quality. Let Michael Bay direct a movie with cringe dialog, but lots of explosions and hot half naked women...the men are gonna flock to that. Or the vast majority of The Rock's movie repertoire. Pure cinema slop, but the boys are always there for their favorite alpha male. If I were to declare that if men like something, it's probably of poor quality, you'd declare me as a man-hating feminist. By the way, "Cats" the stage musical was popular with families. It's because it's a very accessible musical with fun costumes, high energy choreography and stage direction, catchy songs and a plot that isn't too hard to follow for children. Yet the movie completely flopped and was not loved by anyone, women included.

[@ephraimwinslow]

@@stefannydvorak7919 It's cute how when you're triggered? You'll automatically ask 5-6 breathless rhetorical questions, hoping against hope that one of them will be answered directly -- therefore validating that it wasn't silly... and giving you a green light to continue soapboxing about... whatever. (And y'know what's really interesting? All your girlfriends have that same quirk. Totally by coincidence.)

[@snappertrx]

@@stefannydvorak7919 Pointing out women's bad taste in movies isn't excusing mens bad taste in movies. White knighting in the comments is pretty weird, man.

[@thedudeabides2531]

I pretty much separate the personal life and thoughts of the actor/actress from their performance. You'll only end up disliking 99% of films and tv shows if you let your politics and distaste for them in real life get in the way.

[@cluckcluckchicken]

Wicked proves why we should separate art from the artist. The cast and crew are crazy, but the movie itself is GREAT!

[@artyjnrii]

BTW Shad, Arianna Grande started her career on Broadway in a musical, then on Nickelodeon as an actress, so it's not surprising she's a decent actor.

[@Ramondorez]

I always find it weird that people aren't aware of this, having grown up watching Victorious on occasion.

[@JosThoSul]

She played a total ditz in Victorious as well.

[@JosThoSul]

Catarina "Cat" Valentine. The comic relief, airhead character.

[@tomaszwota1465]

@@Ramondorez Man, for the longest time I didn't even know who this Ariana Grande was, couldn't tell her apart from anyone else in the crowd. Then I saw her doing impressions of singers that one time, that was cool. Still couldn't name or even hum a single song of hers. She might be famous around the people watching her on Nickelodeon, but for a lot of people all those starlets are just that. Now, it does look she's got actual talent and put work into developing her skills. But I still don't know a single song of hers. Why would I know anything about her early career? ;)

[@Not_Soundwave]

Agreed with the Lady on the book. I've actually read it twice (once when it was a Christmas gift, the second time last month so I could pull comparisons to the movie). If the movie was made as an adaptation to the book, it would've been super cynical and very boring. (For example, Elphaba's magic is so subtle you'd think she's not magical at all.) It has a bit more sociopolitical focus at times to try and create its own fanfiction background history of Oz. So, as someone who read the book but didn't see the play, I still think the movie did a good job on its own. Edit essay addition bc I realized with rose's comment that I ought to give more context to what I mean when I say a book-to-movie adaptation would have been cynical and boring. Obvious spoilers ahead! When reading the book, you kind of forget you're supposed to be in Oz. It doesn't feel like the fairy tale world we expect. Magic itself is not very prominent and seems to be getting stamped out. Elphaba grows up hating the world because the world tells her from the moment she's born that she is an imp [the other word that starts with a D tends to get my comments removed? thanks youtube]. She understands this hate received before she learns to talk. She becomes the atheist in a religious household. She doesn't believe she has a soul. In fact, somewhere in the book I believe her deepest wish (though she would deny it) is to have a soul, not to aid the Animals. She's a cynic and a spitfire through and through, not the mildly optimistic lady we see in the movie. The question "Is wickedness inherited, or is it thrust upon you?" makes so much more sense in the book. Elphaba seems to fall into the latter where the Wizard is the former, but only one of them is publicly deemed as inherently sinful. The movie at least gets that message across, but not the same way the book does. If this movie was adapted from the book instead of the play, I could see average moviegoers disliking it on the basis that this is supposed to be _the wonderful land of Oz._ There's nothing that would have made it feel wonderful other than the Animals, and even then it's hard to make talking animals with professional jobs in a human-dominant society feel wonderful when they're facing actual oppression. In the book they aren't even magicked into their power of speech being removed; they can still talk but are forced into the same caste as their non-verbal kin. The Wicked book has a completely different tone from its original 1900 source material, so I am _very_ glad the movie stuck more to the play. There are some things visually from the book I wish they'd kept since it's Hollywood and they'd have the budget for it, but eh... Maybe it would have confused the theater kids to suddenly see Nessarose armless or Fiyero with a bunch of blue diamond tattoos.

