Hey everyone, i just want to explain that I forced myself to watch a musical. Yes i may complain about "another song" but come on this journey with me. Trying something new is not always easy but this was such a good experience. 💚💗
It’s to be explected when interacting with a new form of media. The Wicked movie is a great starter though because they really blew it out of the water, this movie is as long as the stage show despite it only covering act one so you can see how much efoort went into it. I really enjoyed your reaction because even if you weren’t feeling the musical aspect at first you still found enjoyment in other aspects rather than write off the film entirely.
@@AnahíViturinoyeah it's almost like stepping out of your comfort zone to see if you like something is uncomfortable or something. btw, they very obviously become more acclimated to the atmosphere of the film as the video goes on even though they don't care for the musical aspect. like???? why is this an issue
8:21 Girl it really felt like a lot of complaining even in the 8min that I saw. It wasn't disrespectful, but it was irritating for me to watch someone who seemed so closed minded about musicals. You got through the movie though, which is more than I was able to do with your reaction vid so good job.
So it seems everyone mistakes the monkey looking at birds as him wanting wings, when he is looking at birds because he longs for freedom from the oppression.
This film is literally proof that even people that friggin hate musicals… Can enjoy a musical. Even in a minor way. Because of the story. The story means everything.
That is so true! The story is trully amazing and you get used to the singing after a little bit 😅 i just never made the effort to watch a full musical. This was a good experience 💚💗
@@ReelIntrovert So, here's the thing. What's stopped you from watching musicals in the past? If it's the singing, do NOT focus on the singing. As a blind person, I learned this the hard way. I learned, instead, to focus, instead, on the "music" of a musical, i.e: the orchestra, and how that orchestra builds up and clues you into a song, and that guides the emotion even more. Why? Because the music gets weaved into the orchestral score of musicals more often than not, and you start to recognize everything from certain note phrases, to just instruments, to fullblown melodies which then represent characters or situations that come back later. A lot of non-musical fans focus on the song without actually listening to what's coming before it, so suddenly they're caught off guard but if you actually pay attention to the music you can mostly tell a song from a mile off unless it starts with no music.
@@jukesy1992 Nah, ignoring the singing in a musical is prob just a really bad idea. The singing is part of the point, as well as the music. My mom loves musicals BECAUSE she's blind. She can't see what they're feeling so them singing about it helps. Most musicals aren't 'suddenly singing' either, it has a purpose. SO I'd say if someone hates musicals because of the singing, they just don't like musicals, and that's valid.
@@kawaii33366 Exactly, you expresssed the point perfectly there. I'm also blind. I fully about not ignoring the singing that's why I used the word focus. The point I'm trying to make is to not just focus, on, the singing. You have to pay attention to the soundscape and music around it as well as it absolutely clues you in on what's happening. It's good to find someone else who knows a blind person, so thank you for commenting. Could you possibly write back about some visual stuff in Wicked I might have missed? I absolutely loved this film so much. Have you or your Mum (sorry, I'm in the UK so am more used to Mum but can use Mom too) seen the In The Heights movie adaptation? That also had reat sound designs during the songs especially the opening, then leading into In The Heights itself and absolutely Bennie's Dispatch.
Great review! Here’s a lil tip to get thru musicals, the story continues thru the music, they’re not just singing . Pay attention to the lyrics, the story is still being told 💚
I noticed that about half way and caught a lot more during editing. But im glad i actually was able to watch a musical for the first time since Chicago, it took me an hour to defrost but i got there eventually 😅😅💚
@@ReelIntrovert trust me i feel you lol im a singer and not big on musicals, the pep talk i had to tell myself before watching so i could focus 😝 but WE made it through, and it was amazing!!
@@iamdynezGenuine question because I LOVE musicals and just want to understand.... how does a singer not like musicals? 😅 they're so fun to sing!! And if you like both music and movies, what's the issue with them put together?
And there are layers within the performance. Like going back to the opening, the higher Glinda's singing goes in that song, the less truth she's telling.
Exactly, when she went “guys stahp” I knew they’d won 😂 I really wonder if there are many people who don’t get emotional there. Fun fact, the single tear and Galinda’s response “it’s okay” was unscripted. I think that’s why it hits especially hard.
I think that under it all Glinda is deeply insecure and scared. This makes her quick to try and appease people in power (whether she agrees with them or not). She isn't used to thinking for herself and standing up for what she thinks is right. She's grown up just being whatever made people like her most
But also she has "more" to lose, if she had gone with Elphaba. Her whole life has been comfortable and privileged and she's always been popular. Going with Elphaba meant that she would have to give up her comfortable and luxurious life, as well as her popularity.
Yes thats exactly it!!! She wants to be liked but shes so insecure. That scene with her dancing with Elphaba, they were both so vulnerable and it was beautiful to watch.
@@andkristianwashisname-o Also, unlike Elphaba, Glinda does not have powers (at least in the world of the musical). If you notice at the beginning, her bubble is mechanical, not magical. So she knows that going with Elphaba, not only would she be giving up the life she knows, she would not be able to fight in the same way and could even hold Elphaba back. There's the part in Defying Gravity where Elphaba is trying to get her to join her and one of Glinda's lines is "if we work in tandem", I think Glinda is realizing that they each have to fight in their own way. Elphaba takes on the mantle of "enemy" because she's been othered her whole life and now has the power to confront the oppressors directly, but Glinda realizes that her skills are with people and perception, so she can't go with her but she can try to fight from within the system. This is also foreshadowed in the Oz Dust ballroom, Glinda realizes that as sort of the social leader, she can ostrocize and people will follow her, but she can also use that popularity to influence people's perception of Elphaba, which she does. She embraces Elphaba's dance, and so they do as well. And even at the beginning, if you go back and watch No One Mourns the Wicked now that you know the arc of part 1, you'll see it in Ariana's performance that even as the munchkins are celebrating Elphaba's death, Glinda's trying to spoon feed them that there was more to her than what they've been told. "Are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?" She's trying to lead their thinking to question what they've been told. I mean, I think there is some truth that Glinda is scared and just isn't as capable of that kind of direct confrontation as Elphaba, but I also think there's some genuine self-awareness and growth that she can use her privilege and her strengths in ways that aren't as self-serving and could help drive public perception. This does get explored a lot more in the books and in part 2, though.
At the end, Glinda knows something Elphaba doesn't, and you touched on it for a second: Power resides where it is perceived. Elphaba thinks because the Wizard of Oz has no magic powers and because Madam Morrible's magic is much weaker than hers that she, Elphaba, is much more powerful than they are. But that's not exactly true. They have authority. They're *popular*, which confers its own privilege and danger. Glinda has always known this. She doesn't have magic powers. But she knows how to make herself liked in order to get what she wants, and she knows that if the popular people decide they don't like you, they can make your life really, really miserable without any magic at all. After all, she's done it, albeit on a much pettier level. She's decided she was wrong to do that to Elphaba before. She loves Elphaba now (and you can decide for yourself what that involves). She has actually done a great deal to protect Elphaba and make her life better since they became friends. But she can't protect Elphaba from the Wizard of Oz and Madam Morrible. She's not *that* popular yet. She also doesn't have the kind of courage Elphaba has to be disliked, no matter how painful it may be. I think in the end, she urges Elphaba first to play along and then to apologize not for the sake of her own ambition but because she has a kind of political savvy and awareness Elphaba doesn't and knows even before the announcement goes out just what kind of horrors Elphaba is in for. And she can't go with Elphaba because she doesn't want to face that for herself. She can give Elphaba courage that Elphaba herself lacks to face a room full of hostile party people or to walk up to the scary wizard in the first place. But she can't face life as a public enemy.
@@KnowledgeSeeker78491I heard the bubble is made by the device of the wizard and I don’t know about Glinda real power but it just seems her power is the weakest compared to Elphaba or Morrible.
Wow, this is an absolutely brilliant comment. I am also wondering how this will relate to things like For Good. What I didn't realize is that act 2 of the actual musical takes place over years, seemingly, and I think even part 1 is confirming that now because Glinda says "many years ago". I then have a question as well. Everything that we're seeing, is the Glinda relating back her recollection of events to the citizens of Oz? Because if so, that could make things interesting: after her story is done, how do these citizens react? Is Elphaba still an enemy?
45:23 it's less disappointing if you read glinda's pleading for elphaba to turn around and apologize to run back to safety as her terrified of what's going to happen to her best friend if she becomes an enemy of the state. combined with her own selfishness and fear, she really ends up looking like a total villain in this ending but I like to think she will always care about elphaba. I agree with you, by the end she's just trying to survive
@@haileybraun6170 to this I add that Glinda also behave like a child a lot and that in these scenes, she looks like a child who wants to convince herself that daddy and mummy are not evil. She is not mature enough to process this so she tries to make it makes sense for her by thinking "maybe they are not bad guys and there is an explanation". It is also most reassuring to think this than to think "let's fight dictators", so she wants it to be true. Elphaba is there to remind her that it is not.
