Wicked is NOT A MASTERPIECE But… | Movie Review | Wicked Part One | Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo

[@ReelJames]

*Which musical number from Wicked is YOUR favorite?!*

[@StellaCat-g2t]

For Good. Also, if you were interested primarily in the character development, read The School For Good and Evil. It has basically the same characters but doesn't have the weirdness factor. But don't watch the movie version, it doesn't follow the book at all, nor deliver the message.

[@charlieedwards4331]

One Short Day

[@angelaamber]

Defying Gravity, Popular, & Dancing Through Life!

[@GrandJacket]

For the song, I'd say Defying Gravity, but Dancing Through Life had awesome choreography.

[@sarizonana]

My three favorites : Dancing through life, what is this feeling and defying gravity

[@EduardoED]

Elphaba was raised by a bear, and that bear was the only one who showed her love from a very young age. I think her deep connection with animals is not surprising at all, and it's well justified in the movie. If you felt that way about Fiero, then Jonathan Bailey understood the assignment and did a great job. There's nothing to love about Fiero in part one, and that's how it should be-his character is exactly as you described: superficial and egocentric. You’ll see his development in part two.

[@ReelJames]

I totally appreciate your insight, Eduardo! I think it's really cool getting to hear from the perspective of fans who have grown familiar with Wicked on Broadway. I will say, while they very briefly show Elphaba being cared for by the bear, it was glossed over as exposition to the point where the character moment in act three was impactful. I can't wait to see Part Two, though! Lemme know what you think of the movie once you see it, too!

[@fabdragon2071]

I mean the character is a prince from a far away land who is also discriminated against in the world of Oz.

[@planetmarrzz]

ngl I loved him in part one, funny and also deep with the "you're unhappy" you care, he is actually a good person. And cute. The fact that it will build on him in part 2 makes me so happy! I'm glad I havent watched the full musical so I wont know how :O

[@vicentemariani8730]

@@ReelJames And she also had a teacher who was an animal and was taken away so that’s another reason why she became an animal lover

[@Sharpe1502]

I have a feeling that the second half is going to make you retroactively love this movie. Edit: I also think that it’s really heart warming to see a lot of men who were not super excited about Wicked get excited and hop on the “I want Part 2 right now” bandwagon.

[@ReelJames]

🙏 They’ve definitely got me on board for a Part Two after this cliffhanger ending! I can’t wait to see how they wrap up the story. Are you watching Part One this weekend?

[@ACinemafanatic]

This perfectly set up the darker tone of when part 2 comes out

[@ReelJames]

👀 that’s what I’ve been hearing!

[@planetmarrzz]

is part two worth watching? Part 1 was sooo good and where I recognized most songs (as someone who doesnt know a lot about wicked)

[@kaymaldo]

You are not ready James, I can’t wait for your thoughts when all is revealed in part 2!!

[@ReelJames]

Thank you so much for tuning in today, Kristen! 🙏 You literally got me so hype for Part Two once you said I was going to be very surprised. I wonder what happens next... 👀

[@alemobra5747]

Loved this review, loved the way you stated the negatives and kept reassuring the positives! just subscribed. I will say, Nessa Rose's and Boq's storyline are SUUUPEER important to act 2 and dancing through life has a TON of foreshadowing to the ending of the movie which i get how it could be a negative since we have to wait until part 2 to understand it, so i guess that's a flaw. But great video man, really enjoyed your review

[@ReelJames]

Thank you so much for your kind words and for subbing! I appreciate your support 🙏 Ahh, okay, so it does sound like the second act will sort of make the moments that weren't too effective worth the wait. You gotta let me know what you think of the movie once you see it this weekend!

[@planetmarrzz]

And I will be loathing for, forever loathing truly, deeply loathing has been so stuck in my head these past few days omg

[@tiarapri]

You have to remember this is part 1 of a musical adaptation (essentially Act 1 of the show) although I agree there could’ve been more setup for what’s to come in Part 2 a lot of that middle section offered a lot of Easter Eggs.

[@KawaiiKandikidPLURR]

I agree with u at how some of the plot lines are very sudden and not built upon like elphaba being an animal lover or them just suddenly deciding to be deep deep best friends. I’m not the best at following movies and i havent seen the play either

[@ReelJames]

I'm glad I'm not alone! Those moments just didn't land for me, but maybe Part Two will make these moments better in retrospect! If you see the movie this weekend, let me know what you think of it!

[@planetmarrzz]

it's so good that I want to come back and watch again (and I'm not the only one) - meaning even more sells

[@ebonyeyes1986]

Fun fact they sung live and alot of the set was built not cgi

[@ReelJames]

Those ARE fun facts! It's incredible to know that they sung live. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are powerhouses in this movie. Will you be watching this weekend?

