Wicked - Review

[@theowilliams9610]

And now, for this review, the one and only, the wickedly talented, Darnell Mazeem

[@jer9grant]

Thank you for making me giggle 💖

[@johnnolan5579]

Lol. That's perfect! Someone needs to creepily come up and cup his face in their hands.

[@davemcguirewatches]

If this isn’t a pinned comment then I don’t know what is…

[@awkwardmonkee]

😂😂😂👏👏👏 That moment lives rent free in my head so this comment is perfect

[@bennywilfred4906]

ohhhh, i love knowing jokesss 😂

[@dean._.0.0]

Seeing Wicked in theaters reminds me that Hollywood has still GOT IT … when they want to put in the effort and have a clear vision.

[@charlieflickinger7372]

Also when they cast to cast talent, instead of stunt casting.

[@Luke101]

@@charlieflickinger7372that’s what I initially thought Grande was, but after seeing how hard she auditioned, and watching the movie, they got Glinda 100% perfect

[@charlieflickinger7372]

@@Luke101 I fidured her Glinda would be passable and just be a Chenowith clone, but the extra bits of character work she brought into the role made me actually look at G(a)linda in a completely different light. It was the first time I had walked away from Wicked actually feeling sorry for her. And I've seen Wicked 4 different times.

[@DanielSolis]

Ooh, a smiling thumbnail!

[@xTr1pPiN18x]

My thoughts too. Haven’t even seen the video yet

[@CHarr1991]

Right!!! I’m like “damn, I’m gonna have to see this aren’t I?” 😅

[@brockbuster]

It feels like it's been a while since there's been one.

[@LARKXHIN]

I was always going to see it but it's nice to know dan likes it too

[@bennywilfred4906]

I was shocked 😂

[@bluescat59]

My audience applauded. This is why we go to cinema, for sweeping productions like this

[@My5sons1114]

@@bluescat59 Mine too!

[@BronzeDragon133]

I bleeding hated the book. Is the movie less political?

[@Phelie315]

Mine did, as well!

[@Phelie315]

​@@BronzeDragon133it's VERY different from the book, but my reading of the book was so long ago, I can't remember all the details. The movie, like the musical, does have a political background, mainly about how people get taken in by propaganda and shiny promises and tricks. It feels very topical, but the message hasn't changed from the 2003 Broadway show at all.

[@BronzeDragon133]

@@Phelie315 Thank you!

[@noahkahan4364]

A large reason that wicked can work as a 2 part story is that the second act takes place some time after the first act, so it's not like stopping in the middle of a story where the subsequent half directly and immediately continues the narrative. Act 2 takes place once glinda and elphaba are established in their roles, not in college

[@alexp601]

You’re right, and it sounds like they heighten that ‘stop/start again’ aspect for these two films

[@burnt.norton]

not sure if it were just my first viewing experience or the fact that i’m not familiar with the play, but even this first movie felt so quick despite the fact that it was over 2 hours long. the leads made sure there was never a dull moment. 10/10 casting choices, ariana had my whole theater laughing, cynthia had everyone crying

[@robertwatson4840]

I’m looking forward to seeing how they visualize and perhaps emphasize the time between. When I saw the show I didn’t get too much of a sense of that but I saw it a long time ago so I am not the best judge of how the show portrayed that.

[@Mikesworldna]

This is true but it doesn't work....we already know how it's going to end....in most movies that have part 1 and part 2 we don't know the ending...if you saw the musical...and this movie is based on the musical....so we know what happens...why not just put it all in one movie..... :D

[@noahkahan4364]

@ because as they were making the film they found attempting to reduce the material required significant sacrifices to the material and they also found that continuing the film after defying gravity doesn’t work if there’s no break

[@royalport2]

I’m glad you gave “In The Heights” a shout out. It was the director’s work on that movie that got me excited for this one.

[@Erasureeraser]

From what I heard, the reason why Universal Pictures is separating Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the acting category for award season campaign is that they didn't wanna repeat the same mistake that the Tony Awards did in nominating both Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel in the leading category for Wicked with Idina winning it and Kristin losing it. A lot of people complained how robbed Kristin was but seemed to forgot who was her competition at the time

[@DanMurrellMovies]

Here's the thing - that's not a mistake by the Tony Awards. Those are both leading performances. Studios shouldn't just get to redefine what a lead role is and what a supporting role is just because they want two trophies or to protect someone's ego. There have to be limits.