@@nanalove3819adding to both I think the timing here is crucial. Why does Morrible send Elphaba to the Wizard when she barely has control of her powers? To me it seems like she’s seeing this friendship and knows it could be a problem. I mean this could be a power couple! If there had been more time for them to influence each other Glinda could have learned more and backed up Elphaba and/or Elphaba could have learned the power of PR politics. How easy would it have been for these two to play along and depose the wizard from the inside? Between one’s power and one’s popularity/connections, they could be a huge force. However while the friendship is strong, it’s newer, even if we push a timeline it’s less than a year. I look back on myself even in my mid 20s at first jobs and think how things would have been different if I knew more. So I think the timing here is very calculated.
@@kat-5432 Yes... Morrible wants control of Elphaba's powers, but in order to control someone and make them submissive to you... you have to isolate them from everyone else. Elphaba was already isolated because of her skin color and Morrible recognizes this. Until her and Glinda became friends. That gave Elphaba someone else to look to instead of Miss Morrible and she realized that friendship could become a threat to her objective.
24:42 Yes, in The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy and her companions have to cross a field of poppies, but that makes them fall asleep. It's a reference to the real life narcotic effect of the poppy's seeds... which are used to make opium.
Thank you Stacey. You are a life saver in the comment section, i feel like i really need to watch the wizard of oz now to really get immersed in the Oz world
Glad you gave this a shot despite not liking musicals. I will admit I had my doubts about watching your video seeing you complain every time there is singing, but I stuck it out because I hoped that Defying Gravity would shake you and was not disappointed! As someone who loves musicals, a saying of the genre is that singing is for when the emotions are too much for words. A good musical obviously needs songs that are fun to listen to, but I see it as so much more important for the song to give us a look into what the characters are feeling and thinking, especially when the song shows us a journey of emotions (like Defying Gravity does). I truly believe that the final song would not be capable of feeling so powerful, so life changing, if it was not done with song.
That is so true! It took me to about half way to not feel bothered by the songs and i will have to rewatch but defying gravity just blew me away! The emotion, like you said, cant be conveyed with words alone. It needed the music it needed the singing and the notes. Dear god i have chills right now thinking about it. Thank you for sticking with me 😝 i have a new found respect for musicals and i will give them more of a try.
I was seriously pleasantly surprised. It took me a while to not feel the need to distract myself during the songs but this is the first musical i tried watching in over a decade and omg. Now i feel like maybe i can try more.
@@ReelIntrovert If you enjoyed this, I urge you to check the director's other musical adaptation, In The Heights. This became his stepping stone for Wicked. Also, whilst a different director, Matilda The Musical on I think it's Netflix.
@@ReelIntrovert nah, few have made it onto film his well - other than the ones you’ve mentioned. Musicals, in person however (like and especially Hamilton), can be some of the greatest and meaningful and memorable art/entertainment one can find.
After the first watch it changes how you perceive Glindas performance in “no one mourns the wicked” how she could be singing about herself. Being a poster child for society in a dictatorship, with no real power. The choices she made and how she’s truly alone in the truth.
Love watching your review Cynthia is the artist of a generation. This level of talent, singing, acting, is someone we only get about every twenty years. Extraordinary
She is incredible, and i saw an interview where she mentionned she trainned to be able to sing live and do her stunts at the same time. I can't wait to see part 2 and more project she will be in!
As someone who was used to adversity, Elphie might have been more equipped to take that step and rebel, when for Glinda, she’s literally never stepped out of line or had to face up to someone in any serious way. Like you said she’s just scared and trying to survive, and I think she will spend a lot of time regretting it in the future. I’m so glad you gave it a go, and it was great go watch your opinion change as you watched 😊 I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s my favourite movie (though I AM a musical fan)
One could even say... Glinda lived inside her own bubble her whole life, and she's not ready to pop it yet. Gives a whole new meaning to the beginning scene when she DOES pop the bubble and starts encouraging the Munchkins to think about whether the witch was really wicked.
Im so glad to see you gave it a chance! As someone who has a musical mind, I wish that I could get more people that don't like musicals to watch them. So many of them have the nuance and the emotion. And that feeling you said at the end, like the wind went through you, I have felt like that from very few musicals. But Wicked (live or the movie) does it every time. I can't wait until you get a chance to see part two! I will be watching more of your videos! And Happy Birthday!!!
I know some people are taken out the story when they start singing. However, I'm pretty sure that most people have the ability to appreciate musicals on some level. I would assume most people feel things on a different level when hearing music in general. There are certain emotions you are able to convey better through music. I think most people's problems with musicals is that they don't follow lyrics in the same way as dialogue. The great thing about Wicked's songs is that all the songs serve a purpose to drive the story forward while also being able to convey the right emotion(s) for the story. PS. Love the plants! and Go Capricorns!
i feel like glinda logically could never have gotten on that broomstick with her. Glinda's personal motto is "its not about aptitude its the way you're viewed" she has no real power just like the wizard. and when she was put into a situation where her life was on the line, all she could do was follow elpheba's lead and sternly tell the guards "NO STOP!!!". Whereas elpheba made sound judgements in an otherwise dire situation and was able to follow through on what was needed to be done. Glinda without much magic and her biggest strength (being beloved) is hampered if she were an outcast has no skills to help elpheba whatsoever. Whereas elpheba not only has the power to physically fight back, she also has kinship with the scorned animals and knows how deal with being hated by society. Honestly there are so many parallels to Glinda and the wizard like how they promise to solve peoples issues without having the power to do so.
18:34 The only thing Glinda ends up adding is a pink flower during her big makeover- she thinks Elphie is beautiful as is (whether that be platonically or romantically)
A beautiful film that showcases self love and friendship, but knowing what happens it breaks my gay ole heart 💔 Ariana & Cynthia’s performances were amazing!! also loved the reaction hun!! 💚🩷
love the video so far :) to answer a couple of your questions: the love triangle is indeed a big factor of the musical. but a lot of people think that elphaba is actually the one in the middle, because glinda's true loyalty and love goes more towards her, while she seems to stay with fiyero out of obligation. ariana granda has said several times that she thinks glinda is queer and in love with elphie instead. and about the wizard, most people never get to meet him. he is kept mysterious and distant on purpose, but i'm sure you know why by the end of the movie.
@@ReelIntrovert well even if you watch the original wizard of oz, he was a con man there...I think from Nebraska ^^;; He was just an ordinary guy from our world.
Absolutely love your reaction!! Wicked is my favorite musical ever, and I’m so glad it was taken care of by people who cared❤ without spoiling part two in my opinion Glinda was the first person to show Elphaba unconditional love, however, Fiyero was the first person to show Elphaba unwavering loyalty. I can’t wait for part 2!!
I never saw the stage play and after seeing this, fell in love with this movie. I have mixed feelings about musicals. But what I got this time is that the songs are a way of telling a story and adding emotion to each events. The Ozdust Ballroom scene floored me. To see such string emotion and communication in an almost a silent scene was amazing. At the point both Ephaba and Glinda had surrendered to one another, which in some spiritual circles is an act of self forgiveness. So glad you saw this. It was fun watching your reaction. ☺♥
Also the "Oz Dust Ballroom" scene is a pivotal moment that underscores Elphaba's outsider status and inner resilience. The absence of background music during her solo dancing moment is a deliberate artistic choice to highlight her vulnerability and the raw courage it takes for her to embrace her uniqueness in front of those mocking her. This moment focuses solely on Elphaba-her movements, emotions, and isolation-rather than distracting the audience with music or the reactions of others- you notice after a certain point it’s just silent even those that were speaking badly about her stopped talking. It contrasts the lively, rhythmic energy of the scene before and after, emphasizing how out of sync Elphaba is with the norms of the society around her. It’s a powerful narrative device, reinforcing the theme of individuality versus conformity, which is central to the story of Wicked. Honestly the whole movie is so powerful and just what we all needed this year. 😢❤
I can’t speak for all wheelchair users but boq absolutely asked nessa out because he felt sorry for her. It’s quite common for able bodied people (not all but a lot in my experience) for people to interact with me because it makes them feel better about themselves by comparison
I wished so much that he actually liked her but in the end she saw it, and she was so hurt. Its a sad reality and hopefully we all can do better as a society.
In the comments it looks like you started to get the songs. The thing about musicals is that song is used to express emotions beyond what speech can convey. Dance goes beyond song. So much emotion!
It's pretty much a perfect movie. The novel is even better, believe it or not, but it's a much more serious and complicated story than the musical adaptation. The novel is a tragedy, and the musical was turned into a comedy but it obviously retains a tragic foundation. The only thing that has bothered me about the movie is that the audience, including critics, seem only to have seen a story about two enemies who turned into friends, and everyone seems totally blind to the burgeoning animal genocide-HELLO! The novel's original inspiration was actually author Gregory Maguire pondering how someone like Hitler becomes evil, so it's really weird to me that that story was converted into a Mean Girls musical. But the genocide is still there; it's just chilling to me that the audience doesn't even register that part of the story. If you haven't seen the movie Cabaret, you might really love it, as well. Yes, it's a Fosse musical and it's kind of exactly what you would expect in that regard-but the story catches you off guard and turns into something you'd probably never expect-in a good way and a devastating way.
