I work at a theater and i've seen the no one mourns the wicked scene multiple times at this point. Glinda is visibly upset during this song imo. Her eyes show grief and she looks out in a way that shows she's not really with the villagers in their joy, but is trying to hide her sadness. Her eyes have tears in them, but she doesn't allow them to fall. The flippantness is only because she really wants the villagers to eff off so she can be alone. It's in the breath placement for the song as well. I'm not a singer so I don't know how to phrase exactly what I mean, but the grief was very prominent to me in both sound and visually.
As someone who has only listened to the soundtrack, I’ve also always gotten the idea that Glinda never really agreed with the villagers, even from just the first song
@madelion24 but keyring is , at the opening of the movie she is at the end of maturing as a person and understanding people will give all their hate to stuff they don't understand and how it hurts, throughout the movie she's not the same woman who's telling the story but the blissful girl who has to grow into that woman .
@@AlexTawen Working at the theater doesn't ruin the movies for me at all. I love film and movies. I'm not a fan of horror so having to deal with any issues in those auditoriums gets passed to my co-workers when possible.(I'm a manager so not always possible) Because of my love of films/movies I have a better insight of who will see what and how to recommend to those who just came to watch whatever is playing. As only about half the people who come to the movies plan ahead what they are going to see. I get to see my favorite scenes of a new release over and over if I time it right. And I get to see movies I might not have otherwise known about because I work there. For the ones I don't want spoiled I've gotten very good about either watching it early or doing a la la la in my head when people start to yap about it. There have been many times I've had to shush a co-worker when they get too far into spoilers when discussing with someone who hasn't seen the movie yet.
Also, in the movie, when Elphaba uses her magic accidentally and it unveils how the wizard imagery around the school is literally covering and hiding the animal history of the school. It's such a small touch I've not seen anyone else mention yet and I loved it when I saw it cos I thought it subtly added to the lore for those who know the story but acted as foreshadowing for those who hasn't seen the musical or read the book.
I have seen a couple of mentions to it. I think this where I agree with issues with lighting. I tried seeing it again during my second time, but the sign was so bright, I could not see the animals underneath it.
@@logann-mackenziefroste563 the movie is basically just the first act of the musical. The book is very very different from both! If you liked the movie, you will probably like the musical as well.
I think Ariana played the emotions in her face during no one mourns. It was in the vocal, too - but you can see her fighting back her guilt, knowledge of the situation and sadness; in her face. She’s just ‘smiling for the camera’..at least that’s how I felt. I kept thinking, “she looks sooo sad”.
I’m a 22 year old guy who had no prior knowledge of Wicked besides “Popular” and “Defying Gravity” and didn’t know there was a book, but I have so many friends that are obsessed with musical theatre. *This movie was everything.* Cynthia and Ariana are perfectly casted, everyone was. Even supporting characters. Things were paced so good, especially the ending going between plot and song in Defying Gravity. Also, Ariana’s past playing Cat was the thing I was stuck on the most in this movie. Her quirk, snappy action and comedic timing, etc was SO. GOOD. Cynthia’s physicality made me so emotional. No spoilers, but I almost cried 3 times during the club scene. So good.
The sprinkling in of the “For Good” theme/orchestrations throughout the entire film (specifically in “Dancing Through Life”) was genius, and it was honestly the most impactful undertone for me watching it.
I'm pretty sure you're right about Cynthia holding back during The Wizard and I. I think it was an intentional choice so that when she fully gives everything in Defying Gravity it's so much more impactful, and also shows the growth of her character and her not holding back any part of herself anymore!
I think in the movie Glinda seemed more sad cos the munchkins think she's singing about Elphabas wickedness but she is actually describing herself. Lines like "no one mourns the wicked", well she's mourning for Elphaba so that's an untrue statement. And "the wicked are lonely" the shot of the screen of Glinda surrounded by but not connected too the munchkins, made her look like she's the lonely one. Cos we know at that moment Elphaba isn't lonely, she's somewhere else in the land with Feyro. I wouldn't say Glinda is an outright villain, she's our insert character (the character most people can relate too and imagine ourselves in her shoes), which when you put both acts of the story together (part one Glinda is a silly kid who's following the crowd to be popular, the second part is Glinda realising she's actually an active part of the fascist regime and having to deal with that somehow) moving into the next movie she's the person going along with fascism cos it's beneficial to her. Like how most people don't want to admit it, most of us want to believe we'd resist fascism, but most wouldn't (look at the USAs latest election for a perfect real-life example of this, all the early signs are here for the USA that were in Germany when Adolf came along). People who aren't part of a discriminated against group don't notice fascism as fascism because it benefits them. That's Glinda's role.
