For those not familiar with Wicked, it follows Glinda as she tells the munchkins about how the Wicked Witch (named Elphaba) came to be. Her birth with green skin, her messed-up childhood, and her entry into Shiz University and growing friendship with (and feelings against) Glinda all get explained.
While Wicked: Part One presents Elphaba as misunderstood, her backstory does not redeem her actions (something Disney's live-action Cinderella also does well and Maleficent can learn from). Instead, she finds freedom from oppression when engaging in sorcery. Even better, the film does nothing to change the story of the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz; it only gives some backstory.
Another area in which Wicked: Part One succeeds is the music. The songs have an upbeat tone (including "Defying Gravity" towards the end) and contain pure Broadway style with well-acted choreography to match. Yet, "Popular," takes inspiration from a popular song (which is not surprising with Ariana Grande as Glinda). Regardless, the music makes the almost three-hour film feel much shorter. Only hints of the music show up in the trailer, but the success of Wicked can, hopefully, improve upcoming trailers for musicals.
The performances also stand out in Wicked: Part One. Ariana Grande may be an A-list actor, but she does not distract from her role as Glinda. The blond hair and pink outfits help her stand out. Cynthia Erivo also nails her performance as Elphaba with the help of her contrasting black outfits and green skin.
As with many modern live-action films, the use of CGI is present, particularly in the talking animals. I questioned the presence of talking bears alongside the humans at Elphaba's birth. However, I also appreciated how the talking animals all look real and have believable expressions and personalities. Wicked: Part One even gives sympathy to the struggling animal professors at Shiz.
One problem I have with Wicked: Part One, though, is that some scenes were too dark for me, especially those in which Elphaba and Glinda visit the wizard. The dark green color inside the walls of his building evoked, in me, a sense of boredom or gloom.
Not surprising for a nearly three-hour movie, the story also drags in some areas. It especially applies to the middle of the "Dancing Through Life" number; if Elphaba and Glinda were just friends, the multiple close-up shots of their expressions are unnecessary.
Otherwise, the storyline is engaging. Alongside the music, as previously described, there are multiple moments of tension regarding Elphaba's struggle of belonging and her relationships with Glinda and other students. There is additionally tension, as previously mentioned, surrounding the animal professors. Several action scenes, including Glinda catching up with Elphaba on the train, also enhance the plot.
On a final note, unlike most modern live-action films, Wicked: Part One is well-shot; it is almost always easy to see the characters and action in dim settings. Plus, while the sorcery may offend Christian viewers, there is little to no foul language, making it more watchable. It is the rare modern film deserving of its PG rating.
Fans of musicals, especially, need to check out Wicked: Part One. It may be long, but it feels like a breeze.
Have you seen Wicked: Part One? What do you think about it?
No comments:
Post a Comment