[@rosemartasgaminghoard]

What's wrong with sociopolitical stuff though? Game of Thrones is political as heck and people loved it.

[@Not_Soundwave]

@@rosemartasgaminghoard I didn't mean to intend it was a bad thing, just wanted to state that it has more spotlight in the book than the movie. That, and philosophy.

[@dianevierra781]

Thanks for giving a review with integrity, Shad. And shout out to the Lady!

[@aaronimp4966]

Shad: "Vain, ditzy... self-absorbed... Alright? This is actually a really difficult character to make likable." Also Shad: *Writes Daylen*

[@RobAryeeArc]

Thank you sir and lady.

[@richardsanchez5444]

Fair enough. Even if shad and everyone i watch on KZbin loved the movie and sang its praises, i still wouldn't watch it. Just not my type of movie. And i do agree about separating the actor from the role. Like Metatron says attack the argument not the individual. The actors might be shtty people, but the roles they portrayed, the characters that were there before they embodied the character is what i focus on im watching the movie as a whole not the person playing the character.

[@ZM-jb6gc]

Why did Shad see Wicked? (married) Oooooohhhh of course.

[@GeekNewz]

I like the musical, haven't watched the movie yet. All I had against the movie before now was the fear they'll ruin it, the trailer spoiling way too much of the plot, and the lead actress being, as Shad would say, a cow

[@jhoughjr1]

I only saw a trailer today and it didnt feel like it spoiled anything. I wasn't super absorbed in it though so I could be wrong.

[@GeekNewz]

@@jhoughjr1 I saw only one trailer, it was played as an ad before another movie and it pretty much covered the plot bit by bit in order

[@szymonwisniewski6163]

I saw the movie yesterday and compared to the whole movie, trailer shows only the tiniest bit of it. For me as Wicked fan, this movie is all I could ask for, can't wait for the part 2

[@GeekNewz]

@@szymonwisniewski6163 I just watched the movie and I couldn't agree more. Maybe the trailer felt like it spoiled stuff because I know the plot

[@TBear93]

Shad-"Guys can like it" Me- "Yeah, we know the gays exist Shad" lmao

[@SpiderboyN2Jesus]

I mean, I'm straight and I love musicals. Granted, this isn't exactly one of my favorites, but I found the stage version enjoyable enough... aside from the moral concerns about the Wizard which I share with Shad. I don't even mind the concept, but I just feel like they didn't really do much with it. Oddly enough, from what I've heard about the book, I feel like I'd probably enjoy it more. As, while it does seem to go off the deep end with the dark themes, it at least seems to embrace the themes more, rather than trying to have it's cake and eat it too, imo 🤷‍♂.

[@crapsound]

It seems like it did well for its target audience. So...I say it's a win for the movie.

[@DianeCee57]

Nope not interested in either this or Gladiator II.

[@don.keebles]

I was debating to see Gladiator 2 with my wife but we ended up staying home and I'm Glad-I-Ate-her instead.

[@jaernihiltheus7817]

A big thing that helps Ariana's performance here is that she's been pretty consistent over the years that the Wicked version of G(a)linda The Good has been her favorite fictional character since she saw the musical at 10 years old. So she has a very deep love and respect for the character and was determined to get the performance right because of it.

[@archercolin6339]

I had the honour of meeting The Lady at the UK Shad meet-up last year, when she was taking photos. (She wasn't a Lebprachaun at the time, though...)

