Wicked movie

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I think both watching a movie quietly and experiencing a movie as a group participation thing (think Rocky Horror) are valid experiences...as long as you go in knowing what to expect. So I think theaters should just clearly mark certain showings as sing-alongs and the rest as quiet.

AMC is supposed to have a disclaimer about not singing. On Christmas AMC (not sure if it's a release for other theater companies too) will have sing-a-long showings made available and until then no showing is actually supposed to be sanctioned as sing a long at least with AMC. Past movies release like Frozen and such had later on showings clearly labeled as sing a long; your default unless otherwise told to is to not sing (same as talking, being on your cell phone, any other distraction to actually watching the movie).

However, I completely side with the other poster on this in so much that it's still a risk to go to a musical in theaters and hope that people don't sing a long in this day and age. I think some of this is dependent on what it is like I don't think Greatest Showman when it first released in theaters had the same likelihood of Rocky Horror Picture show or Wicked.

I remember seeing Chicago in theaters but this was back in the day and no one sang but honestly the general public was a lot more polite around each other in theaters.

You'd think it would be common sense to not sing a long when it's not labeled as a sing a long showing because that's simply thinking of other people.

 

[PollyannaMom]

AMC is supposed to have a disclaimer about not singing. On Christmas AMC (not sure if it's a release for other theater companies too) will have sing-a-long showings made available

Oh, I'm glad they're actually doing it! I won't be going on Christmas, but if it were a random day, I might. I think it's great to have both options.

 

[C&Jx2]

I saw it today after everyone gave it such high reviews. It was good!

Arianna. WOW. People should not sleep on her talent. Her operatic performance in No One Mourns the Wicked and her micro-expressions during the song… ugh! Her acting was impeccable. Elphaba was great as usual, but the performance was expected since she’s always played by such a power house (and Cynthia Erivo certainly was).

 

[texaslover]

I saw it today and IT WAS AMAZING!!! No one singing but a lot of us felt like clapping at the end of the big songs and you could hear a smattering then some laughs. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't a standing ovation clap fest at the end but it was a 1:15 showing and, though mostly full, a subdued crowd. I've seen it on the stage from the traveling Broadway cast which was fabulous and, of course, the gold standard. However, the drama of the big screen totally worked and the 15 minute ending culminating in Defying Gravity was something to behold. I loved, loved, loved it.

 

[LKing]

There was no singing in our theater. I heard faint clapping after some of the early songs and then that stopped. I think the biggest response was when Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel appeared. Apparently composer, Stephen Schwartz and book writer Winnie Holzman also had cameos.

Dancing Through Life - WOW! WOW! WOW! The sets, costumes and choreography were amazing. Who knew Jonathan Bailey could sing? This EW clip explains how truly complicated it was to shoot that scene. Wicked's ‘Dancing Through Life’ Full Scene Breakdown

 

[fab1976]

I was like many others who thought Ariana Grande? Ugh. But oh she was so good! Love her Popular, and her dressing gown she wore during it was perfection. I just saw the play in May, it was both my first and my daughter’s first stage show! I honestly don’t remember so much of it, but am glad we saw it before the movie. The songs are amazing. Dancing Through Life was awesome to watch, the circular rotating bookshelves . And Defying Gravity, Cynthia definitely made it hers! Those who are waiting til they can see both halves…highly suggest going now. I’m thrilled that we get more Wicked in a year, it was that delightful!

 

[pezgirlroy]

So here is my take. I really do not like the original Wizard of Oz. I don't know why but I just have never liked it. I read the book when it first came out and loved it. It is definitely a darker book. The movie is based on the musical which used the book at source material. I was dragged to the movie on Saturday. And .... I absolutely love it. It was really really good.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Oh, I'm glad they're actually doing it! I won't be going on Christmas, but if it were a random day, I might. I think it's great to have both options.

Yes! I am pretty good about singing along in my head and staying quiet, but there is definitely something to be said for seeing a movie with loved songs where singing is permitted. I don't know if anyone has ever attended a sing-a-long viewing of The Sound of Music, but it's an incredible experience if you're into that kind of thing. Again...only when it's permitted.

 

[LKing]

Planning on seeing this a second time. Trying to figure out if I should do IMAX or 3D. Did anyone watch it in 3D? Was it distracting?

 

[Rogue1677x]

Planning on seeing this a second time. Trying to figure out if I should do IMAX or 3D. Did anyone watch it in 3D? Was it distracting?

We saw it in 3D and didn't find it distracting in any way.

