Time moves slowly in Oz especially when two witches test the limits of their friendship. As a self-proclaimed theater kid this movie checks the boxes for a wickedly good time filled with, flying monkeys, talking animals, and plot twists and turns that carry to the very end.
As I watched the movie at Park Cinemas in downtown Paso Robles, my attention was immediately grabbed by the the colorful appearance of Munchkinland as the citizens celebrate the death of Elphaba the Wicked Witch.
As I continued to watch the screen enamored, I focused my attention on Galinda the Good Witch (Ariana Grande) singing in high incoherent whistle notes in the opening number of the movie-musical. This moment slightly broke my connection to the film within a single sequence.
“The Wicked Witch is Dead!,” starts Part 1 of the glittering world of Oz thanks to director Jon. M Chu. Chu is able to effectively bring the world Oz in the movie-musical Wicked, Shiz University, and the Emerald city to life with his limited use of CGI during the production of the movie. Two witches Galinda the Good Witch and Elphaha the Wicked Witch (Cynthia Erivo) become roommates at Shiz University.
Cynthia Erivo shown in her rendition of Elphaba a not so wicked witch who is heavily misunderstood by the people in Oz. I was expecting Elphaba to be a careless witch that wanted all the attention instead I saw a person unrightfully criticized because of her naturally born green skin.
At almost three hours long the first part of the movie-musical out lasts the two hour and thirty minute musical it is based on in just the first part.
With my eyes glued to the screen for almost three hours I was expecting to see a perfect picture film, but instead I saw a film that is slightly above average. At times I was confused while I watched the movie due to the musical storyline, but as I continued to watch I started to appreciate the many twists and turns of the lengthy film.
I did appreciate the films ability to balance music and dialogue to push the story forward.
Lovers of Wicked, theater, singing, and movie-musicals will love this take on the world of Oz even if the first part of the movie is almost three hours long.