[@Erasureeraser]

@@DanMurrellMovies Understable, I just think that Universal really wanted both of them to win something without it's fanbase and award season fanatics taking down one another. Also I should've make it clear, I also don't think it's a mistake by the Tonys, I'd say it's a mistake that was felt by the people who were involved in Wicked who were disappointed that Kristin didn't win anything for Glinda

[@RonnieR29]

Let's not forget how much screen time Cristoph Waltz had for a "Supporting" performance in Django Unchained or how little screen time Anthony Hopkins had in a "Leading" performance for Silence of the Lambs! @@DanMurrellMovies

[@DanMurrellMovies]

@RonnieR29 Agreed, but at least you can justify Waltz as supporting by saying that he's part of an ensemble that shared screen time. Or that Hopkins' screen time may be short, but he played the dominant male role in the film. With Saldana and Grande, I'd bet that if you took a stopwatch and timed the screen time for them versus their 'leading' co-stars, they'd be on screen nearly as much or more, and they each play one of two of main characters in the film. It's crazy.

[@jp3813]

It'd be interesting if both actresses get nominated twice in two years since this is a two-part project.

[@rjenyawd]

People are putting waaaaay to much buzz into the two-part structure. The narrative works naturally with that break. You have two independent narratives: pre-Wizard of Oz and during Wizard of Oz. If you've never seen the Musical, but have only seen the Wizard of Oz, Wicked "part 1" absolutely just works as a stand alone prequel without even bothering with the second movie.

[@mikeiseastman]

My issue is turning a 2.5 hour musical into two movies with over 5 hours of running time. Movies should tell a movie more economically than a stage play, but instead its double the length. Sounds bloated.

[@rjenyawd]

@mikeiseastman where did you get the idea that a movie adaptation should be more condensed than a stage musical? That's crazy. Stage musicals typically have a 2 act structure, where movies have a 3 act structure. It makes more sense, and does more justice to the source material, to adapt each of the stage acts into their own three act films, then it does to try and restructure the narrative to create a third act out of no material, or segment the two acts into a single rushed and bloated six act film. In addition, like I said before, this particular material works as two Independent films. The first film being a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, and the second film being a companion story that takes place during the events of The Wizard of Oz. The "part 2" film doesn't happen immediately after part 1. There is a prominent time gap, several years, between the story events of each part. (Enough of a gap, that when the film was still in pre-developmemt stages, it was a common fan-casting trope to cast two different sets of actors to play the characters before and after the time-jump.)

[@danielleoliver1734]

The stage show is split as well ,I assume we end this at the interlude

[@rjenyawd]

@@danielleoliver1734 yep. The break between the movies is during the time gap, just like the intermission of the show. Basically each of the Acts in the show are getting their own dedicated movie. Movie 1: Before Dorothy gets to Oz Movie 2: While Dorothy is on the Yellow Brick road.

[@mikeiseastman]

@@rjenyawd film is a faster storytelling medium as you can show rather than tell. Theatre plays have to establish more in dialogue, which takes more time. You also are under the false impression that each act of a play is a 3-act structure. That's like taking Macbeth and making 5 2-hour movies because Macbeth is built in a 5-act structure. I'm just afraid of a tight 2.5 hour show needlessly turning into a 5 hour pair of films. Unless they are adding a bunch of new plot lines, there's no need to add another 2+ hours of material.

[@jeremybassham7771]

A ‘wickedly talented Adele Dazeem’ reference in 2024? You’re a sick man Dan😂

[@Erasureeraser]

Seriously tho, that never gets old 😂😂😂

[@anndruh]

I guffawed!

[@chrisdemetriou8593]

How can people get mad at Dan for revealing movies are "part ones"?? I think he *should* be doing it because it can be very annoying, and frankly, a bit of a ripoff, to go into a movie that's not marketed as part one, then leave with a cliffhanger. Hollywood is doing this *so much* nowadays that I think at this point its kind of a reviewers duty to warn audiences about this kind of stuff

[@AT1972ASDF]

People like to shoot the messenger. It's sad, he's doing a public service when the marketing department is trying to deceive

[@JoeyJoe-JoeJrShabadoo]

I agree 1000%

[@piusdoe8984]

Yes. I loved spiderverse but I was kinda annoyed at the surprise it was only a part 1

[@alexp601]

Honestly, I get mad at Dan for even revealing the title of a film.

