I SAW THE NEW WICKED MOVIE!!

[@naomisilverfang7098]

I just got home from seeing this and it was so good! I never got to see the musical on stage but the writing, the pacing, the casting, the MUSIC everything was so good!! The visuals in the climax of the film were so incredibly striking and Elphaba’s journey is so resonant and relatable for anyone who’s experienced discrimination in their life. It was a liberating experience to be sure, and I can’t wait for Part 2, if and when it comes!

[@meredithnovaco]

im so happy you loved it!! i completely agree with all your points!!

[@bnm7990]

I feel like a lot of musicals the last few years are deeply underrated. The Color Purple, In the Heights, and Spielberg’s West Side Story especially are fantastic. Super excited to see Wicked, and I hope it’s able to break out of this seemingly box office curse

[@stephaniel2850]

Agreed, I think there've been some really wonderful movie musicals recently that have just flown annoyingly under the radar! Shout out to Tick, Tick...Boom! as well because it was truly brilliant in all regards and I need Lin to direct more movie musicals 🧡But yeah, it does seem like Jon M. Chu is very much proving himself as an amazing movie musical director too, since In the Heights was wonderful!

[@OnlyTeardrops84]

color purple had the much hated halle bailey,in the height had covid,west side storey had the backlash of announcement of no subtitles for spanish language;anson rape scandal and hated by the world zegler. Mamma Mia 1&2, Greatest Showman,Moulin Rouge,Hairspray,Chicago,Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin etc done well. Wicked has already troubles with Cythnias ersase meltdown. Plus she was the laughing stock in Pinokkio. Plus Arianas recent homewrecker status is not going to help

[@azural8347]

​@OnlyTeardrops84 there was a whole rape scandal and rachel,hailey and Cynthia are the hated by the world ones😭the double standards is insane,yall hate women for the smallest things

[@stephaniel2850]

@@azural8347 Genuinely, the fact that Rachel and Cynthia especially have gotten so immediately villainized online and treated as though they're "soooo horrific and their careers should be over" for... having had reactions or made comments that could be viewed as "cringe" at worst? And yet they're treated with the same vitriol as men who have been publicly accused of severe SA?? Freaking insane! I swear, misogyny is somehow just getting worse and worse these days. And it's clearly not solely online, as made clear from the results of last week's election.

[@RichardBrennan]

@@OnlyTeardrops84 Trash talk on socials has nothing to do with the writing, directing, editing, and production that goes in the can, is delivered to theaters, and will be available to audiences for decades.

[@JasminBade]

I think we forget Ari acted in Sam & Cat, Scream Queens and a bunch of movies, not to mention Hairspray Live and multiple SNL appearances in skits, all since Victorious. Girl has been working on her craft, being singing AND acting (and dance) consistently for years! She’s incredible 🎉

[@Trizzy-pj5wj]

YES!! People forget she was an actor before a pop star

[@RuthMcDougal]

Definitely! She's always been a theatre girly. Back when she did the musical 13! as a young actor.

[@lol-ot4pn]

Though lets not pretend that she has a great acting portfolio.😂 Been an ariana fan since victorious but there really isnt that much range to any acting gig she has ever had UNTIL wicked. She played ariana grande in hairspray and in scream queens too.

[@BarryBobbins]

Goodness you’re right! Guess she is forgetable.

[@Turtlelover8888]

@@lol-ot4pn she may not have had serious roles but she played her parts very well even Meryl Streep praised her

[@christophercobb249]

Jonathan Bailey is a trained dancer; that's actually how he got his start in theatre. He trained for years, including in ballet. That training is why his dancing stood out.

[@shannonstevens8293]

6:03 Yes! I’m glad I’m hearing someone agree that 2 parts make sense. For me, I always thought it made sense because there’s just too much plot and story, but I never thought about the tone shift. Great point

[@tonyatienza]

#WickedMovie might just be the greatest stage-to-screen adaptation of all time. The performances, the sets, the direction, all do an insane justice to the stage show. It’s so damn good.

[@titusklem6781]

I've never seen any production of wicked, i didn't even know what the plot was at all, but i just saw it tonight and omg my life will never be the same that was so amazing my lord

[@meredithnovaco]

I’m glad you liked it!! I agree it was soooo good!