Interesting, you see it as fascist. I saw it as a critique of neoliberalism/ The Status Quo. I'll concede Oz is literally a dictator😅, but Glinda in particular seems to be a critique of those who you just like based on vibes, but in reality, aren't really interested in your needs. As an American, I think this applies to either political party. (As a whole, at least. There's some good people)
Her character reminded me of the large percentage of white women we've seen quietly voting to maintain the old structures in America. Glenda chose what was comfortable and beneficial for her when being good would disrupt that comfort. I think some people are defending her because they relate to her choices and don't want to see it as bad
that's interesting that you thought Ariana seemed flippant. I thought the exact opposite. i love the subtle bits of emotion she gave Glinda in that that song. Like she's done dozens of these, and just wanted to get it over with because she hates how everyone is painting her best friend, but she has to play her part.
yeah upon the rewatch i felt different tbh!! i still think it didn’t give “sad” but i agree she wasn’t really as flippant as i remember from my first watch
@carmen5358 after watching it, I'd agree. But after thinking about the possibility, I'm not so sure. How much evil can villain ever do except with the aid of the weak and the cowardly?
Agree with just about everything you’ve said. But if you watch any of the current interviews with Cynthia Eriva “solo” she makes it very clear that she was harnessed, guided by wires, had to do heavy cardio to train her diaphragm and lungs to work in such a constricted outfit, was singing through her loop-the-loop and LOVED flying. There was no CGI involved.
they literally changed a word in the very first song. it was “atrocious” and they swapped it to “uncanny”. the wizard is her father not just hinted at.
31:50 - Did anyone notice how much Jeff Goldblum's Wizard looks like Walt Disney? When he unveiled the diorama, I immediately blurted *"EPCOT"* You could say Universal was getting their Diggs in... for the Oscar.
your rant about the WITF choreo is kinda funny ngl lol - just want to add that the main/lead’s choreo being slightly different than the background dancers is a very common practice - it’s to add contrast and make the lead stand out - just like how the background dancers don’t roll their eyes and do the “oh” adlib - i just didn’t get your impression that there was something ‘off’ about the choreo at all - in fact i think it adds to it. but to each their own :)
I think in regards to Glinda being flippant and “Not sad”, like, yeah. She’s a political figure in Oz, and is acting exactly how she’s supposed to. The munchkins think Elphaba was public enemy #1 and are celebrating victory. I even agreed with you to some degree as I was watching, but we see more intimate moments of emotions from her, especially as the sing goes on. For instance, her small troubled glance after the munchkins start talking bad about her, or right after she throws the torch. You see her start to tear up. I think the song is told in much the same way as the musical, but with more nuance that is only possible on film.
Your reading of "I'm Not That Girl" echoes my feelings about that part of the movie! Also, I really thought the cub scene with Elphaba and Fiyero was precious, and all their short scenes together were really cute and a little different from how it's played in the stage musical.
im not that girl was sooo beautiful it hit just as hard the second time!! and right?? i loved how they’re letting it slow burn with small interactions!! I can’t wait for the second movie 😭
I thought it was fully canon that the wizard was her dad they are literally played by the same guy (the mysterious man and the wizard of oz) its out right stated in the second half of the musical
you kind of brushed over DTL in your review but oh my god - the gelphie dance at the end absolutely destroooyyeedddd me - anyone who’s ever felt different and tried to fit in can understand what that feels like. the tears wouldn’t stop falling! from the moment glinda realizes what she’s done to elphie - to elphie putting her hat back on & glinda joining her - i just felt like everything in that scene was executed perfectly and really encapsulated the emotional core of the story. i can’t even talk about it out loud without tearing up😂😂😂😂😂
A) it may be after I read the book, but I feel the stage play did hint at the wizard being Elphaba’s father in the beginning just with the elixir alone. But the book had another surprising element when it came to the “affair”. B) for “no one mourns the wicked”, after seeing the film twice, Glinda did look sad when they burned Elphaba’s statue. And her voice sounded sadder as she was walking around. Her smile came back when she told their story. C) while unintentional or not, I think Ariana being off beat with the book is genius. Glinda is not someone who would follow anyone. She sets her own trends even if it means her followers can’t keep up with her. But maybe that is just me.
As someone who has never seen the broadway show and knows nothing about Wicked beside basic The Wizard of Oz, it almost feels like in No One Mourns the Wicked that Glinda is talking about herself in the lyrics. So the way you describe Galinda as the actual villain of the story makes so much sense to me
I’ve always felt she is singing about herself - as a Wicked fan. She knows the truth, and allowed this to happen, and is the truly lonely one. She is the true Wicked between the two.