[@andrewjames954]

Any reviewer that says it’s a “girl” movie and it’s not for me is not someone that should review movies. I’m sorry. That strikes at credibility and it shows that viewers are not going to get a review that will provide them a holistic view of a movie. People complain about critics, but at least they have some type of understanding and appreciation for the medium they critiquing.

[@EastyyBlogspot]

Tbh the whole...taking a classic well known evil villain and trying to make them sympathetic is just something I do not like and trying to rewrite classic stories because of that. Sometimes evil people are just evil

[@KopperNeoman]

It's one of those things that was brilliant the first time, interesting the second, then quickly became subversive.

[@bobdole3804]

I wouldn't mind if you just embraced it but in order to sell merchandise and be on the "right side" of culture they feel they have to make the main character likable. I wish it was ok to go 40k and just have situations where either no one is redeemable or the "bad guy" ultimately wins.

[@ephraimwinslow]

@@KopperNeoman Subversive means you were delivered the opposite of what was expected. The term you're looking for is cliche.

[@wrongthinker843]

@@KopperNeoman No, moral relativism was never brilliant.

[@marhawkman303]

@@wrongthinker843 When done by a competent intelligent writer... it can work. It's the hacks who give it a bad name by doing random edge-lord crap. The simplest way is simply looking at it from the PoV of "good for who?" For a quick example: A king wants to do a nice thing for the many orphans in his kingdom, so he collects funds from his people to build a nice orphanage to house them. Then notices the number of orphans is going UP... not down. Why? well the orphans have a better quality of life than the children of the peasants. so some particularly poor peasants... have been sending their children to the orphanage so that they can have a more comfortable life. So how is that moral relativism? It's simple, to build the orphanage the king needed a lot of money... and his royal coffers couldn't fund building it and maintaining it and feeding and housing all the people working there. So, he had to levy rather hefty taxes to pay for it. The end result being the taxes are creating too much of a financial burden on the poor for them to be able to care for their OWN children. The idea sounded great... but.... the end result was terrible. It's a legit reason for people to both praise AND vilify the same king.

[@thebrowneyesofmandalore]

Lovely to hear from The Lady Shad 😅 I haven’t seen the movie nor have I seen the full Broadway. Yet I’m very familiar with the story and unwantingly even more familiar with the songs (which aren’t too bad) as I have siblings that were very into it. Personally I love the Wizard of Oz. But the whole idea and premise of having a prequel story to it, much less a “sympathize with the villain” kind of tale really doesn’t interest me. It just seems so unnecessary to an already perfect story. I know there’s many who love Wicked but I personally don’t feel it should even exist. 🤷‍♂️ sorry wicked fans.

[@OceanbornAngel]

I have no problem with Ariana Grande. I mean infidelity is a thing. People make mistakes all the time. What counts is not what you did in the past, what matters is what you're doing in the present. My forgiveness extends to Miss Erivo too. All I want is for this movie to respect the musical because I LOVE the musical.

[@ericv00]

I don't know why you are shocked. The play existed forever and was reasonably good. (Just not entertainment for my disposition) On a side note, "homewrecker" has no meaning as a criticism. There are always 2 or more people responsible for ruining a family dynamic, and the more responsible party is always the one who had a relationship obligation. Men, as a whole, are not incapable of restraint and honor.

[@ponyboy316]

What made her really special was she could cast magic without a conduit (wand), which was then undone when Yo's character changed the weather without a wand.

[@HattaTHEZulZILLA86]

I still won't watch it, why? When you keep giving money to these people, it will just enable them to keep behaving like such entitled divas. Remember, being famous means that you MUST MAINTAIN a good public image. WHY would I want to reward someone for their bad behavior?

[@thadisturbedone1606]

Reward their good behavior so they keep it up

[@erenhypen4718]

you're one person lol another person will watch this twice or more and your count will be invalid. you're insignificant

[@HattaTHEZulZILLA86]

@@thadisturbedone1606 Sadly, they didn't display any.

[@thadisturbedone1606]

@@HattaTHEZulZILLA86 Hollywood in general or just the people who made this movie?