[@sydneyrose7168]

How can Meredith make every video I could ever need. Like an early review of a musical movie I've been waiting for for years, a ton of bookish content as well as videos about twilight and the hunger games!?

[@meredithnovaco]

Aww thank you!! I’m happy to provide!! ❤️❤️

[@lauren_on_mainstreet]

Massive love to Cynthia Erivo she said herself that I'm here from the colour purple has been the hardest to sing both emotionally and vocally and I think it's safe to say that if you can pull off I'm here you can sing defying gravity but just because you can sing defying gravity doesn't mean you can sing I'm here. She definitely deserves more credit that what she has received so far.

[@emusaurus]

Attack the fans = lose credibility

[@alfiemarie]

same exact thoughts! you can really feel and see that this film was made by creatives who themselves LOVE the stage musical. it reflects so well on screen. it really made a world of difference. 💚💚💚

[@erikdaniels0n]

Literally all the early reviews I’ve aeen have been so good. We are so back. We are so fucking back

[@meredithnovaco]

WE ARE SO BACKKKKK I’m so excited

[@notyournormalg1]

Everything I hear and see about this movie makes me think that it’s going to be an EVENT movie like we haven’t seen in at least a Decade. Maybe 2 I’m saving my Pennies to watch it over and over and over as soon as it releases.

[@meredithnovaco]

I completely agree!!! I think it’ll be the movie of the year easy!!

[@Sharpe1502]

Matilda the Musical and Tick, Tick, Boom have been my favorite musicals of the decade. I do agree with you that most musicals this decade have been extremely lacking. Tick, Tick, Boom was the first musical I’ve seen in a long time that made me go, “This was made for musical lovers.”

[@melissas4874]

Oh wow, I didn't know G'raha Tia, I mean Jonathan Bailey was in Wicked. That would get me to see it. I'm a big Jonathan Bailey fan, but he's great even voice acting a cat boy in a Final Fantasy game.

[@Turtlelover8888]

I keep seeing people say Ariana is the highlight of the movie and ngl after seeing some of the snippets I can see that but I’m glad to hear someone who appreciated and highlighted Cynthia in the movie

[@meredithnovaco]

She’s got really funny moments!! So it’s easy to clip I think and show those but she was just part of a whole that was really good and Cynthia was a huge highlight!!!

[@jer9grant]

Yes! Jon M Chu and Lin Manuel-Miranda are my favorite directors for movie musical adaptations; and they _love_ musical theatre.

[@meredithnovaco]

Right???

[@Thismeekpotato]

I don't know who you are but this review was probably the best articulated video ive seen. This is exactly what fans want to know, will it live up to the legacy. Thanks so much.

[@meredithnovaco]

Thank you!! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!!

[@rygregory]

As one of the few who read the book first before seeing the musical premier here in SF back in 2003, I’m glad the film takes its time because a lot of important details were missed from the book when the musical came out. It sounds like the film takes the best parts of both! I can’t wait to see it!

[@alfiemarie]

i still want les mis and phantom to be made like how they made wicked 😢 it was soooo beautiful and my theater heart was sooooo full

[@alisongrant5864]

I loved every minute of this movie!

[@ArtByDesign80]

5:52 The show runs 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission.

[@burnt.norton]

help i was just watching your hunger games video & now i find out you’re a wicked girlie too?? immediate subscribe omg 😭

[@meredithnovaco]

omg yes welcome!!! ❤️❤️

[@abbeyBominable123]

There's lots of bad musicals, but I'd argue there are still great ones in this decade: West Side Story, In The Heights, The Prom...

[@Tesssasasasaaasa]

And Jon chu made in the heights! 😍

[@lavender70113]

I’m so hyped by your review. I’ve been waiting to see this show in theaters ever since I heard there was plans to adapt it into a movie! Just a note though Ariana Grande has been acting since Victorious. She did a spinoff series called Sam and Cat shortly after and has acted in a few other movies here and there with her last appearance in Don’t Look Up on Netflix w/ Leonardo DiCaprio. She just has been in any main/co-star roles since Sam and Cat and Swindle.