Disagree on wizard and I. Elphaba singing softly to not cause a scene and then finally letting loose when she was away from everybody at shiz was amazing direction. The entire song was beautifully done, particularly when she goes, “degreenify you” and they do a bit of color theory and it looks like she actually isn’t green! I felt Cynthia really captured the giddiness that Elphaba tries to contain in that scene. It felt a lot more relatable and intimate to watch, and was truly the first time that song really moved me (probably cause it’s being sung by someone who has experienced literal discrimination based on their skin color). The direction in that scene was just so amazing and creative, and Cynthia’s wizard and I has officially become my favorite, which is crazy cause I love Jessica Vosk’s version
I felt like in the first number Ariana did it perfectly. Most of the song is flippant smiles and occasionally you catch her with this plane expression of restrained self loathing. I got the feeling that she was singing those lines about herself " The Wicked's lives are lonely. The Wicked die alone. It just shows when you're Wicked You're left only On your own"
The Wizard is the villain of Wicked. Glinda is a regular person who assimilates into the fascist regime- just like the average person. She represents the dangers of being a centrist or by the numbers liberal. Glinda is not even the villain of part 1 either. She is a complicated person who is neither completely good through and through or evil. Calling her the villain when theres obvious villains in the piece is a bit overkill
I thought the same thing. Granted, this is the first thing I’ve ever seen of Wicked ever, but it’s obvious she isn’t a villain-as you said it, she’s a centrist. She’s conflicted and vulnerable due to what she wants/safety. How could you not call the teacher and the wizard the real villains…they literally are the villains. Bad take imo.
SPOILER COMMENT FOR MOVIE TWO: eh I guess it depends on if you think those who assimilate into fascist regimes are villains in and of themselves or not… she chose her ambition over doing the right thing and continues to do so until the last song of the show basically, i do personally think that says something about her character. she’s not even just ambivalent to what the wizard is doing, she’s helping him and becomes a part of his government!! and I don’t think she’s that complicated in this movie, she’s selfish and she only starts being nice to elphaba bc elphaba is nice first and turns on her the second being a friend to her would actually hurt glinda
If everyone was like glinda it would be really bad , the fact that she is conflicted by assimilating doesn't discredit being part of the society that sits quietly while this happens . But they only name dropped protests one time
She’s a VILLAIN. She’s not just a REGULAR person experiencing it…. She AIDS it. Pushes it forward and influences it. She’s a pillar symbol of Iz GLINDA THE “GOOD” It’s hard because she’s so charismatic and fits the standard of beauty.
A couple words were changed. In "I'm Not That Girl", Elphaba sings "She *who's* winsome" instead of "She is winsome." Found that to be more of a meta comment to herself, as in "that's not how these stories play out - doesn't matter who the popular blonde is as a person - she always wins the dumb popular jock." Which adds to the message that Galinda is not a good person for most of the show! Also, in "Defying Gravity", the guards shout "K!LL HER" instead of "GET HER." Really shows how terrifying her power is to the Wizard and his crumbling facade. Also better foreshadowing of "March of the Witch Hunters" in Part II
For a long time Glinda IS the villain, by the end she changes but does a lot of damage during the show. And in the book it shown much more explicitly. Glinda isn’t just shown to be mean, but she’s shown to be racist and willingly assisting in a fascist government until she starts to “feel bad” while people are being put in cages. She’s a villain, even if she has emotions. We can recognize that and recognize that she does have a character arc, where she attempts to take accountability for what she’s done and who she is. Sho chose ambition over equality, like so many people do in real life. As a black person, she is so much like many white people I know. Well meaning, but with extremely damaging actions.
EXACTLYYYYYY thank you!! It’s so great to understand the book perspective as well, ive never read it, ive only seen the show. Im making a follow up on everyone defending Glinda bc im soooooooo shocked so many people didn’t realize she’s supposed to be the bad guy for the majority of the story
@@meredithnovaco Following your ambitions isn't necessarily a bad thing, but doing so to aid a corrupt regime that is fascist (and also 1. Anti-Animal [i.e. taking Dr. Dillamond away from his teaching post for speaking out against the injustice perpetuated against sapient creatures -- in the musical, he's simply rendered unable to talk at all, although his sad eyes show he still recognizes Elphie as someone willing to stand up for what's right despite how browbeaten he now was following the unspoken cruelty The Wizard & Madame Morrible had more than likely subjugated him to, even before Elphie discovers him hiding beneath a covered sheet in a certain room of The Emerald City palace that The Wizard & Madame Morrible were using to turn sapient Animals into domesticated animals solely meant serve humanity in a bit of horrible "Humans are the dominant species, but you sapient Animals who are seeking the same