[@SerAvaros]

@@erenhypen4718it’s not just one person

[@smurf902]

I've seen the Bway show 2x. I was stunned and very happy that Cynthia performed this so well. It's really touching and made me emotional. Ariana I feel did the best she could but I had a very dry audience of only 8 other people on a Monday mid afternoon, no reaction whatsoever to any of her lines. One tiny little tiniest bit of half a laugh. For me, she was not good. Also the extended popular number was too much. She looked like a robot just dancing around. But that's the character. She's vapid with no feeling except when it comes to her roommate.

[@WillFredward7167]

The best description I’ve heard compared this film to Thai food. You either like the genre, in which case you’ll love it, or you don’t, in which case there’s no point. It knows what it is and who it’s for. I don’t plan on seeing it. But unlike a ton of other modern movies, I don’t actively pity those who do.

[@borgtennis]

Glad you liked it! 1. The poster controversy was legit! The poster from the musical, we do not see her eyes only her grin, we can only assume what she is thinking. Who is the protagonist who is the antagonist? The title... pure wit! 2. Yes men can love this movie. Musicians, composers, artists etc. they don't have to be gay, and love a good sword fight too! 3. There is much development in the characters through the songs and they are gems ! Popular ! Defying Gravity (heroes's journey or goal) 4. This is woke before there was woke, subversion but done right. We root for the outcast, she fights the patriarchy, however she still falls in love with a men. Both friends do not have a lesbian relationship!

[@th3n3wk1dd]

I enjoy all your takes, politically and even non-political. HOWEVER.. if you have never seen the musical and this was your first time being introduced to Wicked. I can see your apprehension. That said. I too do not care for the actresses as "people" BUT I was told it stayed pretty close to the source material that was created back in the early 2000's. and I LOVED the music. So. I was extremely excited for Wicked to come out theatrically. I love musicals and this gets a slot as a new top ten. Sorry, that's just how I feel. But I'm a musical guy so it is what it is.

[@jonsummers3453]

I agree with the wizard thinking Alphaba would go along with him is weird from our perspective, but I do think there are some factors that could explain it within the world setting. First, there is a history of munchkins being a very persuadable people and filled with “beta” personalities that are extremely loyal to their leaders. The fact that everyone swoons over Glinda, the prince, governor, head mistress of the school, and especially the wizard himself, and will do anything to get in their good graces shows this trait. Even Glinda ultimately doesn’t want to openly go against the Wizard simply because of his elite social status, even though it means leaving her best friend. The wizard likely assumed Alphy would ultimately react the same way every other munchkin has in the past and prioritize social status over personal values (once they learn his position). Also, since he plays with puppets all day, never leaves his palace, is extremely self-absorbed, and spends all his days in an echo chamber, reinforces this blind spot.

[@bjlbernal]

The plot of Wicked is that the story told in The Wizard of Oz is the lie of 'history is told by the victors.' And villains are not born but created through oppression and maltreatment.

[@highflyer3353]

His only strife is that Robert Pattinson isn't in it.

[@spyrofrost9158]

Sparkly Warlock Boy Toy?

[@sup3414]

PaTTINson*

[@highflyer3353]

@sup3414 oh cheers

[@Emppu_T.]

Nice to hear the missus. I'm not particularly interested, but if im roped into it again. Perhaps

[@racheljames7]

Put your foot down and say no. Tell your woman to go and see it with her female friends.

[@Zayphar]

I respect you for your honesty. Good review.

[@ephraimwinslow]

"I am a child murderer." "I respect your candor, sir!"

[@Zayphar]

@@ephraimwinslow "I respect your candor, sir!...You're under arrest. Place your hands behind your back." - - - "I respect your candor, sir!...but I don't like this movie." - - - Not quite the same thing. You think? Yeah, not the same thing. But thanks for playing! Next contestant...

[@ephraimwinslow]

@@Zayphar If you look directly upward? You'll see the point traveling overhead.

[@Zayphar]

@@ephraimwinslow Could you translate that into English? I am afraid I don't speak gibberish.