[@MoonMage1026]

not only that, it was actually mentioned that this film was going to be split into 2 films back when it was greenlit, claiming the extra runtime being needed to include story beats from the book being added or some such nonsense

[@uosdwiSrdewoH]

I don't think anyone has the right to get upset with you at all for simply giving them information but more to the point, people got mad at YOU for correctly informing them it's part one? Shouldn't they get mad at the studio for not making it clear it's a part one?

[@JDotWill]

One of these days Dan needs to smile in the thumbnail & then just shred a movie apart 😂

[@robjgolde3221]

Def see Wicked on stage if you get the chance. It is really great. I went to high school with the woman currently playing Elphaba on Broadway so if you happen to catch that particular show, you’re in for a real treat.

[@donkeydarko77]

Does she have nice feet?

[@jonm.1030]

Dan was that a wickedly talented Adele Dazeem reference 😂 love it.

[@Erasureeraser]

Someday, Idina Menzel will get a biopic movie that's titled "An Adele Dazeem Story"

[@EdmondGuay]

I am a rabid theatre fan, and a teacher and director of theatre for over 40 years, so my knowledge of the musical was thick and dedicated. My love of theatre gets me both extremely excited for movie adaptations, but also ends up being a downfall when the cinema version falls painfully short of not only expectations, but of excellence in general, well…no let down here. WICKED the film was simply spectacular for all the reasons you stated, Dan. The production design top to bottom was stellar, the choreography was creative and appropriate for the style of the music, the visual and aural experience was breathtaking… and the performances (except Goldblum) were top notch, infectious, well rounded and worthy of accolades. My favorite reaction to this film is that the production team, led by Jon Chu, honored the source material with affection and endless creativity, while presenting not just a faithful adaptation but a rock star quality film experience. I can see this movie getting a boatload of Oscar buzz and becoming a front runner in many. DUNE TWO has reason to quake now that Elphaba, Galinda, and the team if WICKED is in the hunt!

[@sebbyskywalker]

I work as an usher on Broadway so naturally I've been able to see Wicked a handful of times and I'm so absolutely grateful that this movie was in the hands of Jon M. Chu because he understood the assignment and then some. I adored with he did with both this film and In the Heights and I think he has cemented himself as one of the best filmmakers in the world. It would've been such a massive shame if he would've fumbled this because like you said, the Wicked fans are LEGION and the Broadway show has I think the most devoted and passionate fanbase of any musical theatre show ever and seeing this in a packed theater here in NYC full of musical theatre kids and Broadway fans clapping and cheering was one of the best theater experiences I've ever had. I loved this film and it's easily the best movie musical I've ever seen

[@BrownsBacker]

I saw it in a pre-screening last night and can not stop thinking about it. I actually applauded at the end of it and I was not alone in the audience! It was beyond my expectations! I hope it is remembered and honored when Oscar nomination come out.

[@kaitlynvanstrom9358]

My husband and I used to live at the theater seeing a movie or two a week. In the last year we've gone to maybe 2 or 3. Wicked was the first movie that's come about where we flocked to get presale and are making a whole day out of it! Can't wait to see it this weekend and even more so after such an amazing review!!

[@verlinswarey507]

20 years ago,back in my 20’s, I too lived at the theatre! I saw almost every movie that came out. 4 or 5 a week!

[@KamiAnimeS1]

I watched it today at the early fan screening of the film, and I was entirely surprised. I had never watched the stage play or known any of the songs, but I’d love this 'Wicked' movie. One of my favorite things about movies or even TV shows is that if I don’t like the main characters, I don’t continue watching, but I love these main characters, Galinda, and Elphaba. The songs were great, and I was surprised by the action. The costuming was great, as were the set design, the building designs, and the CGI. I'm seeing this movie again on Tuesday. I give it a 9/10; it's my favorite movie of the year! It surpassed Deadpool.

[@lorrrdy]

Ariana should be nominated as supporting. It's not just about the screen time. This is the story of Elphaba, Glinda is a part of it, but it's not her story. It's not her journey we're following. So it would be fair for her to be nominated as best supporting actress. And she deserves it. Loved her performance. Wasn't expecting much, but she was perfect in the role.