rights as conventional humans are not abiding by that long-established status quo, so bow down & do what we humans tell you to do, otherwise we will take away your ability to communicate like humans, subsequently leaving you only able to speak in the native language of the animal species you actually are & if you continue to rebel against us, we will not hesitate to kill you" classist elitism, henceforth reinforcing Elphie's desire to see the current regime overturned, whereas in the 1995 novel, the token Goat is quite literally killed as a martyred example of what can happen to marginalized groups that spark rebellion as a means of showing any would-be desenters that those currently running the corrupt political landscape of OZ are not people to be trifled with -- and the one teacher at Shiz stating that they brought a caged lion cub to school, with the intent to genuinely perform deadly experiments on the future Cowardly Lion so they could uncover what exactly allows Animals to be sapient, in order to effectively permanently take that ability away from the frightened lion cub, which would have more than likely killed the future Cowardly LIon in the process, thus making a certain line spoken by the Tin Man in _March of the Witch Hunters_ - "And The Lion also has a grievance to repay. If she let him fight his own battles when he was young, he wouldn't be a coward today." - especially troubling, because were it not for Fiyero & Elphie rescuing him as a cub, there is no doubt that the Cowardly Lion would've died as a result of the cruel experiments that had been planned to be used on him had he not gotten rescued in time], 2. Anti-Disabled [Nessa wanting to be able to do things on her own, but always having to deal with ableist actions & rhetoric from all those around her], and, if we're totally transparent, 3. Anti-Anything That Is Not the Stereotypical, Cis Whitewashing, Heteronormative World Perception [Tibbet sadly contracting the OZian version of AIDS & being treated like an unclean leper until his tragic death as a result, the crowd's shocked gasp when Glinda honestly tells the assembled ensemble that she & the infamous Wicked Witch of the West had, indeed, been "friends" during their collegiate years back when "they were roommates", the best case scenario polycule of Gelphie X Fiyero that would've certainly happened had society been better equipped to accept such seemingly outlandish notions at the time that we never got, and even Princess OZma X Dorothy Gale being lowkey canon in even the original literary OZ lore that L. Frank Baum himself had first created all those years ago & not just merely another drastic monumental character shift within gay author Gregory Macguire's pro-LGBT+ revisionist glorified fan fiction retelling of the fantasy world literally _Somwhere Over the Rainbow_ to playfully make use of Judy Garland's Oscar-winning signature song title from the 1939 MGM film]) is bad, even if you're woefully ignorant to the horrible atrocities you're being unknowingly, if not unwillingly, complicit to.
@@o.m9514 As most were, excluding Elphie. Even the witch half-sister's surrogate father Frexspar the Godly, even though he doted on Nessa while blaming all of the family misfortune on Elphie & is the one to gift the future Wicked Witch of the East the magical footwear, basically wanted to treat Nessa with kid gloves due to her disability. Even Boq (the Munchkin boy who harbored an unrequited crush on Galinda, but was instead fobbed off by the airheaded blond archetype sorceress-in-training to be with Elphie's disabled sister) unfortunately stayed with Nessa far longer than he rightfully should've (never mind, the fact that he probably felt 2nd hand guilt for the way he led Nessa on for the lengthy amount of time they were together) and became the Tin Man (in the 2003 musical adaptation & more than likely, the 2nd half of the two-part film, since the 1995 novel still kept Boq as a Munchkin meanwhile the Tin Woodsman was still former woodcarver Nick Chopper, as per the original L. Frank Baum literary OZ lore) due to Nessa shrinking his heart and, upon summoning her sister to save Boq (because, deep down, even though she knew he never earnestly loved her in return, Nessa loved Boq too much to see him die), after Elphie emerged, quite literally, out of Nessa's closet (because Elphie [and Galinda, too, for that matter] is canonically bisexual), Elphie spoke some ancient mumbo jumbo and Boq was saved, except he became a heartless man made entirely of tin. Rather than being grateful to Elphie for saving his life, the Tin Man was angry at the witch sisters, because he now felt like he definitely stood no chance with Galinda (as if he ever did stand a stance before, because Galinda's ONLY romantic interests were FIYERO [who was himself already married to his wife Sirfina as far back as when the two of them were 7-years-old, according to the Winkie/Vinkus/Arjikie tribe's old world tradition of arranged marriages, long before he ever showed up at Shiz University] & ELPHIE [later books in the _Wicked_ saga actually indicate that Glinda has wet dreams about the times she shared with Elphie] and that's that) & basically told Nessa & Elphie that they should've just let him die rather than have him turn into the Tin Man & that they were both equally wicked.
I'm not an Ariana stan, but I think she did a good job overall. I read her body language in No One Mourns The Wiked as someone trying to not seem upset when they are, and she pulled it off well enough. Despite that being something very difficult for any actor to do.