Loved how this movie turned you all the way around from being resistant to loving it and crying at the end with the rest of us :D The thing that made musicals click with me was when someone explained that in a good musical - such as Wicked - there are basically two reasons that people sing: 1. To move the story on (so they were able to get you from Glinda and Elphaba being enemies all the way to them being best friends in a single song). 2. To give you the emotion of the characters - the idea is that the emotions / feelings of the characters are so intense that they can't be expressed in dialogue so instead the only way get them out is to sing them. So "The Wizard and I" is Elphaba's "I Want" song - it lets the character tell you her deepest most secret desire that she would never tell anyone else.
Musicals are so underrated! The songs are a vehicle for the plot, and once you get used to it, like you said you barely notice if they’re singing or talking. I hope you give another one a chance someday! There are a lot of phenomenal plots to be discovered! Also I’ve found myself judging reactions based on their takes on the Ozdust and Dr. Dillamond’s sacking, and you totally got it. Thank you so much for really letting yourself feel those moments
You hit the nail on the head about who her dad is. Not a lot of people catch it cuz they had him disguise his voice and why they don't have him show his face.
his voice is literally how I realised that the wizard was her dad. I knew Jeff had been cast as The Wizard, and as soon as he started singing "Have another drink my dark-eyed beauty..." I knew it was Jeff. Though I could see how someone not familiar with his music might not get it.
Yeah this was a great choice for someone who doesn't particularly like musicals. I think the pacing, the style, and then the skill of the performer's plus the relatable story (being the odd one out, feeling unwanted, finding that person who connects to you, questioning authority and everything you held in high esteem, betrayal, etc) makes it super engaging.
So, you know that first time when you said "another song" with the "how I hate to leave you" bit? Um, yeah, all of that, from "good news, the witch of the west is dead", all the way to the great big "wiiiiiiiiicked", that's a seven minute song featuring all of that.
@@ReelIntrovert Yes. It's called No One Morns the Wicked. Same with the ballroom, that's Dancing Through Life, that's one complete song right from when Fiero says "the trouble with schools is they always try to teach the wrong lessons", all the way to when Elphaba goes into the ballroom all the way to the end of the bit where Elphaba and Galinda dance. That is like a 9 minute song on the soundtrack with the Ozdust Duet then being a separate instrumental track.
Glinda is definitely a lawful nuetral. She isn't a bad person, but she isn't a good person. She's oblivious to her bad intentions, and genuinely thinks she's helping, but she is also so concerned about what others thing and can't bring herself to go against the majority at the end. She doesn't want Elphaba hurt and she cares for her. She doesn't want her to be depicted as an enemy but can't go against the wizard either. Some backstory. In the Wizard of Oz, you find out the wizard is a fake and he is someoen from our world who ended up in Oz and use parlor tricks to trick everyone. Also, Ariana Grande started on Broadway at 14 and was a nickolodeon actor on the show Victorious, so I knew her as an actor and couldn't take her seriously as a singer since I saw her as an actor first. I'm happy to see her back.
Love that people are experiencing Wicked for the first time! This movie only covered half of the Broadway show and ended at the “Intermission” point. All the questions you have will be answered on the 2nd part. Try to avoid spoilers as most people already know what happens, hopefully they’ll get the 2nd half out soon!
I know you don't care for the music but there are underlying messages within the lyrics that give the story a deeper meaning so hopefully you'll listen to the music more intently lol and happy birthday!
For someone who hates musicals you were completely open minded and you were a joy to watch! I got chills watching along with you!! Great reaction and I cant wait to see you react to Part 2 in November :D
"The wind just blew through me" SO TRUE!!! Something about the final part of Defying Gravity always manages to take my breath away. Who knew a musical can be so captivating you forget how to breathe 😅🥹 great reaction video
What's even more impressive than the regular skill level of the singing, is finding out that they were all singing live on set (and that's the singing used in the movie - they weren't lip syncing to a studio recording). So Cynthia Erivo was singing defying gravity while literally flying through the air on a harness and going upside down.
You sat through it! It was so cool to see you get into it as the movie went on. That last sequence is incredible! I love your appreciation for the smaller details, and I loved this reaction!
It really got me little by little. When i was editing i could see the difference of me not payibg attention to the songs to really listening. This was the perfect musical for me to trully try out and stick with 😍
Great reaction! Loved seeing how it got you bit by bit, lol. I thought the same falling out over Fiyero would happen and I was glad that wasn't what separated them. It felt too trivial, I thought the way they did it made so much more sense and I could see both of their reasons and why it would drive them so fully apart. I believe that Galinda behaves how she does because she wants Elphaba to not be killed taking on an entire nation on her own (and she also isn't ready to die joining her and go against literally everyone else). Of course knowing what we know we are on Elphaba's side and Galinda's trying to diffuse the situation instead of fighting back is likely going to lead to her being trapped and used by evil people. She probably thinks if they live today they can enact change from the inside, plus she has never felt safe without social approval, Elphaba has lived her whole life as an outcast so she knows she can survive it. And honestly, as much as I'd love to be someone who would immediately rise up and fight, I think if a world leader who could have me executed with a flick of his wrist has just shown himself to be incredibly dangerous and sent an army after me and the person I loved most... I'd probably take whatever route that I thought would diffuse the situation and prevent violence. The courage and self assurance to rise up alone like that is why Elphaba is a hero.
The Production Design in this movie is top notch. The performances were great and plenty of comedic moments to make it a fun watch. I know you don't like musicals, but if you did then you'd enjoy the songs a lot more... they are amazing and the vocals from everyone are fantastic. This really is such a well-done movie. Props to Jon Chu (the director) for bringing this to life.
If you loved the set and the detail, you should read about how they made all of the sets! They said in the extras for the movie that they made huge sets for Shiz, Emerald City and Munchkin Land. Supposedly for Shiz specifically they could quite actually go inside and explore it as if it were a real place!
It makes me so happy to see someone who doesn't like musicals (and you're not the only one) actually watch it and end up really enjoying it and getting pulled into it visually and emotionally. That OzDust Ballroom scene always breaks me and "Defying Gravity". The movie is so good on so many levels.
spoilers if u watch the original wizard of oz there's the poppies seen which makes everyone sleep so the only one who doesn't sleep is the scarecrow that travels with Dorothy . fiyero in part 2 if u watched the original musical he turns into the scarecrow in part 2 , which is the way i think they'll head fiyero turns into the scarecrow its kind of a foreshadowing
This movie is based on a Broadway musical that came out in 2003... based on a 1995 book. This movie is Act 1 of the Broadway musical. Act 2/Part 2 will come out in Nov 2025. This movie (except for the opening) is mostly a prequel to the original 1939 movie musical "The Wizard of Oz" (based on a book that came out in 1900) which you should also watch/react to. The coming Part 2 is a jump in time to when the 1939 movie takes place with Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, the Tinman, and Scarecrow, who you see for a few seconds at the start of the movie before the flashback to Shiz University where Galinda and Elphaba meet.
Also of note... The 1939 movie is probably the adaptation that is the least faithful to the original novel's representation of the land of Oz and its inhabitants. The 1995 that Wicked is based off of is quite a faithful fanfic, and the musical and this movie follow it fairly well, though this movie (and presumably part 2) adds in quite a lot that the musical didn't have. The Broadway musical is 2:45 hours long, and this movie, which represents only the first half of the musical, is 5 minutes shorter than the whole musical....
i was a bit skeptical in seeing a musical hater's perspective on this and though I cannot relate, I understand if musicals just don't work for some people. I think it's super cool you tried to watch something that wasn't your cup of tea and you discovered a hidden gem you didn't think you'd like, and that you found your OWN way of enjoying Wicked! I totally agree with what people say regarding the music in musicals - the music is how we get true insight on the characters, especially their deepest feelings. There is still story unfolding through these songs! However, I must also say that the effect is different when it comes to movie musicals and I can agree that there may be some disconnect there that wouldn't exist in a live theater production, and the things that feel cringe in a movie are less so on the stage. So I don't blame you! I know you don't like musicals so I won't push it, but if you were ever curious enough to give it a try, give yourself the space to see a musical live and you'll see what I mean LOL. The energy is COMPLETELY different. TLDR it's nice to discover new things you might like! i'm glad you enjoyed Wicked!
Hey thank you for your understanding 😅 and i am open to seeing more musicals. Im sure i wont necessarily like them all but im definitely more open to it. Any suggestions?