[@Imjustkev2024]

Going to see it on the 18th and can’t wait, this review just makes me anticipate all the more 💚💗 Have been watching and listening to In the Heights (one of my favorites) in the meantime

[@yankee04]

Disagree that there have been no excellent film adaptations of stage musicals recently. Tick, tick… Boom! was a great adaptation with a stellar cast. Lin-Manuel Miranda did an amazing job and Andrew Garfield WAS Jonathan Larson. Cynthia Erivo beat Pippa Soo for a Tony in the year Hamilton took most of the awards means she is an incredible talent. We’ll see if this musical does better than the majority of movie musicals.

[@torakfett3351]

As a fellow lover of Wicked, this video gave me SO MUCH HOPE!!! Thank you! ❤❤❤

[@PomboTheScruff]

"..like it was a Tuesday" broke me 😂

[@matheusreis9772]

Have you seen the director's work in In the Heights? It's amazing.

[@fredsmith2720]

Thanks for the review! I am so excited to see the movie and all of the performances from each actor.

[@kevinfraser7815]

Welp- subscribed. Great debrief that didn’t give anything away. Ticket booked!

[@kac5318]

Don’t underestimate the amount of angry, bitter people that are deeply invested in hating this movie without ever seeing it. Look at the comment sections for any video about this movie… nothing but hate. Tons of MAGA trolls calling the movie “woke” merely for casting a black woman. Or supposed fans of the original show saying the movie is “ruined” because of some idiotic small detail was slightly changed from Broadway production. It is exhausting.

[@bluewintersnow1802]

Yeah sadly there will always be hateful people with nothing to do with their lives but what could we do yk? We just gotta ignore them and when this movie comes out, it'll show them that this will be the most successful movie of the year!🎉

[@BarryBobbins]

@@bluewintersnow1802Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Not just you.

[@bluewintersnow1802]

@@BarryBobbins Cool👍

[@wanderingseth]

​@@BarryBobbins That doesn't mean that all opinions are equal

[@BarryBobbins]

@@wanderingseth Everyone is entitled to their opinion whether you like it or not.

[@Jrsdigest]

8:30 I wish they would push up the release date to 6 months instead of a year. I wouldn't complain about 3 either😏 But a whole year sucks. Like so much could change with our culture by then! So much already has, and it has taken forever for part 1 to come out😢

[@sophiyastudios]

i LOVED the movie! you inspired me to finally edit and post my review 🤣

[@jadonrowe273]

There’s some great musicals that have came out in the past decade In the Heights, The color purple, West side story, and my favorite Matilda the Musical

[@rachelhansen2417]

While I dislike Ariana as a person, there is no denying that she was born to play this role. I’ve known this the casting was announced

[@tubbythecat8871]

Funny thing to say since you don't actually know her in person. You only know what other people say about her which may not be based on facts. 😂

[@alexdelgado1257]

Wow, now I'm even more excited about the movie. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE IT!!!

[@jayvansickle7607]

From what I’ve seen from reviewers…if you like Wicked, at all, you’ll love this movie. If you don’t really care for Wicked, or have never heard it watched it, you’ll think it’s just ok, and think it’s too long.

[@oliviarodrigosimp3359]

I loved Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story and Mean Girls. I can’t wait to see Wicked. I hope Heathers is green lighted next.

[@alemobra5747]

4:50 yeah i've come to terms with the fact that cynthia is just... not human. like, just to put things into perspective, she played the color purple's celie, which is arguably just as hard vocally as elphaba, RIGHT AFTER RUNNING A HALF MARATHON! like on the same day. That woman is not real

[@TheOnlyTeeJayB]

Amen!!! All these clips on Universal YT, I have been feigning for the cast recording 😭 Idina will always be the original voice but Cynthia…omg 😭

[@coryhaywood6420]

Thank you for a great review. Oz is the first and only true American Fairy tail. It's important that any new version is extremely well done. It was like having another Christmas day one a year the annual showing of this movie was on television it always was a joyful experience every family in the U.S. would stop and watch collectively what's the families of the best friends that's beautiful movie. The wizard of Oz. Established what we call fantasy fairy musical. America really needs a beautiful musical turn the thift our collective refocus on the positive joyful and happy things. Superfans are had to satisfy. It is nice to read a good review in such a cynical end of noxious opinionated world.