I think its a little more complicated for glinda than "she is a villain" or "she is not a villain" in the end, yes she does decide to stay with the bad guys rather than go with Elphaba. But standing in her shoes in that moment where she has to make the decision, i dint think the majority of people would go with Elphaba. From Glinda's perspective, her options are to conform and continue to live, or throw away everything and go with Elphaba, when she herself has no powers and would likely die or be arrested and likely slow Elphaba down in the long run. She is completely powerless when it comes to confronting the Wizard, Madame Morriboe (The only true sorceress in all of oz other than Elphaba), the entire emerald city gaurd and army of flying monkeys. All she would be is a liability for Elphaba and her life would basicly be over. All this would be for a cause that she doesn't really understand. Unlike Elphaba and Fiyero she has never been an outcast. Elphaba was an outcast because of her skin and powers, Fiyero was constantly kicked out of schools for the way he acted. So he can better empathize with not feeling like he belonged and being silenced (although for very different reasons), where glinda has never faced that, So is at the time incapable of properly understanding the cause. Which may sound crazy to us but I'm sure everyone has had a point in their life where they haven't understood an issue wither it be a small school)work issue or a larger political issue, but come to educate themselves and better understand it. Well glinda was just starting on that journey, with her frendship with Elphaba, but unfortunately wasn't able to get far enough into it before this big decision presented herself. For us the viewer we are able to understand who us clearly right or wrong because weve faced similar issues in life. And its easy for us to point at her and say that she chose her own ambition over what's right, but really in that moment, she chose to survive. She couldn't go with Elphaba. She didn't have the power or the understanding for that to really have been an option at all. As for her actions in act two (i will put the disclaimer that i have not seen act two and have only listened to the soundtrack of the original Broadway cast so my understanding of what takes place is not as clear as it could be and i know im missing lots if information), its still a result of her needing to survive. She has a position of a political leader thrust upon her after Elphaba leaves and she has to play the role if she wants to survive, and unfortunately that sets her down the wrong path before she can have a change if heart by the end of the story. But even then, in "Thank Goodness" there is a section of the song where she does talk about things not feeling right. This could be interpreted as her feeling like her relationship with Fiyero doesnt feel right, but there is a separate song for that in "Im Not That Girl (Reprise)" so im a bit more inclined to believe that this moment in "thank goodness" is about her not feeling confident in her choice to not go with Elphaba. Again im missing a lot of content so i could be very very very wrong. Anyway this coment is getting very long so ill stop here for now lol i hope this doesnt come across as hateful or overly critical i just got a different reading from Glinda's character, and wanted to discuss. she's by no means a fully good person but i do t think shes villian level.
i fully understand your perspective however i think she definitely could've helped inspire a revolt and she knew that, being how popular she is and the influence she has over others. she chose not to go with elphaba because she knows that she wouldn't make that decision. she's worked her whole life to be popular and powerful, when presented to do the right thing, she chooses to instead get what she's wanted her entire life which shows just how selfish can be. i understand our need to humanize her and say that most people would make the same decision but i think that her decision had less to do with survival and more to do with her own self interest. ariana says in an interview that glinda doesn't go with elphaba, not because she isn't strong enough to make that decision, but because she is strong enough not to. and i think that's a testament to her not only knowing what the right thing to do is but knowing exactly why it's the right thing to do as well. and i think all of this is also relates to what op says in the video about how we feel inclined to make excuses for/ give her the benefit of the doubt. when it comes to act ii however, i think at that point it definitely has to do with survival, and i don't mean to spoil it for u but after for good they basically make a pact that glinda won't defend elphaba because the people would turn on glinda because they hate elphaba that much. and that's where i think the survival comes in and her perspective in no one mourns the wicked. buttt i think that if she were to go with elphaba initially they both knew that glinda had the power to inspire change. for instance, we see glinda use her influence at the ball to get people to treat elphaba like a human, she also feigns her support for the animals by changing her name, she clearly has power of the people and she knows this but chooses to use it in ways that benefit her and when presented to do something for the greater good, she chooses not to. in my opinion, i don't think this necessarily makes her THE villian per se, but i think it makes her A villian.
I'm mostly seeing this take from people who don't seem to know the full story, and that's okay. That's where you're supposed to be at this point in the story. It's worth mentioning, however, "no one mourns the wicked" is about Glinda, not elphaba. Glinda mourns for Elphy. But Glindas persistent choices to only prioritize her own best interest at any cost has left her with no one close to her. And, everyone's fate is tied to her inaction and going along with the crowd when she has the power to make change and didn't use it. She knows this. "The wicked are lonely". Glinda is lonely. I won't spoil the end, but if they depart from the books and go with the musical fully, the debate will be about whether or not her actions redeemed her in ANY way. In my opinion, it's simply shows that she's capable of good acts but she's not capable of selflessness. She's a coward, and selfish, she is not evil but her indifference to suffering for the sake of her own ego and reputation is.
Wicked was originally based on a book that inspired the Broadway musical and, more recently, a movie adaptation. However, both the Broadway show and the movie diverge significantly from the book's tone and content. The book delves deeply into the life of the Wicked Witch of the West, exploring themes of politics, corruption, and societal issues, even including darker elements such as murder and assault. In contrast, the musical and movie take a more whimsical and optimistic approach, focusing on friendship and redemption while leaving much of the book's complexity behind.