I loved this reaction! I so appreciate that as a non-muscial fan you were willing to go outside your comfort zone and give this a try. Well done to you. 🙂
I think Glinda "popular" scene is so misunderstood. Being popular is what gets her everything she wants, it's her power. She doesn't realise that it comes from a privilege place, she genuinely believes it's what will help you get everything you want. She wants that for Elphaba and by trying to teach her to be popular, she believes she is giving her the key to have everything she wants in life. Glinda wants magic but Elphaba dreams of people appreciating her (wizard and I lyrics). They both have a power that the other one hence why the jealousy that comes through in the "what is this feeling song". Elphaba is giving Glinda the key to magic by having her access the class and in return Glinda wants to give her what got her everything she ever wanted: being popular. Her heart is genuinely in the right place here Also in the end Galinda saying to Elphie to apologise is just because she trusts the system and she thinks that they can impact it from the inside (since her system always benefited her she is sure she can influence people the right way) but leaving with Elphie... She has nothing to offer. Her power is to be liked. She knows she can't go
I’m not a huge fan of musicals either. There’s very few that I’ll watch over and over - The Sound of Music, Little Shop of Horrors, West Side Story (original version) and now Wicked. But that said I watched Wicked 7 times in theatres because it was that good and now own it on two platforms. So I’ll be watching it unlimited times. 🤣😭
This film is definitely ozmazing and deserves all the Ozcars and was worth the wait!! I will never forget my first experience of seeing the musical and seeing all the beautiful sets and the costume designs, as well as the amazing talented cast. I really connected with Elphaba, so I was so hyped to see this iconic story come to the screen! Ironically the first musical I ever performed was the Wizard of Oz where I played Professor Marvel and the Wizard. And I even got the chance to perform the show again and share the stage with my nephew. I can’t wait to see the conclusion in Wicked: For Good. Fun fact, this iconic musical is based on a novel which also is a saga of its own if you wish to read it; I should caution you that it’s very different, a lot darker, and more mature. Also back in early 2000s before it was made into the iconic Broadway musical, there was a plan to adapt the story into a movie and sell my Hayek was one of the actresses considered for the role of Elphaba. Also Elphaba’s name is a play on L. Frank Baum, the author of the original classic novel, the wonderful Wizard of Oz . 👸🏼🪄🫧💖🖤💚✨🧹🧙🏿♀️
Maybe it isn't so much that you dislike musicals, more that you just _think_ you do 😉 I can't promise they'll all be as good as this, but notice that Elpheba's real magical superpower is her ability to sing the fuck out of everybody else - simply amazing! As is Cynthia Erivo irl. You should should take a look into her - I think you might like her.
I wonder if it might be the suspension of disbelief. It could come off as fake and corny if you’re not used to musicals. And musicals are inaccessible for many people, while musical movies aren’t but might be harder to get lost in maybe? Just ideas
Your reaction is literally the reason why I came back 5 times to the theater. I love to experience people go through this journey. ❤ You're a real one gurl
During the dance scene Arianna didn’t learn the choreography until the filming so it would be more authentic…so she’s learning it. Also if you look toward the train scene Galinda outfit looks similar to Cynthia’s when she arrives at Shiz only in pink. Shows they’re rubbing off on each other.
One of the things i don't like about the movie is that after the whole goat teacher being taken away and Elphaba putting people to sleep, the next scene is her going to Oz. Why wouldn't that head teacher, students, school and everyone have a conversation about what happened.
I didn’t even think about that. You’re right tho. I wonder if it’s different in the play or the book. I seen the play in NY but it was a long time ago (2013) and I can’t remember.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the musical and it's story. And hearing you are going to watch it again had me smile. Great video and pov from one who dislikes musicals. Thank you.✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚
I enjoyed this. One suggestion: if you decide to do other musical reactions, I hope you'll think about other ways to avoid copyright infringement. The sped up vocals took away from your reaction, and you don't need to do that to avoid being demonetized.
With Universal i didnt want to take any chances (and it still got blocked i had to cut more) and it was all music. I will try different methods next time to keep more music in. Im just scared of Universal. 😅
Something about modern musicals is that the songs usually further the story and develop characters - it's a trend that began with Oklahoma (1940) and for the last fifty years or so, there haven't been any musicals that put the songs in for fun and that's all. Even Anything Goes (1931) was heavily revamped in the 1970s to follow that formula to an extent. Wicked was released in the early Noughties, so every song is full of character, story or emotion. It's actually amazing that it lost the Tony to Avenue Q. That's also a great musical about young adulthood (basically Sesame Street for new college graduates - I have a BA in English just like the main character), but it doesn't have the depth or drama this had. I will understand if you don't want to watch another musical, but I advise you to have a look at musicals' source material. A lot of modern musicals started with movies, such as Beetlejuice, Heathers, Mean Girls, Hairspray and several others. Wicked was very loosely based on a 1995 book of the same name, and stories such as Sweeney Todd, The Phantom of the Opera and countless others also got their start in literature. Then there's the historical ones, the biblical ones, etc. There's so much theatre you can explore without touching a musical again. In fact, I advise you not to touch Mean Girls the Musical. It doesn't hold a candle to the original movie and isn't adapted very well from stage to screen either, so it will turn you off musicals even more. I don't want to force you into theatre-kiddom, but no need for you to watch badly adapted ones.
Haha a lot of people said i got it but im not sure which part haha the love triangle? the dad?? Dont answer but i cant wait to figure it out in part 2.
I saw this play in 2013 when I was 16 with my mom who hates musical like absolutely despises them. When we left she said that was one of the best things she's ever seen. I am not sure who played the two in the one I saw as it was off Broadway but they did so wonderful their voices were so beautiful and its been near and dear to my heart ever since then. And I think Cynthia has a beautiful voice in this movie too, I first heard her sing in the movie Harriet.
So glad you loved the movie!! Can I just ask though, what is it about musicals you don't like? I always like to ask people this to get perspective. I'm a huge musical lover lol. Music is so fun and when it's paired with actual story (regular music can have a story too but with musicals that's the whole point of the music) it makes it even more fun, to sing especially. I also love singing and musical theater vocals are just something else. Music makes certain scenes all the more powerful as well, and gives impact in a way that regular old dialogue just can't do. That's the power of musicals!
Hey everyone, i just want to explain that I forced myself to watch a musical. Yes i may complain about "another song" but come on this journey with me. Trying something new is not always easy but this was such a good experience. 💚💗
It’s to be explected when interacting with a new form of media. The Wicked movie is a great starter though because they really blew it out of the water, this movie is as long as the stage show despite it only covering act one so you can see how much efoort went into it.
I really enjoyed your reaction because even if you weren’t feeling the musical aspect at first you still found enjoyment in other aspects rather than write off the film entirely.
But complaining about it all the time, when you put yourself in this situation can throw people off a lot.
@@AnahíViturinoyeah it's almost like stepping out of your comfort zone to see if you like something is uncomfortable or something. btw, they very obviously become more acclimated to the atmosphere of the film as the video goes on even though they don't care for the musical aspect. like???? why is this an issue
Complain all the time 🤔 when did i complain besides saying "another song" at the very begining? I made sure to not complain too much to be respectful.
8:21 Girl it really felt like a lot of complaining even in the 8min that I saw. It wasn't disrespectful, but it was irritating for me to watch someone who seemed so closed minded about musicals. You got through the movie though, which is more than I was able to do with your reaction vid so good job.
So it seems everyone mistakes the monkey looking at birds as him wanting wings, when he is looking at birds because he longs for freedom from the oppression.
Obviously I think the wizard knows this too. He just says it to convince elphaba to do it, so he can get his spies.
@@sicmundus2348Couldn’t the flying monkeys just fly away…
@@sicmundus2348 also I feel like 'everyone deserves a chance to fly' was subtle manipulation too
EXACTLY THIS
@@sicmundus2348he and Morrible always weaponize her empathy to try and manipulate her into achieving their goals! He totally knew
This film is literally proof that even people that friggin hate musicals… Can enjoy a musical. Even in a minor way. Because of the story. The story means everything.
That is so true! The story is trully amazing and you get used to the singing after a little bit 😅 i just never made the effort to watch a full musical. This was a good experience 💚💗
@@ReelIntrovert So, here's the thing. What's stopped you from watching musicals in the past? If it's the singing, do NOT focus on the singing. As a blind person, I learned this the hard way. I learned, instead, to focus, instead, on the "music" of a musical, i.e: the orchestra, and how that orchestra builds up and clues you into a song, and that guides the emotion even more. Why? Because the music gets weaved into the orchestral score of musicals more often than not, and you start to recognize everything from certain note phrases, to just instruments, to fullblown melodies which then represent characters or situations that come back later. A lot of non-musical fans focus on the song without actually listening to what's coming before it, so suddenly they're caught off guard but if you actually pay attention to the music you can mostly tell a song from a mile off unless it starts with no music.
@@jukesy1992 Nah, ignoring the singing in a musical is prob just a really bad idea. The singing is part of the point, as well as the music. My mom loves musicals BECAUSE she's blind. She can't see what they're feeling so them singing about it helps. Most musicals aren't 'suddenly singing' either, it has a purpose.
SO I'd say if someone hates musicals because of the singing, they just don't like musicals, and that's valid.
@@kawaii33366 Exactly, you expresssed the point perfectly there. I'm also blind. I fully about not ignoring the singing that's why I used the word focus. The point I'm trying to make is to not just focus, on, the singing. You have to pay attention to the soundscape and music around it as well as it absolutely clues you in on what's happening.
It's good to find someone else who knows a blind person, so thank you for commenting. Could you possibly write back about some visual stuff in Wicked I might have missed? I absolutely loved this film so much.
Have you or your Mum (sorry, I'm in the UK so am more used to Mum but can use Mom too) seen the In The Heights movie adaptation? That also had reat sound designs during the songs especially the opening, then leading into In The Heights itself and absolutely Bennie's Dispatch.