[@KarenTecott]

Have you seen "Tick Tick Boom" directed by Lin Miranda? Or did you see "In the Heights" directed by Jon M Chu of Lin's first musical? I think you will like them?

[@sevensongs]

Tick Tick Boom is SO good!

[@meredithnovaco]

I have not seen tick tick boom!! I have seen in the heights and it was really good!!

[@user-oh5ns7vw4f]

Yes there have been great musical movie adaptations in previous years but…. Not to this extent!!! The level at which this movie has been promoted and anticipated is next level and really could bring back musicals back in a different way

[@AntsTheaterCorner2698]

Also, do they by any chance skip the portion at the end of the fine gravity? Where the citizens of laws say look? She's wicked, get her. We have to bring her down. It's something to that effect. Did they remove that?

[@Raetheforce]

Excited to get this review early!!!

[@meredithnovaco]

Thank youuu!!

[@paulo_fernando]

Great review! Can’t wait for the spoiler version 😂

[@meredithnovaco]

me too me too we have much to discuss!!

[@ijustwantedausername]

Erivos crazy antics aside, I’m really looking forward to seeing this.

[@stevenwatson2871]

is there more than just the poster thing? When everyone said controversy I thought sexual assault, drugs, domestic abuse, animal abuse, hateful slurs used, etc. That would be "crazy" and true to the word. But if its just a very rude reaction to a poster that falls to poor judgement on a given day. The backlash to that is more telling about peoples character more than anything (apologies if it goes deeper than that, I only heard about the poster thing)

[@KarenTecott]

Cynthia Erivo is putting her money into developing projects for underrepresented minority groups. She was a mainstay during COVID od raising money for artists and the backstage Broadway community.

[@GilbertGTV]

@@stevenwatson2871I think it’s the entitlement and narcissism that rubs people the wrong way. She’s playing on *her* identity instead of focusing on Elphaba. She is elevating herself above the art and it really is off putting. I almost feel like if she was doing drugs or being a homewrecker in her personal life, it would be more passable but because she is directly being problematic towards the fan base and attacking them, it’s not a good look.

[@andsster]

​@@GilbertGTVall these "playing", "elevating", "narcissism" imply continuous action. Was there anything besides one Instagram stories about a poster? So far the only thing I see happening after the poster is haters (many of whom confess they never heard about the actress, or the movie--"fans", presumably) hating.

[@ijustwantedausername]

Yeah, I just meant the poster thing. I’ve never heard of her before, so I’m excited to see what she brings to the role of my all time favorite character 🤘

[@Mr__Dr]

Does the wickedly talented Adele Dazeem make an appearance?

[@meredithnovaco]

you’ll just have to wait and see!!!

[@nathanpyz]

10:12 also she has an original song on part 2 it is probably called “girl in a bubble”

[@feraligaytr1576]

What about Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story? That is still my favorite version of that musical.

[@chrisf5828]

Spielberg's west side story is as good and as loving as any movie adaptation of a musical and it's like two years old.

[@echo_fyre8680]

Where did u get that top it’s so cute!

[@robssjunior4152]

This is crazy. I’m not sure how to feel because I don’t want to be disappointed. Can’t believe we have to wait 2 weeks. 😢😢😢

[@meredithnovaco]

I don’t think you will be!!

[@nathanpyz]

13:20 they did a video about cynthia and ariana preparing on wicked movie account here yotube

[@jillsarah7356]

Ariana Grande has acted in quite a few things after Victorious, Scream Queens for example

[@alemobra5747]

just look up too!!! acting alongside leonardo dicaprio, jennifer lawrance, timothee chalamet and meryl fucking streep is not an easy thing to do

[@grapejuice1060]

I would give my left KIDNEY for a premier invite😭

[@meredithnovaco]

Me too 😭😭 I didn’t go to the premiere I went to an early screening!!

[@JenniLovesBurgers]

saying there haven't been any movie musicals in the last 10 years that havent been directed by someone who respects musicals like Jon M Chu didn't direct In The Heights 3 years ago.... or LMM's Tick Tick Boom? that movie is a love letter to the Broadway community

[@warrencroom7621]

Meredith let first say I completely came into this with a blind eye meaning I knew nothing except the basic plot. I came in as a Wizard of Oz fan in general. Besides the Oz the great and powerful which was aweful I can’t wait for this. The brilliant side of this is the casting a disabled person to play a disabled person.