If you think Glinda is "the villain" you missed the point entirely. Glinda is a victim of the films villain, which is group think, as is the wizard. Glinda has been consumed by it to the point that she can't even think outside those terms or even have a meaningful relationship with anyone. Elphaba is probably the first real friend she's ever had and has awakened Glinda's dormant personality.
I remember Cynthia did a singing lesson for the BBC. She basicaly taught a young artist who was a little bit "performy" how to autenticaly show emotion through your singing. It was remarkable to witness.
yeah would definitely classify the wizard being the villain of the story and glinda a more of a misguided antagonist that’s why elphaba and glinda still love each other at the end of the story
I just saw the stage show for the first time in October, unless I remember wrong I'm pretty sure it is canonically stated in the show that the Wizard is Elphaba's father.
After seeing the movie twice and having read the book. It is cannon, in the book, that the wizard is Elphaba's dad I think they have added more elements of the book than people (me) originally thought they would. When elphaba has the initial magic explosion there is a stone disk that depicts the wizard carved into the building. When it breaks an image of Animals looking like scholars is revealed. I think this is a big hint at more elements of the book coming in part 2.
I saw it last night and was absolutely blown away. I knew I was gonna love it but was shocked with *how much* I loved it. Jon M. Chu understands what a movie musical should be more than most directors in Hollywood, but even more than that, he understands and loves Wicked on a deep and fundamental level. He was the perfect choice to direct this because he was able to take advantage of the film medium and really elevate Wicked to the level that it deserves for its film adaptation(s). Ariana and Cynthia were the standouts to be sure, and I definitely think if this film is nominated for any Oscars, it’ll be for them for Best Supporting Actress and Best Actress respectively, as well as production design and costuming. But for me, the real standout was Marissa Bode as Nessarose. She was absolutely delightful in the role, and it’ll make what happens to her in Part 2 all the more devistating. While I don’t think it’s the best musical of the decade or even this century, as I loved both Spielberg’s take on West Side Story as well as Chicago, it’s absolutely up there. November 2025 can’t come fast enough
Everybody is entitled to their opinion 100% I didn't agree with a lot of your takes (but will think on the Glinda one as well as watch your video on it next) Also for context coming from someone who never seen the theater production. When you got to the part with Glinda and the people walking behind her I thought it was unnecessary nick picking. Personally I couldn't even notice. Of course you did but like you said if it was a choice for her to be a little off that wouldn't surprise me because she is the main focus of the scene so doing something slightly off to make them stand out of the people in the background makes sense in my brain. Honestly that part is one of my favorite parts of that song so I can't see what you see haha But that's the beauty of art I suppose. Much love ♥️
I agree with most of what you say, especially Galinda/Glinda being a villian, always felt that way, from Wizzard of Oz, to when I read Wicked. But i felt that in the opening song in the movie there were a number of times when here sadness and grief (and guilt) shined through in her face and somewhat in her vocals. Hysteria was not the reaction I had to watching his performance of Dancing Through Life, which is funny because I never found him attractive in Bridgerton, but as Fiyero...
I didn’t realise that he was the father until somebody spoiled it, then I looked at the credit on Spotify and understood why the man sounded familiar to the wizard.
Agree with your comment on Cynthia’s vocal performance in the early songs, completely. Her performance grows with her confidence, drive, and passion. But also agree it does seem dull in comparison with expectations and potential.
I like that she sounds younger in Wizard and I vs Defying Gravity. It’s the hopeful naive “Disney heroine says what she wants” song vs “truth’s out I’m outta here”.
Guys I dunno that this needed to be spelt out, but looks like it might. So for first time viewers, instead of giving any spoilers consider: elphaba is not wicked. We've seen that. It's a misconception that she's wicked. And whose fault is that? Hint: not Elphabas. Since we are led to believe No One Mourns the Wicked is about Elphaba at the start, let's look back at it now that we've seen that she's not actually a wicked witch and ask-who could that be about? What foreshadowing could we be seeing/hearing here.
Knowing what’s going to happen in part two I can see where you’re coming from. I can see her being sad but I can also see some anger/revenge knowing how act 2 plays out.
I'm mostly seeing this take from people who don't seem to know the full story, and that's okay. That's where you're supposed to be at this point in the story. It's worth mentioning, however, "no one mourns the wicked" is about Glinda, not elphaba. Glinda mourns for Elphy. But Glindas persistent choices to only prioritize her own best interest at any cost has left her with no one close to her. And, everyone's fate is tied to her inaction and going along with the crowd when she has the power to make change and didn't use it. She knows this. "The wicked are lonely". Glinda is lonely. I won't spoil the end, but if they depart from the books and go with the musical fully, the debate will be about whether or not her actions redeemed her in ANY way. In my opinion, it's simply shows that she's capable of good acts but she's not capable of selflessness. She's a coward, and selfish, she is not evil but her indifference to suffering for the sake of her own ego and reputation is.