[@brittanyolson6859]

also when you put two leads from the same category, they tend to split the vote and hurt their chances overall

[@canaanhess]

They should make a co-nomination! Like they both win one award or none at all.

[@canaanhess]

In the olympics it's possible to win two golds, why not make it the same for movies.

[@nate1066pollock]

I'm so glad the reviews have been positive so far. I love the musical, but have been burned by bad adaptations of musicals I love before (looking at you, Into The Woods). Definitely go see the stage show asap. It is an amazing experience

[@elisakrivas]

Trust me, I know people in my life who would still think it's inappropriate because there's a witch in a magical land in the movie. Some people are just THAT crazy. For the average person, though, yes I think Wicked is fine for kids.

[@josephl5128]

It’s a happy Dan face, that bodes well!

[@chrisf5828]

The part one thing is a funny complaint. One if the few truly outragous out if nowhere cliffhangers in a big movie that a reasonable person might have complained about is the concensus choice as the best Star Wars movie.

[@ReelPodcasts]

I'm a very big fan of the musical. I will be judging the film as a film first and an adaptation second. I remember Grande on Nickelodeon sitcoms so I knew she would be perfect.

[@honestlykyle]

Wicked is a phenomenal movie. I had never seen the Broadway show, so I went into the theater knowing nothing about the story other than it is based on The Wizard of Oz, and I ended up absolutely loving it. The people in my theater gave the film a standing ovation when the credits started rolling. I’m so happy they already shot the movie's second half because I would be very irritated if I had to wait like 4 years to see the second part.

[@TheFreakazoid777]

It’s pretty easy, due to her career for the past 10 years, to forget that Ariana Grande started out as an actor. I wasn’t really anticipating this film at all, but hearing Dan’s thoughts has made me curious to check it out.

[@GuyEdwards001]

Thanks Dan! I really appreciate your trusted reviews.

[@nerdaccount]

I have plans to see this in the theater, but not until Day after Thanksgiving. I've read the book, seen the musical, have the music, so not worried about spoilers. I'm so happy that you like it. I bet there was lots of ways this could have been done bad.

[@aeis3007]

Is the book worth it? I enjoyed the musical, but never read it.

[@donkeydarko77]

Do they include the book discussion that the Tin Man & Scarecrow have about Elphaba's gender in the musical?

[@nerdaccount]

@@aeis3007 I enjoyed it and thought it was an interesting read. It's more political than the musical. When they announced the musical I kept thinking this was going to be a difficult transformation.

[@noncatholiccatholicrat6309]

@@donkeydarko77 Just watched Wicked part 1 and I don’t remember her gender being brought up.

[@RowanTeague]

Small thing Dan - just because I didn’t see it early on in the Top Comments, so apologies if you already know, but it is pronounced like ARE-iana, not AIR-iana. I think she’s less snippity about people saying it incorrectly these days than when she was younger (which is awkward since literally some of her costars still say it wrong), but I just wanted you to be aware for when you film part two. Love your work as always and thanks for having your review ready! I’m seeing an early Wednesday night screening in IMAX with my brother tomorrow. Most anticipated film of the year for me, so I’m sooooo glad it has your seal of approval! ❤

[@1johncabs]

No need to switch from standard English phonemes to Spanish phonemes mid-sentence because someone chose a Spanish surname. We can all say "PACK-I-STAN" while Obama exudes hubris while saying "POCK-I-STAHN. Normal English stress patterns would predict the use of "ka-MA-la". while she insists that we change to pronounce it as 'COMA-la" which is extremely unnatural in standard English. Cultural assimilation to English standards should be the norm instead of the other way around.

[@MrKangorilla]

@@1johncabs She wasn't talking about her surname, it's her forename. Also its not about "cultural assimilation", its about giving someone the least modicum of respect. People like Kamal and Ariane aren't suggesting "we change to pronounce" their name, we've already changed it by pronouncing it wrong. They're suggesting we do it correctly

[@Mahwuhniiz]

you actually surprised me when you said it was a part 1.

[@petersaunders7295]

Well, someone had to, eventually.