[@ephraimwinslow]

@@Zayphar Tell me you're bad at reading comprehension without sayin' it.

[@MartinCHorowitz]

Ariana Grande Started as an actress on Nickelodeon , on several shows. The Network spun off several actresses as singers. She just kept going with the singing.

[@emk3485]

Solid review and glad The Lady was there to lend her female perspective- I also adore good costumes. I loved, loved musicals growing up but never jumped on the Wicked bandwagon. It might make a good watch some cold and rainy night. 😊

[@ab-gail]

I figured it would be like this. The musical is beloved for a reason and made before wokeness became this aggressive. Good art is good art.

[@genericyoutuber5533]

That thumbnail haha! “I CANNOT BELEIVE IT!”

[@GeryonM]

this being a part one makes it a no for me, unless part 2 is next month.

[@zsDUGGZ]

10:07 the segment of her being good at acting. She did not start out her career as a singer. Her acting experience can sate back to when she was doing stuff with Nickelodeon (10+ yrs ago). She starred in the two shows "Victorious" and "Sam and Cat". Her acting in those shows were sufficient, so I'm not surprised to hear that she did a good job acting in the movie.

[@OptimusJedi]

Glad to hear it is good. I really really don’t like the lead actresses so not sure that I’ll see it but it’s always good news that a film is made well. Especially when it’s faithful to the source material.

[@dustinwashburn1283]

I like the book myself. The philosophical points it makes are driven in more due to how brutal the story actually is. I do like the slightly less painful version that is the Stage-play, and it gives a bit of relief in a way the book doesn't. I am happy to hear that the film isn't as bad as I was fearing it too be, though I am a bit miffed to only now be learning that it's split into two parts.

[@rosemartasgaminghoard]

Thank you for liking the book. I'm getting tired of people crapping on it

[@grosbeak6130]

Guy you really sound like you were bamboozled by the razzle dazzle of this movie. Take a shower and sleep it off.

[@aaron6622]

It doesn't surprise me that Ariana Grande is good at playing a ditzy entitled airhead.

[@bjlbernal]

The costume design of the extras was used to deliver subtext of the LGBTQ+ ideology. Example: Some of the students of Shizz wore uniforms that had pleated skirts on one half and the jacket on that side was also shorter. That was to signify the student as either gay, trans or non-binary. One of Galenda's entourage wore that uniform costume style.

[@fryhtan6674]

Don't forget the Matel toy line had advertisement on the back which ended up leading to a pron site because someone didn't bother proof reading the packaging

[@caseymauldin8396]

Always good when a movie you’re prepared to crash and burn ends up landing alright.

[@RainbowMigraines]

I was going to see this before the controversy, so now I will simply yarhar it. That said, I have seen the musical and enjoyed it. However, many people don't seem to know it is based on a book series called The Wicked Years. The author is Gregory McGuire. His niche is retelling stories from a different perspective, notably with sexual overtones. From what I understand, the movie is based on the musical, not the books. The musical is based on the books, but there are key elements that were changed, including the ending. If anything in the movie or musical comes off as "woke", that's not something that differs much from the source material. The author is a leftist. He's been writing this way his entire career. His books are still good though! 😤

[@ephraimwinslow]

Yeah, I've read the first book. Good is not the word I would use. Memorable is pretty apt, though.

[@RainbowMigraines]

​@@ephraimwinslow I certainly wouldn't sit any of them next to Crichton, Rowling, Martin, or Tolkien.

[@billpark8988]

I draw a difference between the actors private lives and their professional lives. Many really good actors I like hold beliefs, both political and social, I find to be unlikable. People are what they are.

[@OliveDrabCrusader]

They don't give you that consideration. They hate you. Personally, and with real vitriol. Act accordingly.

[@thadisturbedone1606]

​@OliveDrabCrusader my brother in Christ we do not need their consideration

[@OliveDrabCrusader]

@@thadisturbedone1606 correct

[@racheljames7]

There's a difference between an actor who struggles with sin, and an actor who is left wing scum and actively hates you.