@@meredithnovaco in the story it is heavily implied that both Elphaba and Glinda can be wicked, they are both right and wrong. Glinda is mean and self absorbed but she is changed for good because she meets Elphaba. They are both in the same coin, technically Glinda also want to change the system but from the inside, for me personally if Elphaba went with a strategic route she wouldn’t have been protrayed as the wicked witch but yeah Glinda did succumb to her ambitions but at the start of act 2 it clearly shows she is not happy and does know it’s not right After the betrayal of Elphaba and Fiyero of course she is emotional but she didn’t want Elphaba or Nessa to get killed, she just said to madam morrible that they should spread a humor that nessa is in their hands so Elphaba can come and they will capture her in the process. She said that because of her emotions. I don’t think she is the villain because of that In the end and throughout act 2 we can clearly see that Glinda is lowkey helping Elphaba and they made up in the end And after Elphaba died she did right her wrongs and kicked the real villains, the wizard and madam morrible
@@pizzaroneeeFor a long time Glinda IS the villain, by the end she changes but does a lot of damage during the show. And in the book it shown much more explicitly. Glinda isn’t just shown to be mean, but she’s shown to be racist and willingly assisting in a fascist government until she starts to “feel bad” while people are being put in cages. She’s a villain, even if she has emotions. We can recognize that and recognize that she does have a character arc, where she attempts to take accountability for what she’s done and who she is. Sho chose ambition over equality, like so many people do in real life. As a black person, she is so much like many white people I know. Well meaning, but with extremely damaging actions.
@@binkbonl well we are not talking about the book, the book and the musical is very different. I'm talking about the musical and in the musical she can be called an anti-hero. In the movie specifically it is highlighted that she started to hate Elphaba because she is jealous that Elphaba is studying magic not her. Yes she is racist at first but that is not the main reason she hated her. While the other students just hate her because of her skin. Yeah she had done a lot of damage in the story but that doesn't make her a villain, in Arcane for example everyone is flawed and no one is right or wrong. At least here the wizard and Madam Morrible can be called villain but not Glinda
Glinda is an anti-hero, not a villain. I’m not sure you understand what a villain is? Both Glinda and Elphaba are both able to do wicked things, but by the second act both are striving to do the right thing - one from outside the system and one from within. Both make mistakes. Both are trying to be moral in their own ways. They are two sides of the same coin, both products of a fascist system that has influenced their lives in different ways. Glinda benefitted, therefore she chooses to try to reform the system from within. Elphaba was always an outsider, and therefore tries to outright destroy it.
I watched it literally 2 hours ago. I had "hopes" for it (not necessarily high hopes because you cant have too much confidence in these things 😂) - it was AMAZING. I've seen the play, so i knew what to expect and everything, but it still had me hooked from beginning to the end. I went with my mom, and she agrees. She genuinely enjoyed it, musicals are more my thing so i was worried she wouldn't be into it. Cynthia and Ariana were fantastic. Vocally, of course, but as actors more importantly. Hilarious too. I cried several times 😭 watching them dance together for one!!
I’m so glad you loved it!!! I loved it sooooo much I completely agree the performances were incredible and the pacing and staging are amazing, it doesn’t feel like as long a movie as it is
I had minimal knowledge about Wicked but I’m a huge arianator so I had to show up for my sister. I love your take regarding Ariana (Glinda) to be a villain and waiting for arianators like myself to react to that!!! After researching and diving into the lore of this universe, I learned that Glinda is such a complex character and I’m so excited for Ariana to take on this. I absolutely LOVE that Glinda is the “bad guy”. I hope this role will lean her into other complex roles in drama or even thriller/horrors so that the public will view her as an actress and not just “Ariana Grande, the popstar”. I will ride for Ariana always but Elphaba/Cynthia Erivo deserves all the flowers for her performance in this!!! Elphaba says “she’s not that girl” but SHE INDEED IS!!!!
19:05 I think that it was good because it showed how Glinda’s behaviour affects other people and how other peoples behaviour affected Glinda. She was always watching their reaction and acting in reaction to them. They wanted a martyr and a saint And she became those things for them. It started at the very beginning where she looked at people’s reaction to Elphaba then said that she will become a wizard and “help” Elphaba. The performance in not just about Glinda, it was about how the students react to her as well.
Cynthia gave the songs and this gigantic moment what each needed. Both Cynthia and Ariana just had to please the director and themselves as artists. We are going to just appreciate this art and be thankful for these gifts. Girl, please do not be one of those people who drag Black women for not being perfect enough.😢
My mom and I saw it in chicago 20 years ago and are going to see it Friday at noon. Wizard of Oz and Wicked are so dear to us and I am so excited to see it
In the book, Elphaba is not really wicked.. she gave herself that name after hearing the munchkins giving her sister that name. She really didn't do anything wicked.. she did react to people mistreating people and animals. So i will love to see what happened in part 2 because this movie has a lot of changes from the book. I rather see the darkness of the book instead... however, I see this play disney-fied the book.