[@GNewcomb-q9v]

Fun fact, you can tell what is CGI & what is not! That means the movie is dominated with CGI! They sang live did they? Then why does it no SOUND LIVE? A live sound would not sound the way it does in the lame film!

[@ReelJames]

@ but…they did sing live. That’s a fact: people.com/wicked-cynthia-erivo-ariana-grande-singing-live-music-8748431

[@ksbangkok]

Anything happened in this movie based on how they are staying true to the original Broadway show including live singing. It expands using cinematic tools to visualize the world of it. No other characters are as strong as Elphaba and Glinda (by the way, Galinda decided and announced her name change to Glinda before Elphaba boarding the train, just because she wanted to announce how she cared about what happened to Dr. Dillamond, the goat professor.) Don’t forget this is translated from the first act of the broadways show. It’s just an introduction to how the story goes. I like your honest reviews, and you are right ..Big fans will awwww and newly introduced audience could get bored

[@elizabethhanantaylor6332]

I LOVE hearing from someone who doesn’t know very much about the musical! So interesting to hear that perspective. The first act/part of wicked is definitely not as action packed or musically strong as the second. I’m actually pretty sad they split this movie into 2 parts because of this… time will tell!

[@ReelJames]

@@elizabethhanantaylor6332 🙏 I appreciate you for tuning in and for being kind, Elizabeth! I’m hearing from fans of the musical that they’re surprised the movie was split into two parts. The musical itself is only two hours, right? You gotta let me know what you think of the movie when you see it, too! 🙌

[@JeremyKingProductions]

I agree, you’re going to be floored at Part 2. You’ll see.

[@ReelJames]

I'm so excited to see what happens! Are you watching Part One this weekend?

[@whammyhammy2075]

@@ReelJamesstay away from spoilers! They’re all over TikTok and X!

[@planetmarrzz]

oh good I was worried it couldnt match up to part one with story and songs and everything.

[@mrbroadwaydork]

I appreciate your balanced views on the movie.

[@ReelJames]

🙏 thank you so much for tuning in and for your kind words! I do my best to be balanced and fair. Are you watching it this weekend?

[@LauraM96829]

My sister and I love the original musical. I can’t wait to hear the film versions of Dancing Through Life and Defying Gravity.

[@ReelJames]

I've been listening to the original cast recording (well, the first half of it so I don't spoil the second half 😂), and it's amazing! Lemme know what you think of the movie *and* what you think of "Dancing Through Life." That was the weakest number in the movie, to me.

[@AngelisaHassan]

​@@ReelJamesDanvcing Through Life was the weakest for you? Was that the song where Elphaba and Glenda became friends?

[@LesNessman2001]

5:37 no spoiler but… you’re right. Elphaba is more of the dramatic character… in the first act… but in the second act… Lemme just say I can’t wait to see Act 2 with Arianna…

[@Carrotcake495]

In the broadway show Glinda is bubbly and super funny so when they said Ari was gonna play her I was really intrigued. I’m hoping that she gets some original lines and it isn’t all just copy paste from the script. As for Fiero it’s disappointing to hear he wasn’t so strong since he is an important character and his cockiness and confidence is so important to his growth, maybe there’s hope in the second movie? “Dancing through life” is supposed to showcase how much he doesn’t care and dance through life (hahaha) so maybe there is a reason it was lacking? I’ll be seeing the movie Friday so we’ll see. Fingers crossed!!!🤞 But If you ever get the chance to see the broadway show I 100% recommend it!

[@ReelJames]

I would be really interested to hear from you on the differences from the Broadway play versus the movie! Lemme know what you think once you see it this weekend. 🙌 I would 100% be interested in see Wicked on Broadway. My wallet might not enjoy it, but hey! 🤣

[@planetmarrzz]

he was my favorite character in the movie actually

[@corbinfisher7528]