Great review! Here’s a lil tip to get thru musicals, the story continues thru the music, they’re not just singing . Pay attention to the lyrics, the story is still being told 💚
I noticed that about half way and caught a lot more during editing. But im glad i actually was able to watch a musical for the first time since Chicago, it took me an hour to defrost but i got there eventually 😅😅💚
@@ReelIntrovert trust me i feel you lol im a singer and not big on musicals, the pep talk i had to tell myself before watching so i could focus 😝 but WE made it through, and it was amazing!!
@iamdynez omg hes i had a pep talk to before the movie 🤣🤣 but it was all worth it in the end
@@iamdynezGenuine question because I LOVE musicals and just want to understand.... how does a singer not like musicals? 😅 they're so fun to sing!! And if you like both music and movies, what's the issue with them put together?
And there are layers within the performance. Like going back to the opening, the higher Glinda's singing goes in that song, the less truth she's telling.
When you cried at the oz dust duet I knew they gotchu 🤣 it’s Wicked season
Hooked lined and sinker! 😭
Imagine seeing that the day it premiered
I still can’t watch it without crying
Exactly, when she went “guys stahp” I knew they’d won 😂 I really wonder if there are many people who don’t get emotional there. Fun fact, the single tear and Galinda’s response “it’s okay” was unscripted. I think that’s why it hits especially hard.
That scene destroyed me in the theater ❤
I think that under it all Glinda is deeply insecure and scared. This makes her quick to try and appease people in power (whether she agrees with them or not). She isn't used to thinking for herself and standing up for what she thinks is right. She's grown up just being whatever made people like her most
But also she has "more" to lose, if she had gone with Elphaba. Her whole life has been comfortable and privileged and she's always been popular. Going with Elphaba meant that she would have to give up her comfortable and luxurious life, as well as her popularity.
Yes thats exactly it!!! She wants to be liked but shes so insecure. That scene with her dancing with Elphaba, they were both so vulnerable and it was beautiful to watch.
@@ReelIntrovert when you think about it Glinda has also never had a real friend before Elphaba. She had admirers and followers but no friends
@@andkristianwashisname-o Also, unlike Elphaba, Glinda does not have powers (at least in the world of the musical). If you notice at the beginning, her bubble is mechanical, not magical. So she knows that going with Elphaba, not only would she be giving up the life she knows, she would not be able to fight in the same way and could even hold Elphaba back. There's the part in Defying Gravity where Elphaba is trying to get her to join her and one of Glinda's lines is "if we work in tandem", I think Glinda is realizing that they each have to fight in their own way. Elphaba takes on the mantle of "enemy" because she's been othered her whole life and now has the power to confront the oppressors directly, but Glinda realizes that her skills are with people and perception, so she can't go with her but she can try to fight from within the system. This is also foreshadowed in the Oz Dust ballroom, Glinda realizes that as sort of the social leader, she can ostrocize and people will follow her, but she can also use that popularity to influence people's perception of Elphaba, which she does. She embraces Elphaba's dance, and so they do as well. And even at the beginning, if you go back and watch No One Mourns the Wicked now that you know the arc of part 1, you'll see it in Ariana's performance that even as the munchkins are celebrating Elphaba's death, Glinda's trying to spoon feed them that there was more to her than what they've been told. "Are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?" She's trying to lead their thinking to question what they've been told. I mean, I think there is some truth that Glinda is scared and just isn't as capable of that kind of direct confrontation as Elphaba, but I also think there's some genuine self-awareness and growth that she can use her privilege and her strengths in ways that aren't as self-serving and could help drive public perception. This does get explored a lot more in the books and in part 2, though.
hey I’m Ryan I have a movie request Austin powers international man of mystery and if you can please wear gloves to
You're one of very few reactors going in cold who picked up the clues of the wizard being her father - nice job!
At the end, Glinda knows something Elphaba doesn't, and you touched on it for a second: Power resides where it is perceived. Elphaba thinks because the Wizard of Oz has no magic powers and because Madam Morrible's magic is much weaker than hers that she, Elphaba, is much more powerful than they are. But that's not exactly true. They have authority. They're *popular*, which confers its own privilege and danger. Glinda has always known this. She doesn't have magic powers. But she knows how to make herself liked in order to get what she wants, and she knows that if the popular people decide they don't like you, they can make your life really, really miserable without any magic at all. After all, she's done it, albeit on a much pettier level.
She's decided she was wrong to do that to Elphaba before. She loves Elphaba now (and you can decide for yourself what that involves). She has actually done a great deal to protect Elphaba and make her life better since they became friends. But she can't protect Elphaba from the Wizard of Oz and Madam Morrible. She's not *that* popular yet. She also doesn't have the kind of courage Elphaba has to be disliked, no matter how painful it may be.
I think in the end, she urges Elphaba first to play along and then to apologize not for the sake of her own ambition but because she has a kind of political savvy and awareness Elphaba doesn't and knows even before the announcement goes out just what kind of horrors Elphaba is in for. And she can't go with Elphaba because she doesn't want to face that for herself. She can give Elphaba courage that Elphaba herself lacks to face a room full of hostile party people or to walk up to the scary wizard in the first place. But she can't face life as a public enemy.
Very well said.
Put it into words beautifully
Glinda eventually gets powers
She enchants Nessa’s shoes and she rides in a bubble😂😂😂
@@KnowledgeSeeker78491I heard the bubble is made by the device of the wizard and I don’t know about Glinda real power but it just seems her power is the weakest compared to Elphaba or Morrible.
Wow, this is an absolutely brilliant comment. I am also wondering how this will relate to things like For Good. What I didn't realize is that act 2 of the actual musical takes place over years, seemingly, and I think even part 1 is confirming that now because Glinda says "many years ago". I then have a question as well. Everything that we're seeing, is the Glinda relating back her recollection of events to the citizens of Oz? Because if so, that could make things interesting: after her story is done, how do these citizens react? Is Elphaba still an enemy?
45:23 it's less disappointing if you read glinda's pleading for elphaba to turn around and apologize to run back to safety as her terrified of what's going to happen to her best friend if she becomes an enemy of the state. combined with her own selfishness and fear, she really ends up looking like a total villain in this ending but I like to think she will always care about elphaba. I agree with you, by the end she's just trying to survive
You can see it in her eyes she is so scared. She cant go against the Wisard.
@@haileybraun6170 to this I add that Glinda also behave like a child a lot and that in these scenes, she looks like a child who wants to convince herself that daddy and mummy are not evil. She is not mature enough to process this so she tries to make it makes sense for her by thinking "maybe they are not bad guys and there is an explanation". It is also most reassuring to think this than to think "let's fight dictators", so she wants it to be true. Elphaba is there to remind her that it is not.
@@nanalove3819adding to both I think the timing here is crucial. Why does Morrible send Elphaba to the Wizard when she barely has control of her powers?
To me it seems like she’s seeing this friendship and knows it could be a problem. I mean this could be a power couple! If there had been more time for them to influence each other Glinda could have learned more and backed up Elphaba and/or Elphaba could have learned the power of PR politics. How easy would it have been for these two to play along and depose the wizard from the inside? Between one’s power and one’s popularity/connections, they could be a huge force.
However while the friendship is strong, it’s newer, even if we push a timeline it’s less than a year. I look back on myself even in my mid 20s at first jobs and think how things would have been different if I knew more. So I think the timing here is very calculated.
@@kat-5432 Yes... Morrible wants control of Elphaba's powers, but in order to control someone and make them submissive to you... you have to isolate them from everyone else. Elphaba was already isolated because of her skin color and Morrible recognizes this. Until her and Glinda became friends. That gave Elphaba someone else to look to instead of Miss Morrible and she realized that friendship could become a threat to her objective.
24:42 Yes, in The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy and her companions have to cross a field of poppies, but that makes them fall asleep. It's a reference to the real life narcotic effect of the poppy's seeds... which are used to make opium.
Thank you Stacey. You are a life saver in the comment section, i feel like i really need to watch the wizard of oz now to really get immersed in the Oz world
@@ReelIntrovertWatch the wizard of oz now you understand a few more details
And Fiyero has done enough drugs that he’s completely immune
😂 joking of course but I do love that “theory”
Glad you gave this a shot despite not liking musicals. I will admit I had my doubts about watching your video seeing you complain every time there is singing, but I stuck it out because I hoped that Defying Gravity would shake you and was not disappointed!
As someone who loves musicals, a saying of the genre is that singing is for when the emotions are too much for words. A good musical obviously needs songs that are fun to listen to, but I see it as so much more important for the song to give us a look into what the characters are feeling and thinking, especially when the song shows us a journey of emotions (like Defying Gravity does). I truly believe that the final song would not be capable of feeling so powerful, so life changing, if it was not done with song.
That is so true! It took me to about half way to not feel bothered by the songs and i will have to rewatch but defying gravity just blew me away! The emotion, like you said, cant be conveyed with words alone. It needed the music it needed the singing and the notes. Dear god i have chills right now thinking about it.
Thank you for sticking with me 😝 i have a new found respect for musicals and i will give them more of a try.
We love to hear it. Well done for giving it a chance.
