Wicked is Epic! Movie Commentary and Reaction

[@themoviebud1988]

My vocal cover of True Colors: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGrOq5V3gZZ5rcksi=8tN_aeuuZ9tJF8Rt If you wanna check the full length videos and/or support the channel, join my Patreon! www.patreon.com/The_Movie_Bud Or check out my second channel with my gf, Maria: www.youtube.com/@samandmariachannel

[@dlweiss]

I appreciate you picking up on the fact that, despite how catchy and fun it sounds, "Dancing Through Life" is actually about embracing apathy so deep that it becomes nihilism - and that it's rooted pretty firmly in the character's own status and privilege (he can afford to act carefree because he's always been insulated from consequences, always guaranteed entry to another school, offered another chance, found another willing romantic partner, etc.)

[@MsJasperr]

when Glinda sings "its really sharp dont you think, you know black is this years pink, you deserve each other, this hat and you, youre both so, smart, you deserve eacother, so, here! out of the goodness of my heart'' I think the broadway recording conveyed the nastiness of her intentions a lot better than Arianas slightly softer take. its such an emotionally complex song. always made me very sad

[@devoneytaylor890]

I love how much you always pick up on first watch. The performances in this movie were all incredible! The harmony between Cynthia and Ariana is out of this world, both in terms of chemistry and vocally. So glad you enjoyed! I’m really looking forward to part two.

[@themoviebud1988]

Thanks Devoney! I agree, great performances and I'm excited for part two 😄

[@ryanhill-e5t]

hey I have a movie request Austin powers international man of mystery and if you can please wear ladies long leather gloves for the movie

[@videohistory722]

Fun fact: Cynthia and Ariana are not lip synching. They’re singing LIVE!

[@videohistory722]

29:14 Cynthia is actually crying. And Ariana whispering "It's okay " was an ad lib.

[@1pknail]

"Exactly how dead is she?" cracks me up. Pretty much an either/or situation.

[@jpblack2148]

Ironic that THERE is when they choose not to think about her in a binary fashion

[@brianahyler381]

It's also a small reference to the movie where one of the first things the munchkins do is confirm the wicked witch of the east is "really most sincerely dead" with their coroner.

[@catdragon2584]

As we all know, there’s a difference between mostly dead and all dead

[@seattlecryptid]

​@@brianahyler381every time I hear the opening question I have to finish it with "really most sincerely dead" 😂

[@ceceliam9014]

I love how it's ambiguous whether Glinda is going with Elphaba or not, and how she does choose at multiple points in that chase scene to stay with her friend. I think a lot of people also don't consider that Glinda is trying to save both their lives when she's trying to calm Elphaba down. To Elphaba the wizard revealed that he has no power, but Glinda recognizes the power of public opinion so all he revealed to her is that he's incredibly dangerous. Elphaba is choosing to take on a dictator and an entire nation of *devoted* followers *alone*. It's insane (and incredibly courageous). But if Glinda went with her she'd be a sidekick, her power is in "popular" (and if you consider everything you've seen about Oz so far, it is very clear that image is king, Glinda only feels safe when she "fits in" for good reason, being different is dangerous in Oz). Now the question is whether Glinda will be able to avoid being swallowed up by her need for approval by people she's always admired and work within the system to do what she knows is right? And will Elphaba be able to retain her sense of self when she's the most powerful and loathed person in Oz, because that has the potential to swallow a person too. I haven't seen Act 2 either, but I love how dynamic (and gray) these characters are. It's really beautifully done.

[@ceceliam9014]

Also there's a very good argument to be made that Galinda is gay with very heavy comphet (I personally strongly believe she and Elphaba are in love). I think each of the characters represents different ways of managing being different. Galinda and Fiyero have similar coping mechanisms by hiding in image, and I think that's also a big part of why each of them choose this initial relationship with each other "you're perfect, you're perfect, we're perfect together". A friend of mine who loves the book (and is non binary) told me that it's strongly implied in the book that Elphaba is born intersex, which adds an additional, even more relevant layer of metaphor to the prejudice she experiences.

[@Toonwalla2010]

I've seen the stage musical but i'll try not to spoil anything for act 2 with this response. I think another reason Glinda leans so far into using her popularity is because she is a politician at heart. Politicians rely on image and popularity as a means to champion their cause. That's why she works so hard to present herself as perfect and poised Glinda the Good in the opening number because she knows she will catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. On the other hand you have Elphaba who is by nature an activist, she's more willing to fight an issue face on which is something you do need to bring to light issues that people like the Wizard and Morrible would sweep under the rug. Both the politician and the activist need one another to make change and Glinda and Elphaba's friendship at it's core is about how they make one another stronger as people. what's really genius about the musical/movie is that this bolstering of one another is not only displayed through their acting but also through the music as most of Elphaba's and Glinda's duets (both vocally and instrumentally) are focussed on both female leads supporting and bolstering one another. Even their musical motif's compliment one another. On that note, if you think you cried during the Oz Dust Ballroom scene in this movie then you are NOT going to be prepared for what goes down in Act 2.