It is really interesting to read the take of someone who is new to the experience. I enjoyed your video and subscribed. MAJOR SPOILERS WARNING FOR PART ONE, none for part Two: Incoming wall of text: First, my take, then I’ll expand on your take: Full disclosure, I never finished the book for reasons I shouldn’t discuss, to avoid spoilers. Suffice to say, the book is MUCH darker than the film, and I haven’t felt ready to experience it that way. So my impressions are purely based on play vs film. I’ve loved Wicked since I saw it first years ago, and I thought the movie was incredible. There are so many nuances that cannot be shown in the theater. For example: the dance. Even if you’re in the front row, you can’t experience the emotion and subtle storytelling that a close up to the face does. Cynthia’s emotion during that scene was so raw. So touching. I’d never experienced it like that in the play. The movie also makes Glinda’s transition a lot smoother. It’s logical and believable. A lot of it has to do with this emotion and shots you can only do in a movie. The transition in the play isn’t awful, but it felt more fleshed out in the film. The opening … No one mourns the wicked … is SO impactful . When you know where the story is headed, the fact that this fire is lit, and HOW it’s lit… is soul crushing. Never experienced an opening quite as raw and impactful in the theater. When I saw that fire, I knew I was in for a heightened, newer Wicked experience. The play does not do a great job of transmitting Elphaba’s love for the animals, besides her admiration for Dr. Dillamund. When the movie showed her being raised by an animal, a lot clicked in my head. Like “omg, that explains why she is so passionate about animals.” However, I think that even without that revelation, as someone who had been “othered “ all her life, it would make sense that she would care about the rights of the oppressed. In this case animals, particularly after forming a bond with the professor, who was her only “friend” besides Glinda. And being “tricked” into hurting the monkeys is more than she can bear, driving her decision to rebel against the wizard. I’ve read in another review that the animal plot made no sense. Truth is, what is happening with the animals is pivotal and drives the story - drives her campaign, her conflict with being “loved by everyone” if she joins the wizard, vs doing what she feels is ethically correct. Queue the lyrics: “but I don’t want it… no…. I CAN’T want it anymore”. I think the problem here is that this plot point is introduced by the only weak number/song in the musical “something bad”. “Dancing Through Life” - Fiyero’s number is also super important. There is MAJOR foreshadowing in many things that are said/sung by Fiyero, and everything else that is happening with the rest of the cast in that number. Fiyero is like the male equivalent of Glinda, even similar in their transitions from “aloof airhead” to actually caring. He is deeper than that, and there are several shots where you can sort of witness his thought process, and how fascinating he finds Elphaba. For now, all you need to know is he’s someone famous and popular that took the school by storm, and somehow connects with Glinda and Elphaba. His role is important, and is expanded later in the story. The same can be said about Nessa and Boq. And finally my impression on your take: I think it’s absolutely valid. As excited as I am about this movie, splitting it In two parts had me concerned that a similar situation would happen than that of “Kill Bill 1 & 2”. I can definitely understand how you’d come off with this impression, and it’s one of the risks of splitting it. The other risk, I think, is that Part 2 will be mostly dark. While the first part has a balance between light and dark - people who aren’t familiar with the story might come to expect the same from part 2. Unless they’ve added a lot of things to balance this, this won’t be the case. So I’m wondering if it will be too heavy. But after experiencing this… I’m pretty hopeful it will be really good. Maybe - if you’d watched everything at once, your impression would change . Because things would click and make sense. As it is, for someone new, it’s more like the chess pieces have been set in place on the game board, and after patiently trying introducing several layers of the story, we are now headed into a roller coaster ride that won’t let up until the end. I think your impression as a newcomer is spot on, for this particular 2 movie situation. I love the things you say worked in the movie, and can understand why you’d think the other plot points don’t. I also think there’s a great chance that you’ll feel it is overall great, by the end of it. Does this mean the movie is not excellent? I’m not quite sure, because we are evaluating the first half of an incomplete story. Would there have been ways to avoid new people from losing some steam through the half of the movie? I don’t know, and it’s hard for me to judge because I know how everything ends, so it all made sense to me and was enjoyable. I appreciate your candid and honest review. I think it definitely offers some food for thought regarding what could be done in the future with a similar situation. I’m happy that regardless, you found enjoyment in it, and that you’re looking forward to part 2. It will be a long year waiting!!! Don’t listen to the rest of the broadway recording, so you can report still as a fresh newcomer.

[@crissyjayfae]

The book is not really funny but the musical IS 💚 I’m really looking forward to watching it. I hope they do LOATHING well 🤞🏽 your review makes it sound very promising

[@ReelJames]

I heard the book is very grim! (no, that wasn't a Grimmerie pun) Thank you so much for tuning in! 🙏 You gotta let me know what you think of it once you see it this weekend.

[@ACinemafanatic]

I saw it last night at an advanced screening and I was amazed the best number is definitely defying gravity but One short day , What is this feeling , and popular are also great standouts

[@ReelJames]

So glad you enjoyed it, too! Defying Gravity by Cynthia Erivo was insanely awesome. How would you rate “Part One”?