I was seriously pleasantly surprised. It took me a while to not feel the need to distract myself during the songs but this is the first musical i tried watching in over a decade and omg. Now i feel like maybe i can try more.
@@ReelIntrovert If you enjoyed this, I urge you to check the director's other musical adaptation, In The Heights. This became his stepping stone for Wicked. Also, whilst a different director, Matilda The Musical on I think it's Netflix.
@@ReelIntrovert nah, few have made it onto film his well - other than the ones you’ve mentioned.
Musicals, in person however (like and especially Hamilton), can be some of the greatest and meaningful and memorable art/entertainment one can find.
After the first watch it changes how you perceive Glindas performance in “no one mourns the wicked” how she could be singing about herself. Being a poster child for society in a dictatorship, with no real power. The choices she made and how she’s truly alone in the truth.
Love watching your review
Cynthia is the artist of a generation. This level of talent, singing, acting, is someone we only get about every twenty years.
Extraordinary
She is incredible, and i saw an interview where she mentionned she trainned to be able to sing live and do her stunts at the same time. I can't wait to see part 2 and more project she will be in!
@@ReelIntrovert if you want to see her in a non-musical role, she played Harriet Tubman in the 2019 movie Harriet
Me as well when I first watched it: I don't care about the music...
Me now: "NO ONE MOURNS THE WICKED - GOD NEWWWWWWS!!!"
Omg ive had the song popular in my head all day today 🤣🤣 this should be illegal haha
11:39 ‘Oh Peter. Why are you a goat?’ I can’t 😂
🤣🤣 haha 🐐
FWIW- the deal with musicals is that when emotions are too big for speech, you sing, and when they are too big for song, you dance.
As someone who was used to adversity, Elphie might have been more equipped to take that step and rebel, when for Glinda, she’s literally never stepped out of line or had to face up to someone in any serious way. Like you said she’s just scared and trying to survive, and I think she will spend a lot of time regretting it in the future.
I’m so glad you gave it a go, and it was great go watch your opinion change as you watched 😊 I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s my favourite movie (though I AM a musical fan)
One could even say... Glinda lived inside her own bubble her whole life, and she's not ready to pop it yet. Gives a whole new meaning to the beginning scene when she DOES pop the bubble and starts encouraging the Munchkins to think about whether the witch was really wicked.
Im so glad to see you gave it a chance! As someone who has a musical mind, I wish that I could get more people that don't like musicals to watch them. So many of them have the nuance and the emotion. And that feeling you said at the end, like the wind went through you, I have felt like that from very few musicals. But Wicked (live or the movie) does it every time. I can't wait until you get a chance to see part two! I will be watching more of your videos! And Happy Birthday!!!
I know some people are taken out the story when they start singing. However, I'm pretty sure that most people have the ability to appreciate musicals on some level. I would assume most people feel things on a different level when hearing music in general. There are certain emotions you are able to convey better through music.
I think most people's problems with musicals is that they don't follow lyrics in the same way as dialogue. The great thing about Wicked's songs is that all the songs serve a purpose to drive the story forward while also being able to convey the right emotion(s) for the story.
PS. Love the plants! and Go Capricorns!
i feel like glinda logically could never have gotten on that broomstick with her. Glinda's personal motto is "its not about aptitude its the way you're viewed" she has no real power just like the wizard. and when she was put into a situation where her life was on the line, all she could do was follow elpheba's lead and sternly tell the guards "NO STOP!!!". Whereas elpheba made sound judgements in an otherwise dire situation and was able to follow through on what was needed to be done.
Glinda without much magic and her biggest strength (being beloved) is hampered if she were an outcast has no skills to help elpheba whatsoever. Whereas elpheba not only has the power to physically fight back, she also has kinship with the scorned animals and knows how deal with being hated by society.
Honestly there are so many parallels to Glinda and the wizard like how they promise to solve peoples issues without having the power to do so.
18:34
The only thing Glinda ends up adding is a pink flower during her big makeover- she thinks Elphie is beautiful as is (whether that be platonically or romantically)
A beautiful film that showcases self love and friendship, but knowing what happens it breaks my gay ole heart 💔 Ariana & Cynthia’s performances were amazing!! also loved the reaction hun!! 💚🩷
Amazing performances and i cant wait for part 2!!!
love the video so far :)
to answer a couple of your questions: the love triangle is indeed a big factor of the musical. but a lot of people think that elphaba is actually the one in the middle, because glinda's true loyalty and love goes more towards her, while she seems to stay with fiyero out of obligation. ariana granda has said several times that she thinks glinda is queer and in love with elphie instead.
and about the wizard, most people never get to meet him. he is kept mysterious and distant on purpose, but i'm sure you know why by the end of the movie.
Yesss! Hes a fraud thats why 😂😂 now i wonder if he ever had powers at all or if he lost them 🤔🤔 im gonna have to read the books and everything
@@ReelIntrovert well even if you watch the original wizard of oz, he was a con man there...I think from Nebraska ^^;; He was just an ordinary guy from our world.
Absolutely love your reaction!! Wicked is my favorite musical ever, and I’m so glad it was taken care of by people who cared❤ without spoiling part two in my opinion Glinda was the first person to show Elphaba unconditional love, however, Fiyero was the first person to show Elphaba unwavering loyalty. I can’t wait for part 2!!
I never saw the stage play and after seeing this, fell in love with this movie. I have mixed feelings about musicals. But what I got this time is that the songs are a way of telling a story and adding emotion to each events. The Ozdust Ballroom scene floored me. To see such string emotion and communication in an almost a silent scene was amazing. At the point both Ephaba and Glinda had surrendered to one another, which in some spiritual circles is an act of self forgiveness. So glad you saw this. It was fun watching your reaction. ☺♥
The way your eyes got big at 22:50 😂😂😂 loved your reaction!!
Also the "Oz Dust Ballroom" scene is a pivotal moment that underscores Elphaba's outsider status and inner resilience. The absence of background music during her solo dancing moment is a deliberate artistic choice to highlight her vulnerability and the raw courage it takes for her to embrace her uniqueness in front of those mocking her.
This moment focuses solely on Elphaba-her movements, emotions, and isolation-rather than distracting the audience with music or the reactions of others- you notice after a certain point it’s just silent even those that were speaking badly about her stopped talking. It contrasts the lively, rhythmic energy of the scene before and after, emphasizing how out of sync Elphaba is with the norms of the society around her. It’s a powerful narrative device, reinforcing the theme of individuality versus conformity, which is central to the story of Wicked. Honestly the whole movie is so powerful and just what we all needed this year. 😢❤
I can’t speak for all wheelchair users but boq absolutely asked nessa out because he felt sorry for her. It’s quite common for able bodied people (not all but a lot in my experience) for people to interact with me because it makes them feel better about themselves by comparison
I wished so much that he actually liked her but in the end she saw it, and she was so hurt. Its a sad reality and hopefully we all can do better as a society.
@@bsommervold and yet when they actually have to do stuff, these people are nowhere to be seen...
No, he asked her because Glinda asked him to. That's literally shown 😭
In the comments it looks like you started to get the songs. The thing about musicals is that song is used to express emotions beyond what speech can convey. Dance goes beyond song. So much emotion!
32:52 Introducing the original Elphaba and Glinda on Broadway, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth.
I absolutely loved this cameo. So perfect!
@@StaceyGreenstein I got so excited when I see them lol. Had to explain to my friend next to me why.
It's pretty much a perfect movie. The novel is even better, believe it or not, but it's a much more serious and complicated story than the musical adaptation. The novel is a tragedy, and the musical was turned into a comedy but it obviously retains a tragic foundation. The only thing that has bothered me about the movie is that the audience, including critics, seem only to have seen a story about two enemies who turned into friends, and everyone seems totally blind to the burgeoning animal genocide-HELLO! The novel's original inspiration was actually author Gregory Maguire pondering how someone like Hitler becomes evil, so it's really weird to me that that story was converted into a Mean Girls musical. But the genocide is still there; it's just chilling to me that the audience doesn't even register that part of the story.
If you haven't seen the movie Cabaret, you might really love it, as well. Yes, it's a Fosse musical and it's kind of exactly what you would expect in that regard-but the story catches you off guard and turns into something you'd probably never expect-in a good way and a devastating way.
Loved how this movie turned you all the way around from being resistant to loving it and crying at the end with the rest of us :D
The thing that made musicals click with me was when someone explained that in a good musical - such as Wicked - there are basically two reasons that people sing:
1. To move the story on (so they were able to get you from Glinda and Elphaba being enemies all the way to them being best friends in a single song).
2. To give you the emotion of the characters - the idea is that the emotions / feelings of the characters are so intense that they can't be expressed in dialogue so instead the only way get them out is to sing them. So "The Wizard and I" is Elphaba's "I Want" song - it lets the character tell you her deepest most secret desire that she would never tell anyone else.
Musicals are so underrated! The songs are a vehicle for the plot, and once you get used to it, like you said you barely notice if they’re singing or talking.
I hope you give another one a chance someday! There are a lot of phenomenal plots to be discovered!