[@fudo7482]

thank u for the adhd mention, i was wondering if it would've felt slow to me!

[@yogibearpeep8068]

Amazing review! I’m so damn excited! 🩷💚

[@dobibear]

I hope I enjoy Wicked as much as you, but I have to disagree about there being no great movie musicals in the last decade made by people who love and respect the art form. West Side Story (2021) and Tick, Tick... Boom! (2021) are some of if not the best movie musicals I've ever seen. They showcase incredible talent and are directed and produced with such care that you can feel the love for theater in every shot and song. The art of movie musicals is alive and well, and I hope Wicked continues that legacy.

[@ethan7293]

I know freckles make regular makeup look more natural, so I bet Elphaba’s freckles make it look like her skin is actually green!

[@linksavetheday]

"she has not acted since victorious!" This is sam and cat erasure

[@tillywallbank4640]

plz i loved that show ik everyone hates it but 😔🙏

[@rastislavrepko3681]

I would love to hear your opinion on Spielberg's West Side Story. For me it was the first movie musical that really captured the vibe. Anyway, I'm soooo happy to hear a positive early review, can't wait to see the movie myself 😁

[@meredithnovaco]

I’ve gotta watch it still!! I never checked it out bc I was nervous lmao

[@sjnscnslsf]

Tbh I didn't really like it and I am a big musical fan , it's just that something was off ...I loved bernand and Anita ....the actors who played them were fantastic, but i didn't really connect with the leads..and btw I never really liked some aspects of the story and Spielberg did a faithful adaptation so it didn't help

[@sevensongs]

​@@sjnscnslsf I loved the movie as a whole, but also didn't connect with the romantic leads. I found the choices and differences from the older film refreshing and fun to watch, though.

[@sarapinkandpurple]

I’m seeing it November 18 since Amazon prime members could get early screenings. I’m hopefully as wicked is my favorite musical and I’ve seen it many times over the years. I watched musicals before wicked but junior high was when I developed a love for musicals because of wicked. I’m actually glad it’s split into two parts and seems like they are expanding the story. The second act of the show feels rushed. For movie musicals, the only ones I really liked are hairspray, Chicago, sound of music. I did enjoy west side story a lot. But yeah I’ve been afraid to see other movie musicals.

[@pchaparala]

I can’t wait to see this

[@ArtByDesign80]

1:07 I really LOVED Tick Tick BOOM!

[@biancamariavalenti8050]

How did you already see it?? It hasn’t even come out yet!

[@Ms.Fine93]

Your hair is absolutely beautiful

[@ACinemafanatic]

I can’t wait I’m seeing it on the 18th through Amazon prime

[@mikewhite8663]

And Ariana already played a great version of Dorothy

[@jjhall1963]

I LOVED IT!!!!!!!

[@ArtByDesign80]

10:20 I mean…besides Sam & Cat…she did Hairspray Live in 2016.

[@Pixies-d1s]

Girl, when you spoke about Jonathan Bailey. I think you haven’t watched FELLOW TRAVELLERS YET.😅 His first American tv project aired from Oct-Dec limited series. Him and Matt bomer playing lovers for 35 years. From 1950(lavender scare) to the aids. The role of Jonny’s was critically acclaimed and he won every award (including critics choice award the speech not a dry eye it’s in KZbin)he was nominated for in 2024. But missed Emmy win but ended up with his first Emmy nomination. If you find this hot. I fear fellow travelers it will take a year or more to recover its very very very very hot and raw and yep. Just 8 episodes.

[@samuelreed6519]

Wait, do we get NO GOOD DEED in this film or is it just all Act 1 songs??

[@meredithnovaco]

just act 1!! act 2 is another movie next year!

[@crystall.411]

Do we get more scenes with Fiyero than what we got from the stage? also, non spoiler thoughts on “I’m not that Girl”?