 

[spewey]

For those who have read it (I did when it came out - almost (ouch) 30 years ago), I would broadly describe the film (at least the first part) as being based on the book, with songs from the musical.

Obviously it is more than that, but the expanded runtime, with the first half alone being as long as the musical, allows for some of the book's more important themes to be fleshed out. By that I mean Animal Rights, which I assume will continue into the second part, as that is the driving force behind Elphaba (L. Frank Baum - geddit?) SPOILER becoming basically a terrorist.

All in all, I liked the film. Haven't seen the play, but it does honor the Oz universe, which is complex and prone to many interpretations. Plus they kept the shoes silver.

 

[pezgirlroy]

For those who have read it (I did when it came out - almost (ouch) 30 years ago), I would broadly describe the film (at least the first part) as being based on the book, with songs from the musical.

Obviously it is more than that, but the expanded runtime, with the first half alone being as long as the musical, allows for some of the book's more important themes to be fleshed out. By that I mean Animal Rights, which I assume will continue into the second part, as that is the driving force behind Elphaba (L. Frank Baum - geddit?) SPOILER becoming basically a terrorist.

All in all, I liked the film. Haven't seen the play, but it does honor the Oz universe, which is complex and prone to many interpretations. Plus they kept the shoes silver.

Agreed.

 

[Dug720]

Planning on seeing this a second time. Trying to figure out if I should do IMAX or 3D. Did anyone watch it in 3D? Was it distracting?

I saw it in 3D but really didn't see the point of 3D with it.

I thought it was ok...but the fact that the added stuff added NOTHING to the story and just messed up the pacing made it so obvious that dividing it into 2 parts was just for $$. There was no reason to make movie 1 longer than the musical itself without adding anything.

 

[spewey]

I saw it in 3D but really didn't see the point of 3D with it.

I thought it was ok...but the fact that the added stuff added NOTHING to the story and just messed up the pacing made it so obvious that dividing it into 2 parts was just for $$. There was no reason to make movie 1 longer than the musical itself without adding anything.

As the answer to all our questions is money, there's no doubt that played a role. But I'll also cut the director some slack, as he has stated he wanted to bring in more of the book, and if you do that, AND keep the songs, AND the multiple love-triangles, you are going to end up with one looooong movie.

As others mentioned, they did retain the lighter tone of the musical over that of the darker book. For those interested, Wicked's author was trying to explore the root of evil in people - are we born wicked? Are we taught to hate? and part of that came from him reading about one of the most horrific crimes in British history.

Plus, as I referenced, the whole animal rights thing. Which is a key part of the book. For those that have seen the play (I haven't) - is that in there at all? Always thought that would be odd to include in a big splashy Broadway production.

 

[E&Cmom]

Plus, as I referenced, the whole animal rights thing. Which is a key part of the book. For those that have seen the play (I haven't) - is that in there at all? Always thought that would be odd to include in a big splashy Broadway production.

Yes it is but definitely not to the extent to the book. It does introduce the “ goat “ professor “ and what is happens to him and what are happening to the other animals.

I am guessing that act 2 will have more of the book and be darker . The majority of the songs especially the more well known song are in the first act. There are 2-3 good songs in that act but a lot of reprises so I am curious to see where they will go.

I was a big critic when I heard that they were making it into 2 parts but after seeing it it works. It is one of my favourite musicals but I haven’t seen it in many years.I am glad they didn’t cut anything out and it did the show justice. I found it flowed well and was not bored at all after 2 hours and 40 minutes.

 

[Dug720]

Plus, as I referenced, the whole animal rights thing. Which is a key part of the book. For those that have seen the play (I haven't) - is that in there at all? Always thought that would be odd to include in a big splashy Broadway production.

The animal conference is not in the musical. But the "Something Bad" song happens between Dr. Dillimond and Elphaba and he is removed from the classroom. The writing on the board happened. So really nothing was added be having the animal conference.

That's my point. The parts they decided to add from the book added nothing to the story of the musical. There were things they could have added that WOULD have added to the story of the musical. But they didn't.

 

[sarahann77]

I enjoyed it. We had the storm during so it stopped twice but only was off for a few minutes before restarting. I was glad they had the animal conference as the musical starts with the humanish Dr Dillamond and then turns more animal so before seeing the movie to see he starts as the animal already I was confused how they were going to portray that critical piece.

My biggest criticisms as Ariane seemed to look like she was lip synching which was distracting to me. I see articles now saying they sang live during filming so I'm not sure what happened for her. They had close ups for her at these points so I was looking at that in the moment.