[@danielwinter5656]

Already got my tickets. My whole side of the family is coming into town from a smaller town and we're going to see it prior to Thanksgiving!

[@cgranero1]

I wasn’t going to see this. It just didn’t appeal to me from the preview. Your review has changed my mind.

[@justinswag3403]

Felt the same way but saw it last night and it was amazing. Enjoy 🎉

[@kenlee5705]

Saw it last night. Spectacular. Gonna see it again tomorrow

[@Luke101]

Both women absolutely crushed these roles. The music was unreal But can we talk about how stunning this movie looked? It had such a fantastic balance of practical sets, props, and locations, as well as CGI that actually looked great?? It’s bizarre how rare that is now but this movie used every cent of that budget. The opening CGI shot flying over Oz was jaw dropping

[@daveclark8337]

"What's so wrong with stopping in the middle of a story and leaving everyone hanging in part 1?"- Kevin Costner

[@StephenDukenski]

Oooooh. Didn’t realize it was the same director as In the Heights. That guy knows how to adapt a musical! This gives me hope.

[@aeis3007]

Yeah that news was fortunate to hear, because there have been some massive misses in the past. I’ve seen the musical and was massively impressed.

[@Erasureeraser]

I believe Jon M Chu was born to make musicals

[@Samuel-p17]

Ah Dan's biggest failure

[@hefoughtabear118]

Strangely his directing and staging felt really subdued for wicked compared to in the heights

[@RustyRagesRegularly]

I’m so excited for this movie. I really hope you liked it. I absolutely loved in the Heights! So I’m not surprised John M. Chu enhanced all the musical numbers.

[@OfficialJuanCamacho]

Finally! Was looking forward to your review!

[@michaelsharick659]

I like the shot in this location. It looks better without the microphone taking up so much space, and still sounds good.

[@louiseguglielmetti7477]

I hope you’re doing well. Thanks for your review of Wicked!💜

[@TigerMa75]

Glad to hear this review - saw the show with my daughter when she was younger so this is definitely on our must watch list!

[@katevand]

We showchoir kids circa 2004-2005 were all obsessed with this musical soundtrack and I got the chance to see it on Broadway in 2007. It has a high, high bar to cross.

[@KevinFreitas]

Two dads I walk a bit with from elementary school drop-off both said they already had tickets for their families to see Wicked this weekend. Given I've never heard them, even for "kids" movies, say this it makes me feel this is going to make all the moneys this weekend and going forward.

[@jer9grant]

8:17 for Wicked specifically, I think they're going to push Erivo as lead for part 1 and Grande as lead for part 2, and also it may be a bit of not wanting to repeat that part of Wicked history as Menzel and Chenoweth competed for lead actress in the Tony's.

[@DanMurrellMovies]

I guess I just don't get the idea of pushing a leading performance into a supporting category. It doesn't seem fair to actors that are actually doing good work in real supporting roles. If you have two great leads, it seems like that's a good problem to have.

[@V0LTUnDeAd]

@@DanMurrellMoviesYep, it sucks. The same thing is happening with Saldaña this year and she will probably win Supporting for THE lead performance in the movie

[@V0LTUnDeAd]

just realized you said this in the vid lol

[@tbryan5437]

Have you watched Ariana Grande on SNL? She is hilarious. I had no doubt she could do this based on that.

[@warrenbigelow9736]

have people forgotten that she began her career as an actor?

[@skyhunter2816]

Victorious?

[@BonJoviBeatlesLedZep]

If you saw Victorious as a kid and/or saw the Quinton Reviews videos on Victorious and Sam and Cat, you know Ariana is a MASSIVELY talented actress who was hamstrung by a creepy, vindictive producer and subpar material.

[@Erasureeraser]

Victorious? She was very funny in that series

[@cye4mouri]

Dan's favorite musicals being the huge 80's spectacles is really unexpected.

[@marystephani7260]

Saw it tonight. It it was amazing! Totally agree on equal star power of both Cynthia & Ariana at awards time. Can't wait for Part 2 next year!

[@teamswitzerland95]

Already making plans to see it again. As someone who’s seen the stage show and listened to the album multiple times over, they nailed it. I’m anxiously awaiting part two already!

