The Wicked movie is now but days away at the time of this post, reviews are sure to soon come, and the moment we have been waiting for is finally here. Advertisements, trailers playing, even ads for Xfinity, or pausing on streaming services. Advertisements, tie-ins such as popcorn buckets, food, different flavors, drinks, and merchandise are everywhere.. and yes most movies have many if not all of these things, you can chalk it up as part of advertising. This movie deserves all this and more, and here is why.
Even though I have yet to settle into a seat, watch the lights dim, and hear Elpha's tale, which is on my bucket list, listening to the music alone, looking up and looking around shows how big this musical truly is. It has been a massive hit since the days it debuted, a massive musical that has sold out houses for decades across the globe.
This movie is a big deal because the musical is. This show explores what it means concerning the comparison of how others view you and how you view yourself. Seeing both sides of the coin from the moment the show begins, both leads often talk about being who others see them as, how they see themselves, and eventually how they see each other. This show dives into not only being more than what others see but how we choose to be seen, knowing that won't change how we are viewed. Songs such as "Popular". "What Is This Feeling?" and even "Dancing Through Life" show how some let their lives be shaped by how others feel, which changes when "Defying Gravity" brings the curtains down at the end of Act One. Refusing to live in what others see but rather shape your own story, even if that means being called a villain or being associated with something that isn't true.
A huge song about no longer fighting for others' love but rather loving yourself, even if that means flying solo. But that is just Elpaba's story, and this show has two leads. The narrative shows Glinda go from superficial and shallow, to standing up for what's right and knowing the truth. She goes from being self-centered to caring for others, especially her beloved best friend. Though the citizens of OZ want to tell a tale about the Wicked Witch, she does her best to point them in the direction of empathy and towards the truth, from the first song. The show needs both to work but also encapsulates both sides a lead of a musical can embark on a journey. A lead either needs to want something and pursue it, or to learn a lesson and grow, Wicked has both, which is why both are on that iconic poster, one to push the plot forward and one to grow alongside it.
show with romance as many do have, but focuses on a different kind of love, a love between friends. A love that starts cold, and then grows into a warm but touching farewell as the pen ultimate number. This musical contains a sweeping score, memorable songs, and powerful lyrics at so many show-stopping moments. Moments the listener can admire, and others they can relate to. Moments of pure spectacles and other songs meant to empower. The songs have been covered, performed, and listened two hundreds of thousands of times over.
Taking something familiar and flipping it on its head, flipping the script while giving it powerful ballads, I want songs and group numbers. This show is more than popular, it has now defied gravity for decades and will for years to come, never going to be brought down.
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