[@LovelyJai23]

Fun fact: Cynthia Erivo is a Emmy, Tony, and Grammy winner. She’s one award away from becoming the youngest EGO(Oscar)T. If she wins an Oscar for best leading actress, she’ll become the youngest EGOT in history.

[@albalopez2082]

I don’t think she will be nominated this year, though, because in the Oscars whenever there are multiple parts they tend to wait until they are all out to really award what they are due. I suspect they will win some this years, but I don’t think they will nominate the cast. And if they do, I don’t think they will win this year. Maybe next one. But sadly she won’t be the youngest EGOT if she wins next year…

[@hothotheat3000]

She wrote an original song for part 2. That’s her best shot at an Oscar.

[@RubyMadigan]

43:23 fun fact: the woman who says 'he can read it he must be a wizard' is Winnie Holzman who wrote the book for the musical and co-wrote the movie. Then the guy who says 'the wizard will see you now' is Stephen Schwartz who wrote the music

[@jacqueehebert9649]

I cry everytime Glinda dances with elphaba cause it reminds me of being bullied all through school times but the day I finally got someone to lean on through it. So I am elphaba.

[@nuffyj8614]

Fans of the musical waited YEARS for this movie. I’m so happy that when they finally did it, they did it justice. This is probably my favorite film adaptation of a musical (granted, it helps that Wicked is one of my favorite musicals in general).

[@bibsfiha9756]

I love how every time you would get a question the movie would simply explain it to you immediately 😂

[@mariaantonia-op8qc]

I don't know why, but him asking "how much time do they have to explore the city" during ONE SHORT DAY cracked me up 😂

[@trinaq]

This is such an amazingly cast film, and well worth the hype. I'm glad that Ariana Grande stuck to her guns, and refused to do a hip hop version of "Popular", opting for the original melody.

[@themoviebud1988]

I hear you! I didn't know the hip hop version was even on the table, but I'm glad to hear they didn't do that. Sometimes we just gotta let things be what they are

[@brianahyler381]

The first time I ever saw/heard of Ariana is when she was on Mika's song where she actually sampled Popular. So for me this is full circle.

[@Tipat_]

Suspicious moments: when Elphaba tells the Wizard that she desires for him to help the animals, a normal response would have been ''What is going on with the animals?'' instead of ''I knew you were going to say that''... another things is when Elphaba is in front of the grimoire, I think Madam Morrible moved the pages to reach a specific spell - she may not be able to perform the spell herself but i'm sure she knew which spell she wanted Elphaba to cast... - when Galinda ''hugs'' Madam Morrible in the end, I think it is for her own survival: she doesn't seem to master her powers yet to fight back so...

[@DSGodiva]

I’m glad you acknowledged that Fiyero is a complicated character. His arc over the 2 acts is one of my favorites in theatre. I’m excited to see the rest of his arc in the second film.

[@veeva99]

Dancing Through Life actually helped me a lot as a teen! I was always overachieving, blaming and punishing myself whenever I didn't get a grade that was good enough (because I was convinced that my grades were the only thing that made me worth anything). Dancing Through Life helped me see another side of things, that sometimes it's okay to let go for a bit and just have fun.

[@RamblingRose08]

That is Cynthia singing. And they sang live. If you look at a map of oz, there are 4 provinces with the Capitol (Emerald City) in the middle and completely surrounded by desert. Shiz is in the Northern provence of Gilliken so that part of the desert is called The Impassible Desert.

[@jilliansmaniotto2326]

13:50 dude… cynthia is literally a renowned musical theater actress. she won a tony and grammy a couple years ago for the revival of The Color Purple on broadway. if she gets an Oscar for this, she’ll have the EGOT.

[@hothotheat3000]

Not everyone is plugged into Broadway.

[@besupaaa]

To me, one of the fun facts is that when the queen of England died, they had to make a disclaimer on the Broadway show that it would proceed as written because the first line is "good news, she's dead".

[@entertainmentlife430]

During the ball scene when glinda and elephaba danced without music i could not stop crying. Even though i have seen the stage production that was where i fell in love with this movie and realized it is one of the best i have ever seen. Wicked for good is gonna be amazing!