[@Erasureeraser]

Jon M. Chu directed In The Heights and Crazy Rich Asians already gave me enough hope this movie has every opportunity to be great. Chu directing musicals seems like the genre he was born to make

[@joelanthonylim6792]

Let’s not forget the masterpiece known as Step Up 3D

[@Erasureeraser]

@@joelanthonylim6792 I unironically love that movie for all the wrong reasons 😂

[@joelanthonylim6792]

@@Erasureeraser I'm also unironically praising Step Up 3D! I don't think we'd have Jon Chu today if he didn't start there

[@hefoughtabear118]

Unfortunately his directing was far better in those movies than it was in wicked

[@kwalton7690]

As someone who has seen the musical four times live, I am so happy that Jon M. Chu had the actors sing live. Pre-recordings sometimes take me out of the moment in musical movies.

[@ExplodingRabbit1]

Should call it Woked Lol

[@jukesy1992]

@@ExplodingRabbit1 How is that relevant to singing live? Please, choose your battles wisely. Even Beauty and The Beast from 19991 yes the animated movie, had them sing in a room together.

[@ExplodingRabbit1]

I have chosen wisely I'll be long dead by 19991 lol

[@F4m1LyGuy10]

@@jukesy1992 Just ignore the troll.

[@kwalton7690]

@@jukesy1992 Trolls never post relevant or meaningful comments.

[@melissak8419]

I saw it last night. It does the stage play musical justice. It had so many Easter eggs from the Wizard of Oz, stage musical, the book, and some surprise cameos, music, dancing sequences, cinematography. The two actresses Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande owned their roles as the witches. The whole cast and crew I think did an amazing job. My husband went to the play with me and also to the movie last night. It was funny because it was mostly women and a couple of guys in the theater. I think most of the guys were going to Gladiator 2 and the women going to Wicked. But when he's not interested in a movie, he goes outside for a lot of smoke breaks and leaves early to go get the car. He stayed until the very end To Be Continued on the screen. Will probably see it again with mom, sisters, nieces that want to go.

[@renskedunnewold1995]

Wow I wasnt expecting such high praise from you! I already have plans to see it, but now my expectations are much higher!

[@conniescorner9021]

10:26 Also love Phantom and Les Miz. You would most likely enjoy the stage show of Wicked. It tours consistently. Keep an eye out.

[@TK79123]

Just saw it and it was Great! Acting, singing, sets, costumes, effects, all amazing! Haven’t been to a packed theater in years and the audience interaction was heartwarming 😊

[@taina8391]

I watched this movie yesterday, my oh my it couldn’t be better. Is amazing, I loved the musical , and the whole cast is incredible. The colors are brilliant, and beautiful. 🤩 ❤❤❤

[@oldschoolabrahamhicks2742]

Really appreciate your well researched detailed review esp as someone who’s not seen or overly invested in the stage show

[@lukemarcantel1569]

Anyone who has seen Arianna Grande on SNL knew she was going to kill it on this role.

[@bubblegum6817406]

Everyone forgets she got her start as a Nickelodeon actress. Her role was largely giving the punch line so her comedic timing started young

[@rhettmitchell]

She’s always been amazing with comedy and improv while also singing the roof off. Like on SNL and also when she was on Nickelodeon

[@daegon1985]

She looks like a doll

[@Erasureeraser]

I knew her acting skills in Victorious, she was very funny in that and i've been a huge fan of her since that

[@JacxonLRyan]

Saw it last night and same with me, I knew nothing of this story - just that it was before the Wizard of Oz- but I really enjoyed this film! Very well done in every way.

[@ggreat1999]

“Glinda is largely a comedy role” have y’all seen how Ariana Grande acted her ass off as Cat Valentine in Victorious? That’s the role that catapulted her to a grammy winning superstar despite not being the lead of the show. She was meant for this role and I’m happy she embodied the character well.

[@ramonasoare2894]

Well Dan is not really the target audience for that, don't you think ?

[@halane4790]

She really was amazing as Cat! I never doubted her chops. She is also the kind of weird that only a theatre kid can aspire to 😂

[@alexp601]

Or how good she was on SNL

[@stephaniehunt6498]

So just as a point, Jeff Goldblum got his start on Broadway and also has a jazz band so this isn't casting for the sake of casting a big Hollywood actor.

[@BatAmerica]

Wow, that's amazing.