Also I’ve found myself judging reactions based on their takes on the Ozdust and Dr. Dillamond’s sacking, and you totally got it. Thank you so much for really letting yourself feel those moments
You hit the nail on the head about who her dad is. Not a lot of people catch it cuz they had him disguise his voice and why they don't have him show his face.
his voice is literally how I realised that the wizard was her dad. I knew Jeff had been cast as The Wizard, and as soon as he started singing "Have another drink my dark-eyed beauty..." I knew it was Jeff. Though I could see how someone not familiar with his music might not get it.
@@ser132Yeah as soon as he started talking and singing with the girls I put two and two together lol
Yeah this was a great choice for someone who doesn't particularly like musicals. I think the pacing, the style, and then the skill of the performer's plus the relatable story (being the odd one out, feeling unwanted, finding that person who connects to you, questioning authority and everything you held in high esteem, betrayal, etc) makes it super engaging.
So, you know that first time when you said "another song" with the "how I hate to leave you" bit? Um, yeah, all of that, from "good news, the witch of the west is dead", all the way to the great big "wiiiiiiiiicked", that's a seven minute song featuring all of that.
That was all one song?
@@ReelIntrovert Yes. It's called No One Morns the Wicked. Same with the ballroom, that's Dancing Through Life, that's one complete song right from when Fiero says "the trouble with schools is they always try to teach the wrong lessons", all the way to when Elphaba goes into the ballroom all the way to the end of the bit where Elphaba and Galinda dance. That is like a 9 minute song on the soundtrack with the Ozdust Duet then being a separate instrumental track.
The runtime flew by for my. They got Defying Gravity and I was like ALREADY?!
It really flew by, i was dreading the fact that it was almost 3 hours but it went by so fast
Glinda is definitely a lawful nuetral. She isn't a bad person, but she isn't a good person. She's oblivious to her bad intentions, and genuinely thinks she's helping, but she is also so concerned about what others thing and can't bring herself to go against the majority at the end. She doesn't want Elphaba hurt and she cares for her. She doesn't want her to be depicted as an enemy but can't go against the wizard either.
Some backstory. In the Wizard of Oz, you find out the wizard is a fake and he is someoen from our world who ended up in Oz and use parlor tricks to trick everyone.
Also, Ariana Grande started on Broadway at 14 and was a nickolodeon actor on the show Victorious, so I knew her as an actor and couldn't take her seriously as a singer since I saw her as an actor first. I'm happy to see her back.
MOTHER CYNTHIA HAD ME SOBBING AND ARI TOO….. your reaction is so lovely 💚🩷
Thank you!! It means a lot because watching a muwical was not something i envisioned myself doing at all lol but it was a good experience
The way it won you over in the end 😊
I was shocked! I was holding back tears at the end. I hope its still at the movies because i need this on a big screen haha
@@ReelIntrovert it still is in the movies I highly recommend watching it in theaters its amazing
The best musicals have a story strong enough that the music’s removal wouldn’t dilute the power of the story.
the two wise ones are the original Glinda and Elphaba 😍 it was a good surprise seeing them being a part of this. The legacy 👏🏻
Love that people are experiencing Wicked for the first time! This movie only covered half of the Broadway show and ended at the “Intermission” point. All the questions you have will be answered on the 2nd part. Try to avoid spoilers as most people already know what happens, hopefully they’ll get the 2nd half out soon!
Loved watching your emotional journey throughout this film
I just got the Wicked book for Christmas, and I am old enough to read it.
I just have to say I love your whole vibe! The plant wall and the color of the paint- gorgeous decorating! Loving the lip too!! ❤ Happy Birthday!
Thank you so much. My plants are my babies 🥰
I love your wall of plants with the dark pine green walls. SO GORGEOUS.
I know you don't care for the music but there are underlying messages within the lyrics that give the story a deeper meaning so hopefully you'll listen to the music more intently lol and happy birthday!
I didnt at first (like first 2 songs) but then i realised the lyrics were a continuation of the story. I caught a lot more while editing.
For someone who hates musicals you were completely open minded and you were a joy to watch! I got chills watching along with you!! Great reaction and I cant wait to see you react to Part 2 in November :D
I was so surprised that I loved it so much!! This was so perfect. I hope i can find more musicals like this.
"The wind just blew through me" SO TRUE!!! Something about the final part of Defying Gravity always manages to take my breath away. Who knew a musical can be so captivating you forget how to breathe 😅🥹 great reaction video
I have watched that ending so much 😭 they did such a good job. It was incredible
What's even more impressive than the regular skill level of the singing, is finding out that they were all singing live on set (and that's the singing used in the movie - they weren't lip syncing to a studio recording). So Cynthia Erivo was singing defying gravity while literally flying through the air on a harness and going upside down.
Yes i saw her work out routine to be able to sing while doing her stunts. She is amazing!!!
You sat through it! It was so cool to see you get into it as the movie went on. That last sequence is incredible! I love your appreciation for the smaller details, and I loved this reaction!
It really got me little by little. When i was editing i could see the difference of me not payibg attention to the songs to really listening.
This was the perfect musical for me to trully try out and stick with 😍
12:05 Yes. Yes indeed. That's Peter Dinklage.
I love this actor so muuuuch
Many things from this film, things you spoke of, foreshadowing, and wizard of Oz are answered in the second part.
Great reaction! Loved seeing how it got you bit by bit, lol.
I thought the same falling out over Fiyero would happen and I was glad that wasn't what separated them. It felt too trivial, I thought the way they did it made so much more sense and I could see both of their reasons and why it would drive them so fully apart.
I believe that Galinda behaves how she does because she wants Elphaba to not be killed taking on an entire nation on her own (and she also isn't ready to die joining her and go against literally everyone else). Of course knowing what we know we are on Elphaba's side and Galinda's trying to diffuse the situation instead of fighting back is likely going to lead to her being trapped and used by evil people. She probably thinks if they live today they can enact change from the inside, plus she has never felt safe without social approval, Elphaba has lived her whole life as an outcast so she knows she can survive it.
And honestly, as much as I'd love to be someone who would immediately rise up and fight, I think if a world leader who could have me executed with a flick of his wrist has just shown himself to be incredibly dangerous and sent an army after me and the person I loved most... I'd probably take whatever route that I thought would diffuse the situation and prevent violence. The courage and self assurance to rise up alone like that is why Elphaba is a hero.
That lip color is absolutely stunning.
This was an amazing review!!! Love this sm ❤
The Production Design in this movie is top notch. The performances were great and plenty of comedic moments to make it a fun watch. I know you don't like musicals, but if you did then you'd enjoy the songs a lot more... they are amazing and the vocals from everyone are fantastic. This really is such a well-done movie. Props to Jon Chu (the director) for bringing this to life.
I cannot believe how fast you connected the dots with the clues and all😭
If you loved the set and the detail, you should read about how they made all of the sets! They said in the extras for the movie that they made huge sets for Shiz, Emerald City and Munchkin Land. Supposedly for Shiz specifically they could quite actually go inside and explore it as if it were a real place!
I LOVE that they did so much practical effects work in this production. that’s so rare these days.
I’m a fellow musical hater and this is now one of my favorite movies. Can’t count how many times I watched it now.
this is the best reaction for this movie so far. i think wicked is perfect for people who do not like musicals, the story is just too good! 💚
Its trully impeccable! This will be my new comfort movie. And ive had "popular" in my head all day hahaha
It makes me so happy to see someone who doesn't like musicals (and you're not the only one) actually watch it and end up really enjoying it and getting pulled into it visually and emotionally. That OzDust Ballroom scene always breaks me and "Defying Gravity". The movie is so good on so many levels.
The magic of musicals - GOOD musicals - is when GREAT music - is used to SING the story. Welcome to the fan club. 🙂 And baby stepping into musicals.
this is a great video! i knew you'd like it! also, happy birthday!🥰🧹🫧
This movie is magical and now i need to read the books watch all the other movies 😂
spoilers
if u watch the original wizard of oz there's the poppies seen which makes everyone sleep so the only one who doesn't sleep is the scarecrow that travels with Dorothy . fiyero in part 2 if u watched the original musical he turns into the scarecrow in part 2 , which is the way i think they'll head fiyero turns into the scarecrow its kind of a foreshadowing
This movie is based on a Broadway musical that came out in 2003... based on a 1995 book. This movie is Act 1 of the Broadway musical. Act 2/Part 2 will come out in Nov 2025. This movie (except for the opening) is mostly a prequel to the original 1939 movie musical "The Wizard of Oz" (based on a book that came out in 1900) which you should also watch/react to. The coming Part 2 is a jump in time to when the 1939 movie takes place with Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, the Tinman, and Scarecrow, who you see for a few seconds at the start of the movie before the flashback to Shiz University where Galinda and Elphaba meet.
Also of note... The 1939 movie is probably the adaptation that is the least faithful to the original novel's representation of the land of Oz and its inhabitants. The 1995 that Wicked is based off of is quite a faithful fanfic, and the musical and this movie follow it fairly well, though this movie (and presumably part 2) adds in quite a lot that the musical didn't have. The Broadway musical is 2:45 hours long, and this movie, which represents only the first half of the musical, is 5 minutes shorter than the whole musical....