[@deborahregen1319]

I learned from watching a "behind the scenes" video about the making of this movie, the production design called for the building of practical sets. Because the crew used items like real bark and leaves when dressing the forest, wild birds came along and made this set their temporary home. As soon as an actor started singing live on set, the birds in the background trees would chime in! Added a realism and charm to those scenes,

[@albalopez2082]

56:36 Fun fact, Cynthia did her own stunts while actually singing live. Very impressive.

[@UnrealB]

For anyone who’s wondering, Oz was a magician in the non-magical world. He never had magic but instead is fantastic at science and allusions.

[@sarahcampbell1115]

"Well, I hope that popularity goes good." Me "Goes well" lol.

[@videohistory722]

Morrible brought up the disturbance with Dr. Dillamond to make her mad ON PURPOSE. She just figured out Elphies magic is tied to her emotions.

[@SeyaDiakite7]

Saw it with my wife and kids in 2003. Now we did saw this one in theaters with their kids.

[@christopherhall6471]

They actually sang all their songs live which makes it even more impressive.

[@AM-dd6dx]

Yes, that is Cynthia singing! She is more known in the musical theatre world (has a Tony and only needs an Oscar to complete an EGOT).

[@AnxietyRat]

I think it's important to note that the Wizard of Oz movie came out first... And then someone wrote essentially Wizard of Oz fanfiction and published it... And then the on stage musical was created based on the book... Which is Wicked... So Wicked technically isn't Canon to the original Wizard of Oz story... it's essentially fanfiction. The author saw how the story played out in the movie and then wanted to write a version where the wicked witch was actually just deeply misunderstood and kind of a good person. But when the movie first came out the wicked witch was not meant to be a sympathetic character.

[@gailseatonhumbert9199]

Hardly "fan fiction". This was a re-telling years later of the original story from a different perspective and utterly brilliant.

[@albalopez2082]

I think calling this “fanfiction” after everything Wicked has achieved is both incorrect and disrespectful.

[@AnxietyRat]

@albalopez2082 A bunch of content creators on multiple social medias have referred to the book series as Wizard of Oz fanfiction. And I also pretty much exclusively consume fanfiction. I don't read a lot of actual published work... So I was NOT using fanfiction as a descriptor to be disrespectful. I was saying that it's fanfiction because literally EVERYTHING that I have heard about this book series reads like fanfiction. That's not a judgment or a deridement of the quality of the writing. It's just a fact about how fucking batshit the plotline is and how like kind of out of character the characters act sometimes which is totally fine because it's very much a departure from who the characters were in the original movie... Which is par the course with fanfiction... It's a very very common thing within fanfiction for the characters to kind of take on a life of their own separate from their source material. A thing that only fanfiction can do honestly... But the books kind of started before fanfiction was a thing and so they were able to actually be published. But that doesn't mean that it's not very much essentially fanfiction. Not an exaggeration or meaning to be disrespectful but literally just a fact that a lot of the book readers I've talked to absolutely agree with.... I can understand why you might have thought that it was me being disrespectful because fanfiction doesn't always have the best reputation especially with like fanfic movies that are HORRIBLE and trash... But yeah I genuinely read SO much fucking fanfiction it's not meant to be disrespectful. I LOVE fanfiction. it's literally just facts. The books are fucking unhinged. Just like fanfiction often is.

[@AnxietyRat]

@@gailseatonhumbert9199 yeah that's what fanfiction is, bestie. It's very often a retelling(sometimes in the same universe ...sometimes in a completely different universe/setting) using the same and new characters. Many book readers have agreed with me that the book series reads like fanfiction... I actually got a decent amount of book information from a content creator who was calling it fanfiction before I knew a lot about the plotline of the book series. So I'm NOT the first person to compare it to fanfiction. I love fanfiction. It's not an insult for me to compare it to fanfiction. The books very very much read like fanfiction not necessarily in the quality of the writing, tho fanfic quality varies drastically I've read extremely extremely well written fanfiction, but in the absolutely batshit unhinged plotpoints.

[@albalopez2082]

@ The books are actually very dark, more than unhinged. What I mean is that there’s a point when a story starts having a life of its own, and this is the case with Wicked. So at this point it’s not accurate to call it fanfiction, even if by definition it kinda is.