[@racheljames7]

​@@thadisturbedone1606 That's right, we don't. But we'd be irresponsible to contribute to their obscene wealth so we can sit on our backsides and consoom their slop.

[@charlieflight6124]

I gotta say, the 'Standing on its own merit' is invalid. If you want something to stand on its own merit, it shouldn't deliberately hold the same name as a beloved IP. For example: If there are two movies name 'Bojangles'... The 1st movie is a remake of a beloved book, and the 2nd movie is just named Bojangles because that's the name of the mcguffin in the movie Only Bojangles num 2 can stand on its own merit, because it is not being a successor for the book series.

[@ephraimwinslow]

Mmmhm. This game of: "We're using your nostalgia as a fishing lure but oh don't you ever dare compare what we're offering TO the things you feel nostalgia FOR..." ? Yeah. No. I refuse to play. Stupid rules, stupid refs.

[@stefannydvorak7919]

That's false. "Standing on it's own" is a phrase used to describe film adaptation that are good/not bad, regardless of the source material that they adapt. For example, "The Wizard of Oz" with July Garland is a movie that stands on it's own. It's well directed, with great performances and it revolutionized cinema. Rings of Power, on the other hand, doesn't stand on it's own. It's terrible as a book adaptation. But, if you act like the books don't exist, it's still a terrible series.

[@charlieflight6124]

@@stefannydvorak7919 If it's an adaptation of something that already exists, there is no way for it to stand on its own, Because it doesn't have its own self to stand on. It is not it's own IP. You can't say that something is able to stand on its own when you have cables keeping the thing upright. The IP's are those cables, If you removed those cables, your thing would fall apart.

[@charlieflight6124]

@@ephraimwinslow Yeah, I absolutely hate the people that do that crap. It's like a stain on a pristine shirt that you can't remove. It's always going to be there, and no matter your disdain for it, it will remain there to haunt you.

[@charlieflight6124]

@@stefannydvorak7919 You can't stand on your own if you're relying on something else to be able to stand in the first place. It's like saying a stick leaning on the side of a table is standing on its own. No it is not, if you remove the table, the stick falls to the ground.

[@Aremalithia]

I have zero interest. I read the book and hated it. The play might be better but I have no interest to actually see either the play or the movie. This is a hard pass for me.

[@racheljames7]

Same here. I hate the whole, "oh, feel sorry for the poor Villain because the good guys are the ones to blame really" trope. It's insideous.

[@eetadakimasu]

The book can be a little... weird/dirty/twisted... And I hate the trope of the villain just being misunderstood, but it was well written

[@jurassicpark1fan920]

The books focus more on the political aspects and the Broadway musical focuses on the friendship. The film adaptation while still being mostly about the friendship does include more of the political stuff from the books.

[@RevanR]

Since Shad love twilight you what that's means right?

[@Zmon3595]

He just said he didn’t mind twilight he didn’t say he liked it. He also loves pride and prejudice why? Because it’s a timeless classic.

[@Steroyd666]

If you took out the actress' nonsense surrounding the movie and just watch the trailer in isolation it looked like a boringly typical villain movie, who isn't really a naughty person because they're oppressed by bla bla bla. The run up didn't give the vibe of your typical disaster either, but who knew following the source material would yield a well made show, we need this same energy for everything.

[@tsiefhtes]

There are a lot of movies where are the actors do not do the movie any favors by talking. The old school way of actors cultivating a person and being quiet about their personal opinions so as not to ruin their mystery needs to make a comeback but likely won't in the days of social media.

[@Cartoonicus]

I just about threw up when the 2016 Ghostbusters movie was not only good, but the only Ghostbusters movie I actually liked.

[@SaySay460]

I'm glad to hear that the movie stayed pretty true to the stage show. Though, it does feel a bit ironic that one of the few times a new movie has good execution and internal logic is specifically because it's not straying from writing values & practices that came out in 2003, back when such things weren't uncommon...🤔 Also love your wife's input. It's always fun to have her on!

[@Surkk2960]

Wow, Hollywood might be finally realizing that people like it when media respects the original source material.