[@planetmarrzz]

what is this feeling and dancing through life for me

[@cynthiaquezada6982]

I dont really like Ariana as a person, and was miffed when she was selected for Glinda. Cynthia's attack on the person who edited the movie poster to be closer to the stage poster really upset me. So this movie has 2 leads I dont particularly care for. I am still interested to watch, but the movie already has a couple of strikes based on these two actresses. I'm debating to just wait for it to come to streaming so I dont spend movie theater money. 🤔

[@alemobra5747]

i wouldnt really say that was an attack, she overreacted and said how she felt, which shes allowed to do. Later she admitted she overreacted, but yeah

[@Les-c6r]

Stream it later. Don't waste time or money at the theater for this. That's what I was going to do and I should have. Paying for 3d was a waste also as it didn't add to the movie. 3d only adds to a movie when the movie is great. This movie is not great.

[@RINGPØN]

Well that's dumb

[@alemobra5747]

@@Les-c6r wow thats dumb, just because you dont like the actors? lmfao ok yall rlly gotta learn how to separate the art from the artists. I can tell y'all dont care about wicked as much as some people do, and thats completely fine! In that case i wouldnt rush to theatres either since its probably gonna be full of actual fans

[@georgialerangis2123]

Save your money honey❤

[@nsan48]

Good, not great. Totally agree, that 2nd act should have been cut in half.

[@austin8633]

I mean come on dude the writing is on the wall about the animal situation. Literally raised from infancy by an animal and also has felt othered her whole life and knows how wrong that is. I've never watched the musical either but I felt like that was so very obvious just from the first viewing and the way everything was set up. I do agree Fiyero's musical number is the least exciting and seemingly unnecessary to the plot but its in the musical so you have to keep it. At least the camera spinning around was interesting and the scene made good use of those crazy circular bookshelves.

[@fabdragon2071]

His number is weird because he is supposed to be foreign and discriminated against, even though he is royalty of his land. So he refused to like elpheba because he didn't want to be more of an outsider... when he was popular in his home country.

[@ReelJames]

I totally get ya, Austin! I just didn’t feel Elphaba’s conviction to help animals was conveyed strongly enough in the beginning of the movie for me as a viewer to understand why she all of a sudden has this intense passion to help animals.

[@alemobra5747]

i agree that if youre unfamiliar with the story his number could be seen as unnecessary and how this could be one of the flaws since its only one act, but trust me, its extremely necessary for part 2

[@andreasmeelie1889]

Dancing Through Life is my favorite song of part one. I don't get why it's so hated and frowned upon. ;( That was the most amazing part of the movie too. ;( I don't get it. ;(

[@ltabon25]

​@ReelJames Her passion is less about animals and more about equality. Like Austin mentions, it's about being "othered" like how she was all her life. It's even mentioned in the lyrics of "The Wizard and I" where she calls out the munchkins for being so small minded.

[@vazandrea8416]

A lot of it is actually real set set design not just vfx

[@ReelJames]

That's what I've been reading! Are you watching it this weekend?

[@karlozfox]

my favorite song is from act 2, so there's still so much in store for you

[@ReelJames]

👀 That makes me even more excited for Act II!

[@planetmarrzz]

oh that makes me feel more excited, what's the song called?

[@karlozfox]

@@planetmarrzz no good deed

[@tonyahancock641]

I love The wizard of Oz movie am I going to see it in the theaters do you know there's a new Moana movie coming out add a new Lion King movie

[@BrunoHeggli-zp3nl]

Movie of the year!

[@Chmiken]

Gotta watch this later cuz I’m busy now 😢

[@ReelJames]

🙏 No problem! I'm so glad you'll be tuning in!

[@Clearskies3848]

Her name is “Ari-ana” Grande. Not Airiana grande

[@ReelJames]

Thanks for the correction!

[@amberholland5561]

Wicked was amazing!!!!!!!

[@Lastofthescofflaws]

James, it was great! Stay mad ! hahaha lol ;)

[@ReelJames]

@@Lastofthescofflaws wait, who’s mad? lol. I enjoyed the movie!

[@carmelopappalardo8477]

I do not know anyone going to see this film.

[@ReelJames]

Oh really? I’m finding out that “Wicked” is very popular, but do you usually hang around people who enjoy musicals?

[@carmelopappalardo8477]

@ReelJames Actually yes. I have seen the Broadway show. Personally I am turned off by the actress Elphaba. I mean I flew from Las Vegas to NY to see the revival of Showboat so I am a fan.

[@alemobra5747]

@@carmelopappalardo8477 by cynthia? shes a broadway legend, and one of the most talented singers broadway has! i guarantee if you decide to see the movie you wont regret it

[@Wolfking99-x4r]

I be going tomorrow for an early screening an definitely excited for the music

[@ReelJames]

You gotta let me know which musical number is your favorite when you see the movie!