[@oliviaeades9807]

Your comments around the 17 minute mark i think are so important when talking about why so many movie musicals dont do well. People dont pay attention, and being in the theatre with this happening live forces you to pay attention to every detail. So many people try to watch movie musicals like regular movies, miss a ton of important stuff, dont care about the plot or the characters, and then say it sucks. You have to payyyyy attentionnnnn

[@Meechda76]

I am not the biggest fan of musicals, and I wanted more of an intellectual breakdown before I dive in and watch the movie, because I read the book already. Nicely done

[@albalopez2082]

13:46 Yes, it is her singing. She has an amazing voice. She’s a Tony winner! And both Ariana and Cynthia were singing live, like in Les Miserables.

[@taiken64]

My headcanon now is that Wicked is the true story and Wizard of Oz is the propaganda's side of the story.

[@amandaljohnson]

This movie has completely taken over my life. Thanx so much Sam for reacting to this for us. 💚💖

[@eddiewalter6003]

10:33 The whiplash I had when it set in, the difference from the last time I saw her face was with a bushy chinstrap of a beard. The tone switch is crazy.

[@videohistory722]

The braids were Cynthia's idea.

[@beckiesuesim2157]

Yes, it was the green elixir her mother drank that caused Elphaba to be born green. I have also read the books, and she apparently drank A LOT of it.

[@whytryjay]

“what’s left of his mind” will make so much sense in the second part btw!

[@maloneaqua]

the rareness of a thoughtful mature reaction 😩🤌

[@oliviaeades9807]

No literally

[@gothadritha13]

I literally just watched this YESTERDAY 😂😂😂😂

[@kaikai9652]

I really loved your reaction. It’s cool to see someone who isn’t familiar with the stage show experience this story for the first time. They stayed pretty true to the stage show, but one noticeable change is how long and in-depth the ozdust ballroom scene is. It’s much shorter and doesn’t pack the same punch onstage as it does here

[@Hey_Jamie]

It won’t take a year to see the follow up it comes out November 21 :)

[@BGTitanAvatar]

So glad you enjoyed this movie, dude. I remember being blown away when I saw the stage show about a decade ago and I was giddy sitting in the theaters for this. Cynthia and Ariana absolutely killed it and I can’t wait to see how they pull off Part 2.

[@kittykay1]

“She’s really pulling it off” and the she in question is child BROADWAY actress Ariana Grande 🤣. I love watching people’s reactions and seeing them be like wowww she’s actually so good in this. Like Denzel is a classic theatre nerd, Ari is a classic musical theatre nerd and she was kinda born for this role.

[@kittykay1]

And that’s coming from someone who is a passive Ariana listener, her music is good but her in this was phenomenal

[@clairethornburgh4223]

She is green because the witch in Wizard of OZ is green. As far as the story goes-yeah, unspoken assumption is the green elixir.

[@gabimoraay]

Haha cynthia has one of the most awarded voices in the world today

[@baixiaolang]

Every song in the movie was in the musical yes. Considering there are musicals where the ENTIRETY of it is sung, this has a lot but not THAT much. Though this movie is just act 1, so it actually takes longer between songs than it does on stage 😂

[@jpblack2148]

And in Part 2 we are getting 2 original songs, one of which has been co-written by Cynthia Erivo herself 🙌

[@SamSeth1996]

One of the ppl from the original cast was in frozen as Elsa!😂❤

[@clairethornburgh4223]

The vocal performances are recorded live.

[@tayab492]

I really enjoyed this movie a month later after it came out and i'm excited for pt 2 💗💚

[@BobbyLandiaPDX]

In this story, Dorothy is a mule. She's unwitting assassin for the Wizard. But there's a twist in the next part having to do with Glinda!

[@JayeKisses]

U should definitely watch “The Wizard Of Oz” & “The Wiz” to REALLY understand the world of Oz. Fun fact: the shoes were originally silver they were only red in the film because they’d show up better. They use sliver not only in this film but also in “The Wiz” which was an all black cast

[@KrystalAnn0688]

Your reactions are always so thoughtful, I’m so glad you loved this film ❤ Just curious, how come Maria didn’t react to this one with you..? I figured she’d probably like it as well.

[@browniewin4121]

My daughter and I just went to see it, loved the costumes and sets, story and it made me wish I could sing.

[@Markyajv]

1) all singing was done while filming by those original actors. Not recorded. Ariana did extensive vocal training for this part. I think she channels Kristen Chenowith's sound. Which is amazing. But in the end Cynthia Erevo blew it out of the water! Also in the original Wizard if Oz the Ruby Slippers were supposed to be silver and sparkly but the film tech was still new. And they didn't film well. Which is why in this story they are silver.... Which leads me to believe Nessa will be the Wicked Witch of the East.

