Monday Moments - Defy Gravity Again

Opening Friday, Julie and I followed the yellow brick road to the movie theater and enjoyed Wicked: For Good.   This is the Part 2 after original Wizard of Oz, Wicked on Broadway, Wicked (Part 1).  Very fun, very magical, and perfect on the big screen.  We both rewatched the first Wicked movie on Amazon. I was glad because I had forgotten some bits that proved useful to know.  I'm not going to give plots or give away twists. I've read some reviews that were very so-so.  Oh well, I disagree.  

I do think the first Wicked was a tad better - it just had that truly original feel to it and better songs.

But this sequel got darker and I liked how it tied up loose ends on many issues.  There weren't  as many characters to track

I absolutely love Cynthia Erivo.  She can act with her eyes.  And when she sings, my heart soars. As far as I'm concerned, she is tremendous as Elphaba.  Wicked good acting. 

 Ariana Grande is such a little wisp of thing, but she can belt out the high notes. As Glinda the "good witch", she does conflicted well. She and Cynthia have excellent screen chemistry. 

I like musicals.  I like big productions.  I like fun cinematography.  This was glorious on  the big screen and I give Wicked: For Good a thumbs up.  Enjoy it with a friend and then go to lunch afterwards to discuss. 

Monday Moments - Defy Gravity

 By this time, you might be saying, "I'm sick of the hype." 

BUT....Wicked, the movie,  is absolutely  tremendous  in my opinion.  And you must  see  it on the  big screen.  And  yes, it's over two  hours,  but the time flies by with all of the magical scenes filling your eyeballs.  

There's  plenty of homage (Easter eggs) to  the original 1939 movie Wizard of Oz starring Judy Garland.

And there's also treats from the Broadway stage musical starring  Idina Menzel and Kristen  Chenoweth. 

But now, this movie is Part 1 and based  on  the book by Gregory Maguire. The movie truly gives a deep dive into the characters, the motivations, the real story and question of  "wicked".  Who  is truly behaving badly?  Do you see  parallels to today's world?  Oh yes.    

The voices soar, the harmonies are gorgeous, the dancing, choreography, sets are lush eye candy. 

The cast is perfect - Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba), Ariana Grande (Glinda), Jonathan Bailey  (Prince Fiyero) is extra charming, Michelle Yeoh  (Madame Mori), Jeff Goldblum (the Wizard), for  me a bonus Bowen Yang who lets his freak flag fly  (I say that as a compliment), and so many more. 

My friend and I sat stunned as the credits came up.  Defy Gravity rang in our ears.  So much to enthuse about.  We agreed we could easily see it again to  absorb more. I wore green. She wore pink. 

WICKED   WOW