[@geojmartinez]

I liked this too. But I found the color grading quite abysmal for a movie that has connections with The Wizard of Oz.

[@jomareun]

Yeah, that was my only complaint. A phenomenal movie let down by lackluster visuals at times.

[@noncatholiccatholicrat6309]

IMO the movie should’ve been shot on film too.

[@TeeDeWitt]

I haven't watched the entire video yet. But I gotta say the cold open genuinely made me laugh 🤣. Good one.

[@ambergardner5223]

YOU NEED TO SEE THE BROADWAY SHOW!! You won't regret it at all

[@RCPRussell]

Sometimes I feel like I have been transported to an alternate universe - I primarily remember Wicked as a book. And I remember it being a really popular book in its day - so much that Gregory Maguire wrote more books with the same premise. So it is so strange having all the commentary about the movie, and discussions of adaptation, and people just don't even mention that the broadway musical itself was an adaptation of an already popular and well-received work (not an issue with you, Dan, excellent review, just needed to mourn a little for a seemingly forgotten book that I really liked).

[@jukesy1992]

Yep, and did you know he even continued the story past the initial 3 or 4? There's a trilogy called "A New Day".

[@aushollywood8955]

i saw it monday and absolutely loved it! never seen the stage production either but i definitely want to and going to try to before part 2

[@chicken2nite351]

I did enjoy Ariana Grande in the live tv performance of Hairspray. Looking forward to this one, as it’s the first musical film being marketed as a musical in quite some time. Maybe Cats was the last one?

[@skittlezzify1]

I feel like Ariana wouldn't mind being nominated for supporting actress- especially considering all the awards and recognition she already has from her music.

[@duanebaker5796]

I saw it with my daughter last night in 3D. Saw the musical a year and a half ago. Have to say, I thought it was epic. She was in tears through the whole thing, as a WOO fanatic. I was truly impressed.

[@ItAllLedUpToThis]

as a dan murrell stan this is enlightening

[@maddiemaccheese8170]

So excited to hear that the movie lives up to the hype!! I'm a fan of Wicked but I've been cautiously optimistic about it up until now. I really hope I like it when I see it this weekend!

[@sweetness371]

Same. I'm loving all of the positive reviews. I was more skeptical than hopefully optimistic, though. I was worried we'd have another Cats on our hands.

[@RicardoMoralesMassin]

Mr Murrell has been soft launching his stand-up career and I for one welcome it

[@NerdyFilmGirl]

Great review Dan! Really looking forward to seeing this on sunday!!

[@canaanhess]

I think they should have Cynthia and Ariana be the first ever co-nomination. Where two actors take up one slot of a nomination. It's a harder battle to win, but then there isn't the pressure of having them fight against each other and have people fighting over it. If a movie has two main actors, they should absolutely do it this way.

[@justinkan1696]

As a fan of the Wicked musical... i approve of this Wicked movie... it was sooooo good. And I screamed when I saw the cameos...

[@valentine316]

I think the marketing hiding that this is a Part 1 could hurt it. Saw it yesterday. That was my only complaint.

[@ryyaannn_]

but once people see that it still feels like a complete film..

[@jarrodedson5441]

​@@ryyaannn_ they should still have promoted it as a part 1

[@alexwong7324]

The Fellowship of the RIng wasn't hurt from it being part 1

[@mastersword648]

Genuine question: was dune hurt? That did the same exact thing

[@alexwong7324]

@mastersword648 right? People are whiners

[@tiangao6942]

I saw the musical a couple years ago and going into the movie I was skeptical as to what they could've added to make the first half just as long if not longer than the entire stage musical. Your review definitely helped to allay my fears Dan, and when I actually went into the movie I was more just curious and less skeptical. I was surprised by how little they added, there was one musical number that had new music and lyrics added and that was pretty much it. The rest was just letting the story breathe, giving the characters more time for the emotional beats, there was essentially no story beat that they added that wasn't in the stage musical.

[@biofitanatomy]

Wicked was great and I loved it! We saw an early screening at FSU on the 12th. HOWEVER, Phantom of the Opera is still my favorite movie musical idk what you’re on about y’all can fight me about it.

[@lollydolly4590]

I was worried this wasn’t gonna work as a two part thing but this is encouraging!