[@racheljames7]

In this case, the source material disrespects the source material. The whole point of Wicked is that it craps on the Wizard of Oz.

[@Surkk2960]

@@racheljames7 Respecting the source that disrespected the source. So basically they got away with what they always do by copying someone else's homework?

[@benmcclarnon9174]

ariana grande being a homewrecker hahahahah ya think

[@racheljames7]

She's gross 🤮

[@chadgrimwell8380]

Ok you convinced me. I'll give it a try.

[@joeb5230]

Don't feel bad, Lady. I didn't like the book either. I saw the play years ago and absolutely loved it. I had no idea what it was about, going in but found it to be a more engrossing story than The Wizard of Oz. Afterwards, I read the book, actually finished it, and could barely recognize any parts of the story from the stage. I would not recommend the book, but the play makes a great companion piece to watch after seeing The Wizard of Oz at least once.

[@022dom]

Still a pass.

[@AngryGoats555]

Let me guess. Because black woman?

[@saltydisciple6438]

@@AngryGoats555 yes

[@wrongthinker843]

@@AngryGoats555 Because hollywood. Because moral relativism. Because narcissist actress. But you do you.

[@Haterator]

​@@AngryGoats555You are a bad guesser, but a good rac1st.

[@applejackx97]

​@AngryGoats555 rage bait? The actress had a total meltdown over a fan edit of the promotional poster to look closer to the stage performance poster. But yeah "I hAtE dA bLaCK wOmaN!!"

[@cassianopaulo1]

I like how shad don’t sound Australian, but his wife is the definition of it

[@Jor-El-Earth1]

The term "home wreaker" is just a cop-out. It's the married person that cheats. That's the home wreaker. Just saying because you started out the gate with that comment.

[@racheljames7]

This isn't Ariana Grande's first rodeo. Every boyfriend she's had, she stole from someone else. She's a disgusting witch who gets off on breaking other women's hearts.

[@MartinTowell]

The marketing I saw for it never mentioned this is a 2-parter movie. Because of this I'm not going to even attempt to watch it until part 2 comes out. I've seen the stage show twice and love it. Because I know there's no resolution in Act 1, I see no point in watching it now and having to wait a year for Act 2 since stage shows intermissions are much much shorter.

[@stevethemc2611]

I think it’s important to note that Wicked is somewhat the blueprint for the whole subversion of hero’s and villains strategy the woke use now. They just did it first and significantly better.

[@Rell-z9k]

Who cares what happens with actors outside of the movie? The movie was great!

[@TheGirlInGeekGlasses]

Exactly my thoughts. I'm shocked by the amount of reviews for this movie that bring up the actor's personal lives!

[@kelownatechkid]

Exactly I thought we were supposed to judge based on quality. I try to be objective. Maybe worth mentioning but not really worth judging the art on...

[@nicloren2220]

it's their fault . ​@@TheGirlInGeekGlasses

[@nicloren2220]

​@@kelownatechkidit kind of is if they're basket cases

[@KohakuRyuKazes]

I was struggling with going to see this movie, but then my coworker said they drew in more of the book which made me go, "HARD PASS." So to see this review, and trust that it was good, gives me hope.

[@drakelordiscool]

They could be so faithful to the source material because the musical's message aligns perfectly with the message they are trying to push out. Luckily for them, I think the musical is actually a good piece of somewhat original art

[@enginear1157]

I actually think Grande got her start in acting. Did a bunch of shows and movies for Nickelodeon as a teenager I think

[@fluffytortuga]

Not surprised, you liked twilight

[@somerandomguyfromthebeyond1821]

Wait what?!?! Are you serious?

[@JaMeshuggah]

He's just supporting other Mormons don't be a hater

[@ephraimwinslow]

@@JaMeshuggah Team sports are dumb. They just lead to riots.

[@cheeseburgersuperior1874]

​​@@somerandomguyfromthebeyond1821 to a certain degree, yes. no one is perfect. lol.