[@meredithnovaco]

beautiful 😭😭 Cynthia has a real talent for emotion in her voice!! it’s a heartbreaking song!! and no unfortunately there is no extra Fiyero from his stage scenes in this movie 😭

[@leonk8875]

Okay Ariana grande wasin don't look up and scream queens and Sam & cat so she has acted sense victorious

[@jillsarah7356]

The promo has been so drawn out and is getting obnoxious. And I really wish the first part of the 2 movies was shorter. 2 hours and 40 mins is a lot. I'll prob wait to watch at home just bc of it's length alone. It doesn't matter how entertaining it is, I simply can not sit for that long.

[@Fantasy_Dreamer_89]

Wicked is the movie of the year❤❤

[@jmanderz3055]

Yes, the movie you’ve never seen is “movie of the year”. 🤦‍♂️

[@Mavieray]

@@jmanderz3055it already is the critiques have said it

[@Fantasy_Dreamer_89]

@@Mavieray tell her for me

[@Fantasy_Dreamer_89]

@@jmanderz3055 keep complaining hater, critics said it's the best movie of the year by far. I believe them cuz I know they delivered an incredible performance ❤️

[@jmanderz3055]

@ well if the “critics” said it’s good then we should just get in line and agree with them. 🐑

[@celinel.844]

A musical that came out recently and that I loved but a lot of people seem to have slept on is The Color Purple that came out last December. I personally tought it was amazing. Fun fact also, Cynthia played Celie, the main character on Broadway. I also loved Spielberg's West Side Story. As for Wicked, I'm so excited for it to come out. It will be my first time ever seeing it and I think it'll be amazing. I've got high expectations! 😊⅚

[@meredithnovaco]

ooh yeah I haven’t seen it but I’ll check it out for sure!!

[@CareBearCub]

@8:55 She was in Hairspray Live as Penny!

[@iconiccece7825]

Wait first loved the video but were you in the gossip girl reboot?😭

[@meredithnovaco]

no omg which character did you think I was?? im not an actor!

[@iconiccece7825]

@ omg in ep 9 in the first season there was an actress that played a victim in the show and like you guys are spot on !😭

[@jk-fy8on]

Is it better than Anora?

[@shaoyap2814]

What do you think about Michelle Yeoh's performance in this?

[@guillermothomas5283]

How it end?

[@actorjulion101]

Did you see the Clock of the Time Dragon?? 😯😯😯

[@salvationDANCE]

Sorry, but in the heights and spielbergs WSS were awesome!! So,…

[@Kmbri]

While not the stage play, I thought Tick Tick Boom was a great movie.

[@ladisneyprincesse]

There’s nothing to hate about this cause the leads are WITCHES not princesses!

[@warrencroom7621]

Wicked is not your typical movie musical

[@jerryspeights7896]

Did you cry at the end?

[@Pollo.a.la.crema.]

Your statement on a good movie musical is trash when the color purple and the new west side story is right there.

[@thedudeabides2531]

I feel that the only good musicals are the ones that are more cinematic. Otherwise, what’s the point? If it’s just a carbon copy of the broadway version, it falls flat for me. You might as well just see it on broadway.

[@kac5318]

Um… Spielberg’s West Side Story was spectacular

[@erenhypen4718]

I'm just gonna say this: you look like billie eilish omg

[@meredithnovaco]

Thank you so much!!! that’s so nice!!

[@Tarikkb]

I don’t think Ariana’s gonna be bad m I’m really excited to see her and I’m sure she killed it but I’m still curious about what dove Cameron would’ve done with the character, I’m personally a big fan of her “bubbly, emotional and hyper feminine “ characters , that itch will never go away for me, that is not to discredit Ariana at all , I’m just curious on a “what if “

[@merbear98]

NO WAYYY 💚

[@biguy617]

I would prefer to watch the Stage show than this movie.

[@ANGELROB_YT]

But they must messed it up because all the songs are not in one half of the stage show that over the entire show but all the songs in the entire show are in the first half it doesn't make sense

[@joseitohirose-5428]

What?

[@ANGELROB_YT]

@joseitohirose-5428 The CD release for this film has all the tracks on it and it's all the tracks from the stage show so all the tracks from the stage show are all in part one so what is part two

[@taegan1831]

They aren’t putting all the tracks from the musical in part one. It should fold out like it does in the stage show. The only CDs I’ve seen have all ended at defying gravity

[@o.m9514]

West side story.