I like what I read somewhere that Elphaba is true activism while Galinda represents performative allyship
Great reaction! Also love your interior and that dark green wall color (have it in our living room) 🖤
49:22 yeah when they all come together…nothing but chills
Yaaaayyy!!! 🥳 what a great reaction!! Happy Birthday!! 🎈🎂
Thank you!! 😁
i was a bit skeptical in seeing a musical hater's perspective on this and though I cannot relate, I understand if musicals just don't work for some people. I think it's super cool you tried to watch something that wasn't your cup of tea and you discovered a hidden gem you didn't think you'd like, and that you found your OWN way of enjoying Wicked!
I totally agree with what people say regarding the music in musicals - the music is how we get true insight on the characters, especially their deepest feelings. There is still story unfolding through these songs! However, I must also say that the effect is different when it comes to movie musicals and I can agree that there may be some disconnect there that wouldn't exist in a live theater production, and the things that feel cringe in a movie are less so on the stage. So I don't blame you! I know you don't like musicals so I won't push it, but if you were ever curious enough to give it a try, give yourself the space to see a musical live and you'll see what I mean LOL. The energy is COMPLETELY different.
TLDR it's nice to discover new things you might like! i'm glad you enjoyed Wicked!
Hey thank you for your understanding 😅 and i am open to seeing more musicals. Im sure i wont necessarily like them all but im definitely more open to it. Any suggestions?
I loved this reaction! I so appreciate that as a non-muscial fan you were willing to go outside your comfort zone and give this a try. Well done to you. 🙂
From not loving the musical to wanting to rewatch it again ❤️❤️❤️
Us theatre kids dastardly plans are working! We’ve converted another one 😈
Any suggestions? Someone mentionned Rent, Hairspray and Dream Girl
@@ReelIntrovert one of the best movie musicals is Chicago imo. Also Hairspray and Dreamgirls.
I think Glinda "popular" scene is so misunderstood. Being popular is what gets her everything she wants, it's her power. She doesn't realise that it comes from a privilege place, she genuinely believes it's what will help you get everything you want. She wants that for Elphaba and by trying to teach her to be popular, she believes she is giving her the key to have everything she wants in life. Glinda wants magic but Elphaba dreams of people appreciating her (wizard and I lyrics). They both have a power that the other one hence why the jealousy that comes through in the "what is this feeling song". Elphaba is giving Glinda the key to magic by having her access the class and in return Glinda wants to give her what got her everything she ever wanted: being popular. Her heart is genuinely in the right place here
Also in the end Galinda saying to Elphie to apologise is just because she trusts the system and she thinks that they can impact it from the inside (since her system always benefited her she is sure she can influence people the right way) but leaving with Elphie... She has nothing to offer. Her power is to be liked. She knows she can't go
I’m not a huge fan of musicals either. There’s very few that I’ll watch over and over - The Sound of Music, Little Shop of Horrors, West Side Story (original version) and now Wicked. But that said I watched Wicked 7 times in theatres because it was that good and now own it on two platforms. So I’ll be watching it unlimited times. 🤣😭
This film is definitely ozmazing and deserves all the Ozcars and was worth the wait!! I will never forget my first experience of seeing the musical and seeing all the beautiful sets and the costume designs, as well as the amazing talented cast. I really connected with Elphaba, so I was so hyped to see this iconic story come to the screen! Ironically the first musical I ever performed was the Wizard of Oz where I played Professor Marvel and the Wizard. And I even got the chance to perform the show again and share the stage with my nephew. I can’t wait to see the conclusion in Wicked: For Good. Fun fact, this iconic musical is based on a novel which also is a saga of its own if you wish to read it; I should caution you that it’s very different, a lot darker, and more mature. Also back in early 2000s before it was made into the iconic Broadway musical, there was a plan to adapt the story into a movie and sell my Hayek was one of the actresses considered for the role of Elphaba. Also Elphaba’s name is a play on L. Frank Baum, the author of the original classic novel, the wonderful Wizard of Oz .
👸🏼🪄🫧💖🖤💚✨🧹🧙🏿♀️
Happy Birthday! 🩷💚
Maybe it isn't so much that you dislike musicals, more that you just _think_ you do 😉
I can't promise they'll all be as good as this, but notice that Elpheba's real magical superpower is her ability to sing the fuck out of everybody else - simply amazing! As is Cynthia Erivo irl. You should should take a look into her - I think you might like her.
I LOVE THIS REACTION U JUST EARNED A A SUBSCRIBE BTW THE GREEN LIPSTICK LOOKS SO GOOD ON YOU YOUR SO PRETTY
I’ve never really understood what it was about characters breaking out into song that creates *such* an aversion in certain people.
I wonder if it might be the suspension of disbelief. It could come off as fake and corny if you’re not used to musicals. And musicals are inaccessible for many people, while musical movies aren’t but might be harder to get lost in maybe? Just ideas
This! I saw a play once and it was much easier to watch than a movie for some reason.
I suppose that makes sense. I guess part of it is how much exposure you get to musical movies at a young age?
Your reaction is literally the reason why I came back 5 times to the theater. I love to experience people go through this journey. ❤ You're a real one gurl
During the dance scene Arianna didn’t learn the choreography until the filming so it would be more authentic…so she’s learning it.
Also if you look toward the train scene Galinda outfit looks similar to Cynthia’s when she arrives at Shiz only in pink. Shows they’re rubbing off on each other.
Madam Morrible sent info to the Wizard to manipulate Elphaba , thats why he invited her to The Emerald city.
i appreciate u giving this movie a chance ! also u're beautiful and i love ur room
One of the things i don't like about the movie is that after the whole goat teacher being taken away and Elphaba putting people to sleep, the next scene is her going to Oz. Why wouldn't that head teacher, students, school and everyone have a conversation about what happened.
I didn’t even think about that. You’re right tho. I wonder if it’s different in the play or the book. I seen the play in NY but it was a long time ago (2013) and I can’t remember.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the musical and it's story. And hearing you are going to watch it again had me smile. Great video and pov from one who dislikes musicals. Thank you.✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚🌟🩷✨️💚
I enjoyed this. One suggestion: if you decide to do other musical reactions, I hope you'll think about other ways to avoid copyright infringement. The sped up vocals took away from your reaction, and you don't need to do that to avoid being demonetized.
With Universal i didnt want to take any chances (and it still got blocked i had to cut more) and it was all music. I will try different methods next time to keep more music in. Im just scared of Universal. 😅
Thank you so much 💚 And happy birthday 🥰
the second part is my favorite, I can't wait to watch it 😭
24:11 Meet the Cowardly Lion as a cub...
NO WAYYYYYY i didnt even think of that.
Ummm hello? Spoilers much?
Something about modern musicals is that the songs usually further the story and develop characters - it's a trend that began with Oklahoma (1940) and for the last fifty years or so, there haven't been any musicals that put the songs in for fun and that's all. Even Anything Goes (1931) was heavily revamped in the 1970s to follow that formula to an extent. Wicked was released in the early Noughties, so every song is full of character, story or emotion. It's actually amazing that it lost the Tony to Avenue Q. That's also a great musical about young adulthood (basically Sesame Street for new college graduates - I have a BA in English just like the main character), but it doesn't have the depth or drama this had. I will understand if you don't want to watch another musical, but I advise you to have a look at musicals' source material. A lot of modern musicals started with movies, such as Beetlejuice, Heathers, Mean Girls, Hairspray and several others. Wicked was very loosely based on a 1995 book of the same name, and stories such as Sweeney Todd, The Phantom of the Opera and countless others also got their start in literature. Then there's the historical ones, the biblical ones, etc. There's so much theatre you can explore without touching a musical again. In fact, I advise you not to touch Mean Girls the Musical. It doesn't hold a candle to the original movie and isn't adapted very well from stage to screen either, so it will turn you off musicals even more. I don't want to force you into theatre-kiddom, but no need for you to watch badly adapted ones.
OMG!!! UR THE FIRST PERSON WHO GOT IT!!!!! Don't want to be the spoiler, but you are one clever queen. 😉
Haha a lot of people said i got it but im not sure which part haha the love triangle? the dad?? Dont answer but i cant wait to figure it out in part 2.
I saw this play in 2013 when I was 16 with my mom who hates musical like absolutely despises them. When we left she said that was one of the best things she's ever seen. I am not sure who played the two in the one I saw as it was off Broadway but they did so wonderful their voices were so beautiful and its been near and dear to my heart ever since then. And I think Cynthia has a beautiful voice in this movie too, I first heard her sing in the movie Harriet.
I love the lipstick color.
She complained about this being a musical so hard that she missed a very cool moment during "degrenify you"
Dont worry i have rewarched this many times already 😉
The sped up version of dancing through life is so funny 😂
So glad you loved the movie!! Can I just ask though, what is it about musicals you don't like? I always like to ask people this to get perspective. I'm a huge musical lover lol. Music is so fun and when it's paired with actual story (regular music can have a story too but with musicals that's the whole point of the music) it makes it even more fun, to sing especially. I also love singing and musical theater vocals are just something else. Music makes certain scenes all the more powerful as well, and gives impact in a way that regular old dialogue just can't do. That's the power of musicals!
1:22 you will *enjoy* it