[@Clearskies3848]

I don’t like when people make titles like this. Maybe just title it as a review instead of exciting rage bait for views and clicks

[@ReelJames]

Hi! Thanks for tuning in! I respect that you have preferences when it comes to video titles. My job is to provide an eye-grabbing headline for the content I produce, though.

[@Clearskies3848]

@ so rage bait? Titles meant to incite anger or potentially make some assume the movie is bad?

[@ThePyroArchonMurata]

Hi James 💋

[@ReelJames]

Hi! 👋 Are you watching Wicked this weekend?

[@ThePyroArchonMurata]

@ of course 💚💗

[@mimiisrofl]

“Wicked is not a masterpiece” opinion discounted and deleted, we are no longer friends, you are uninvited to every party. Get OUT

[@mimiisrofl]

Also when you rewatch this after seeing Part 2 you will be kicking yourself.

[@GeekyNerdTheatre]

When I saw the show as seven-year-old and a 16-year-old I really liked Fyero's character and Dancing through Life was one of my favorite numbers. It's easy for young girls to relate to Elphaba and that feeling of wanting someone who will probably never want you back which makes you fall in love with Fyero too. For that reason, I'm glad he's still there. But when I saw the show as an adult, I realized the Fyero is a pretty generic hero throughout and Dancing Through Life, while still a fun song, it's a few minutes longer than it needs to be. Everytime he came on stage, my thought was, "Can we go back to Glinda and Elphaba now?" The show does justify his existence and his musical number (along with the talking animals) in Act 2, but I don't find it to be nearly as engaging as Elphaba and Glinda's relationship with eachother. I haven't seen the film yet and I was hoping that with the added run time they would do more to flesh out his character, but I shall have to see for myself.

[@andreasmeelie1889]

I totally disagree with what you said about Dancing Through Life and Fieryo. The song needs to be long to establish each key point of the characters and show them having fun out at a ballroom showing that they love having fun like real life people. While I do hugely adore Elphaba and Glinda's relationship together more I always hugely adored Elphaba's relationship with Fieryo too. So I don't get why he and the Dancing Through Life number has to be so slammed. :( Especially since Dancing Through Life is my second favorite song right behind For Good. Why do my favorite songs always have to be so dissed? ;(

[@andreasmeelie1889]

I get that it's his opinion and he can say whatever he wants about Fieryo whatever. But, no offense, why does he have to diss my favorite song of Wicked part one, Dancing Through Life, like that and act like it's the main bad song and ruined up the movie in some way? That's my favorite song of the movie! I love segments where people go out and dance at ballrooms and get ready for a dance. Dancing Through Life even helps establish characters that will show up more in part 2. I was dancing in my seat and soaring to new heights during Dancing Through Life. Dancing Through Life is my second favorite Wicked song right behind For Good which For Good will be in part 2. So thus Dancing Through Life was the main song I was looking extremely forward to in this movie and it exceeded expectations. So I don't get his opinion at all. It really crushed my heart. ;(

[@ReelJames]

Thank you so much for tuning in! I totally get that people love that number, it just didn’t work for me in the movie. But my opinion shouldn’t take away from yours!

[@AngelisaHassan]

​@ReelJames Do you think it was the weakest number or a pointless number because the song was what led their friendship.

[@davonfryar-frazier435]

It was the weakest. But I still liked it

[@kerriemeredith8019]

I felt like walking out. Some other people did. Beautiful visuals and costumes but a very boring story. Too long.

[@davonfryar-frazier435]

Lol I don't believe this

[@fatimaalihiader6221]

First!!!!

[@ReelJames]

🙏 Thank you for being early! Are you watching Wicked this weekend?

[@gokuvegeta1167]

The book was a masterpiece fick thw movie and the musical

[@davonfryar-frazier435]

The book was atrocious

[@Donald_J_Trump115]

Spoiler the witch dies like years later

[@d.d.2884]

$;&/&(&:’;))/ okay this cracked me up

[@alemobra5747]

dont we see that in the wizard of oz?

[@davonfryar-frazier435]

She doesn't 😂

[@garymartin9665]

Pretty much the worst musical I've ever seen

[@ReelJames]

Whoa! What makes it the worst for you??

[@wayneramquist367]

They made the best musicals in the Golden age the 30s 40s 50s 60s

[@davonfryar-frazier435]

No

[@Les-c6r]

The movie was ass

[@ReelJames]

I didn't think it was bad! What didn't work for you?

[@LesNessman2001]

5:37 no spoiler but… you’re right. Elphaba is more of the dramatic character… in the first act… but in the second act… Lemme just say I can’t wait to see Act 2 with Arianna…