[@SubKween]

Elphaba only has one sister. The WW of the East is the sister of the WW of the West. Who else would it be?

[@pricemoore2022]

Awesome reaction of my favorite movie!!!!!😊😊😊😊😊

[@themoviebud1988]

Thanks so much!

[@SamSeth1996]

I saw this on broadway but it was last year in may so I didn’t see the original cast. I would’ve loved to

[@veeva99]

I have loved Wicked for as long as I can remember, though I'm pretty sure that I first got to know about it thanks to Glee. The Dutch production of Wicked didn't start until late 2011, when I was 12, but I have memories of watching Rachel and Kurt sing Defying Gravity even before that. I never got to see the stage show in person (the run in The Netherlands stopped in 2013, when I was 14. I didn't have the money to see it back then. It's only now at 26 and with a stable job that I could finally go see musicals), but I watched a ton of 'slime tutorials' of it. When the movie was announced, I did have my fears. (Dear Evan Hansen and Mean Girls wear MESSY musical films at best) I was pleasantly surprised what we did get, even when it's only act 1.

[@TheFairestFangirl]

This musical and now movie have a special place in my heart. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. The Kristen and idina cameos were absolutely perfect. What’s funny is when I much later saw Descendants and saw Kristen sing Evil Like Me as Maleficent it reminded me of Popular so much that I said “go home Glinda you’re drunk” 😂 but the second part is going to be a lot darker. I also appreciate everything you said. I can’t wait for part 2. 💚🩷

[@SamSeth1996]

I like all the songs so far

[@hazelnut546]

I like that they have more witches because originally it's four of them so maybe this is away to add them all

[@philipholder5600]

Have you actually seen a natural blonde's eyebrows?

[@frootytooty6969]

he clearly hasn’t and I’m sick of men commenting on a woman’s appearance no matter what. Glinda is supposed to look like a fantastical princess, the light brows add to her ethereal look.

[@apizzathatgiantforthesimpl5191]

I clicked so fast on this video! ❤

[@karenlarsen8176]

I have blonde hair and eyebrows. Always have. Plucking yes, shaving no.

[@masonguthrie1257]

To be fair Glinda going with Elphaba at the end would be pointless. It would be a nice gesture but Glinda is at her strongest/most useful in social situations and if she went with Elphaba she would become an outcast and lose her influence. It should also be noted that she’s not wrong in thinking that one person no matter how powerful can enact long term change on a country scale.

[@mrbroadwaydork]

This is definitely Cynthia singing lol.

[@dorkshoujo]

Not sure if this is a spoiler so I apologize in advance. Wicked is based on the musical that's based on a book series written in the 90s by Macquire that was somewhat inspired or based from an older book or classic by Frank Baum 1904-1908 (which most Oz movies are based from). So, they're technically different. But they do keep certain details the same.

[@massomouse1556]

The actress playing Elphaba also played her on the West End.

[@ElphabaRaine]

Sadly, Cynthia hasn't yet, but there is still time, I guess. 😊 She did play the role of Celie in 'The Color Purple' at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London - then she played the same role on Broadway, for which she won a Tony Award.

[@albalopez2082]

No, she didn’t. She has never before played Elphaba.

[@sarah_noyes_]

Please see Twisted while Wicked is fresh in your mind. ❤

[@RedPandaGirl002]

42:41 That's my FAVORITE part!! 😃😁😍🥰🤗💖❤

[@RamblingRose08]

Great analysis.

[@themoviebud1988]

Thanks so much!

[@ohbooyourselves]

PERIOOOODDD 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾💖

[@yefanys]

OMG I WAITED FOR THIS MOMENT LETS GOOOOO

[@SamSeth1996]

Hi Sam!

[@marzh5278]

Yay!!!!

[@jpblack2148]

I find it kinda laughable (and pathetic) that Boq the character dates someone he doesn't like while being attracted to Galinda the whole time and in real life the actor left his wife and newborn baby to shack up with Ariana Grande...talk about life imitating art...and yes this will produce dire consequences in Part 2

[@kunglaoshat1250]

“I would do anything for you Miss Galinda” 😂

[@jmouay]

yaaay, wicked! 💚🩷 hope seth is doing well!

[@crystalpistey-lyhne3406]

I❤The Book & The Play I Saw At A Local Theater & I Watched Version In Theaters! I Give This Movie 8.4\ 10! I Hope You Put On KZbin(The 2nd Part ,I'll Watch You!)🤔🙆🏻‍♀️😢🧙🐒🎛🖥🩷

[@nprjeff]

dude, take a breath and just watch...you will get all the answers when you should get them