[@fluffytortuga]

@@JaMeshuggah no hate, just facts, also just busting his balls because of FNT

[@scorpionlord9175]

for me, Dune was the opposite of what you said. when the first movie finished, i sat there waiting........waiting.......waiting........ then in a shocked voice i just "wait.......thats it?" it felt incomplete. it felt like they just went "aaaaaaaaand CUT IT THERE, GOGOGOGOGOGO!" it was like getting a rug pulled out from under me. for me, a ACTUALLY prime example is the LoTR trilogy. you knew there was more, cause 3 books, but each movie felt complete, it felt finished. it didnt leave you hanging like you feel like it should of gone on longer. Dune? it felt to incomplete and like it should of kept going. it literally felt like they were in the middle of filming, went "meeeeh, im not feeling it. just cut it there and call it a day, we will continue in the second movie.". thats what it felt like to me. maybe i would of felt different if i enjoyed the movie, maybe, but i also didnt enjoy the movie, so maybe thats why i feel that way(not saying its a bad movie btw, its a great movie. by the end i just meh. i cant explain why. i literally have no explanation. i just didnt vibe with it essentially) edit: as for Arianne Grande, she actually has a acting history. she was a child actor in Nickelodeon, she did some stuff after that as well. so he career hasnt been just singing, she was an accomplished actress even before this. so that may be why she did so good, she wasnt just a singer going into acting, she is an actress who sings very well who is just doing one the things she does, which is acting.

[@JayPadrig]

You liked it because you liked Frozen and Barbie as a piece of ssshhh- CULTURE. Women, this is like your Lord of the Rings from normie POV- it was too long just to be a part one of two.

[@zekieff]

So I gotta ask, how does the wicked witch cry if water melts her?

[@m.r.6760]

To be honest, Wicked was (the book but especially the musical) one of the first iterations of the “the villain of this classic story wasn’t really the bad guy” trope like Maleficent. I mean, it was subversive for the time, but it’s certainly a nice version on that trope. In the book, it’s more nuanced in that sense, in that Elphaba is more morally questionable and she become a truly villan at the end, the characters in general have no charisma

[@peterinbrat]

See also, Grendel and Frankenstein.

[@Rusty_Raider-V2]

They literally could’ve just filmed the Broadway play, like they did with Shrek the musical

[@chrisf5828]

If they wanted to make something much worse than what they did make there were plenty of options

[@lisah8438]

@@chrisf5828 Why are you saying it was bad.

[@FebbieG]

Remember that this story is a "prequel" to the Wizard of Oz, basically fan fiction, not canon.

[@Universeknight10055]

Happy Thanksgiving 2024🦃🍁🍂. Everyone have great Thanksgiving 2024 🦃🍁🍂 and day 😊😊😊😊😊😊.

[@davidwhidden9337]

2 Hours. 40mins. Lol no.

[@StergiosMekras]

Having seen/heard (online) the original, with Menzel as Ephalba, I wonder how the movie stacks up...

[@Mysterious-Stranger]

I really enjoyed the stage show (despite being a bloke?) but I won't see this. I don't go to the movies often and I don't want to give the current industry any of my money, and the actresses behaviour is a good example of it

[@ManleyArts]

I really couldnt care less about this movie, I'm just here because Shad is my Spirit Animal & I love him (In a completely un-ghey way). Cheers!

[@ViolentMessiah666]

Always good when The Lady pops in to give a different pov, was expecting this to be a woke nightmare but guess not. Not my thing so probably won't bother, not a fan of musicals in general

[@warrior_cupcake]

I can't say how well I'll enjoy the film cause I hated the stage play when I went to see it. But it is good to know that the film isn't poorly written. Neither was the stage play I just didn't like it

[@abyssminiaturestudios6103]

Happy to hear the film was decent.

[@hannahkennelly6961]

I never saw the play, but listened to the music and read the book... The book was bad! I wanted to see if it actually linked to the original book and it doesn't.

[@masterwesty]

I think it is important to separate art from artist. I don’t like a lot of musicians but if I like their song, I like their song.

[@hailberseker5387]

if it's as good as twilight, you have to pay me to watch it ...

[@chumorgan443]

More people need to separate the art from the artist. Like they did with Michael Jackson.