[@jim1242]

Will be interested to see how it does against Moana 2 when that opens for thanksgiving. They could both perform well, they have similar but not identical audiances. However, the fact Moana 2 is not dropping review embargos before the day of release, means it could be a bad movie (although at this point, Moana is pretty much critic proof, much like the minions).

[@WedgeOfSpite]

Thanks for the review! I had just one thought about early screenings not always being positive --Joker 2. There the early screening helped crush the film's BO because WOM was so toxic, so it wasn't just critics not liking it, wasn't the general public as well.

[@liammark96]

So glad you loved it Dan! Was looking forward to hearing your take on this. I’ve seen the Westend production 6 times so im really excited for this film

[@Suzanne_sf]

Hi there. My favourite play and opera is Phantom of the Opera. When I saw Wicked on Broadway, I had totally forgotten what it was about although my mom had said it was like the movie Wizard of Oz was a made up version of what really happened and what really happened was Wicked (basically). I've also heard that the play is not like the books at all. I remember hearing Phantom's music in my head while leaving the theatre after seeing Wicked. To this day I have not much memory of what happened in the play Wicked, so I'm not really planning on seeing the movie, although I was thinking of reading the books.

[@EffMTee]

Just saw it, I also haven't seen the stage musical. I really enjoyed it, looked great and the music was very good.

[@bigmikebeebee]

Hey Dan, will you be reviewing The Return?

[@matthewheywood8532]

Ariana was a nickelodeon kid and was on a lot of shows growing up and she was always the comedic relief and good at it

[@user-gp9es3rd3e]

Both Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth were nominated as lead actresses for the Tony awards for the stage show's original run! The characters are both absolutely leads, I agree

[@keith_fleet]

I don't watch trailers or reviews until after I've seen the movie, so the only thing I knew was that it was Part 1. That said, I did see Wicked on Broadway some 14 years ago, and my wife and I had the soundtrack on loop for a while. Yup, this is my favorite film of the year, I saw it twice over the weekend, and could see it again. So Conclave moves down to the second spot (saw that 3 times). Best reviewer award is still owned by Dan Murrell.

[@MReindeer]

I'm curious about the decision to have the actors sing live. To my memory Tom Hooper caught some flak for the same decision in Les Mis for the physical took it took on the actors and the varying degrees to which it succeeded.

[@brutalitops5876]

its cuz he zoomed in 100x

[@BrennanJTC]

Ughhhh it breaks my HEART that In The Heights did so terribly at the Box. It was fantastic. But I know when they announced Chu for Wicked that we were in for a special treat.

[@unvergebeneid]

Saying a movie is part 1 does change my expectations but I'd be mad at you if you _didn't_ tell me! After all, I at least want to brace myself for walking out of an unfinished movie and have the option to decide for the full release of how ever many parts there are to a film.

[@nikkib5079]

I’ve seen wicked on broadway and just saw the movie today! It was wonderful and exceeded my expectation, though I agree with you on the Jeff Goldbloom statement. I wasn’t sold as much on his role as I was the rest of the cast.

[@Noirlore]

A+ for vfx and sfx with that bland looking color correction? I’m curious

[@itzante2148]

I can understand why studios play with the nominations like that. The voters would be split if they didn’t do the actress and supporting actress. Then another person outside of wicked could win for inferior work.

[@firefly4f4]

I'm just upset that the marketing is hiding the fact that this is part 1.

[@NotMorganFreeman.]

Same here. That's deceptive.

[@MegaSoulHero]

Didn’t Dune do that too?

[@austinsilv7343]

They didn’t…

[@Liampaul95]

You’re upset?

[@chuckm1961]

You must have a great life, if this irrational “upset” of yours is worthy of telling us about.

[@jim1242]

Glicked is upon us!

[@daegon1985]

Wickiator

[@jim1242]

@@daegon1985 even better!

[@TVandManga]

Great video Dan!

[@theitalianalien8477]

So glad you enjoyed Wicked, Dan! But what did you think of The Bourne Supremacy?

[@joshhaugen466]

“Wickedly talented” nice Travolta reference. Haha

[@MoviesAtTheBar]

Great and very fair balanced review Dan. I saw it last night and will also be reviewing it at my channel this afternoon. My review will be from a former filmmakers😊 perspective

[@cjc2]

The Broadway musical was fantastic. I hope this is great as well.