I don’t think Glinda is THE Villain but I think she is definitely not good either. I think it’s more of a gray area. I think more along the lines of she is not a good person but used a bit around some of the people around her aka her fellow fascists members. I think she just wanted to be liked and adored and that was used against her a bit. Even though she wasn’t doing things cause she was good but cause she knew that was want others would admire her “good” deeds.
Not to be “that” arianator, Ariana was in Don’t Look Up (2021). Although I can say, as a longtime fan of Ariana and all of her work, her work in that movie is not to be compared AT ALL to Wicked. She did have a side role in the movie but that was her most recent acting role!!! :DDD I digress, love this video overall!!
Thank you for validating my being underwhelmed by ‘The Wizard and I’ lol it just seemed tame!! I get it might have been on purpose, but idk it was still tame even with that context
I agreed with your statement about Jeff Goldblooms performance as OZ..it was good, but compared to everyone else it was a bit lackluster for me. I hate to say I don’t remember OZ much from the musical it’s been years but the original OZ was very quirky very silly and kind of a jerk at the same time, whereas this rendition was very monotone idk how to describe it
It’s Boq, not Buck. And Glinda is NOT the villain, by a long shot. That is a wild take. The Wizard and Madame Morrible are the villains. Other people have already made comments that explain this well, so I won’t waste space here saying what they’ve already said. But it’s very clear that that is NOT the story.
I’m gonna watch that one next lol. I’m still getting through your other one. Also, I forgot to add that Jeff Goldblum is listed as an artist on the soundtrack in “No One Mourns the Wicked” so that was him singing as the man with the green elixir. So yes, it’s official that the Wizard is Elphaba’s dad, not just a fan theory.
I mean she’s not THE villain to me but she’s definitely one of them and it kinda makes her worse when Oz is corrupt but she’s definitely knows it’s wrong and feels it’s wrong but does it anyway because it gets her to the place where she wants to be
I feel like it makes sense though that she would do something different than the rest of the group because she’s the leader and she can do whatever she wants, I think it was a directoral choice and I agree with it, there is no way in a movie like this that they would mess up and leave it in. And I think at the beginning it wasn’t Jeff goldblum because in the musical it is not the actor who plays the wizard and I think it is that way because he is supposed to be a lot younger at the time and look different.
super confused about your opinion on the what is this feeling choreo, that’s not uncommon or strange at all? it’s extremely common to have the lead/center person doing something different choreo wise. it doesn’t look weird, it looks intentional and adds character. i’m not a dancer but i have performed on stage many times with some choreo involved, so i’m just really confused about your perspective 😭
@@elenaphisher244 How Long have you been a human being? You should know by my know what exaggeration is lol. Ppl aren’t genuinely concerned and confused because movies have literally disappeared. Bruh. Cmon 💀💀
**spoliers for act two** i might be misremembering because it’s been 15 years since i last saw the musical, but the wizard being elphaba’s father isn’t a fan theory right? doesn’t glinda confront him with the green bottle? and elphaba never learns the truth. also if you’re implying that glinda knows elphie isn’t really dead so it makes sense for her to not be completely sad during nomtw, glinda never learns that elphaba and fiyero are alive. she sees elphaba “melt” and then takes the bottle to the wizard. or am i wrong about that? idk lol it’s been SO long since i’ve seen the show.
I loved this film so much. This was an absolute masterpiece to me and I'm sure the Academy agrees with me now. Wicked is now going all in for the best picture campaign. Actually, the 900 Oscar voter standing ovation that this film received had officially counted this as this year's Oppenheimer. It was the best turnout they had since that film. Awards voters want a taste of green if you know what I mean LOL 😆. It's rightfully deserved though, because everything from the production design, screenplay, acting, and especially the defying gravity sequence was enough for Awards voters to call this best picture. It isn't even that though. It's the cultural messages and how powerful the messages of inclusivity, racial diversity, abuse by different political figures and political ideologies. This film to speak surprisingly close the world that we faced in the outcome of the election. It's surprisingly close to that and it's also what's resonating with voters so much. I have a feeling it'll jump all the way to a best picture win as this film has everything the Academy looks for and more. I'm a firm believer that using act 1 as a template for a much larger and complete and narratively satisfying story was the smartest way to go as this very much is its own film. The ending is actually a perfect ending to this one film and never feels like it cuts off abruptly. That's the power of Jon Chu as a filmmaker in this film. Like if you agree.
I will mention that they fiero did not ask where the most swankified place in town was like how was he to know? Also they made it seem like theyd get in trouble if they went to the oz dust which wasn't even true cause morble said nothing
I compleeetely disagree with you about the Ariana being flippant. I thought the opposite and ny friend who knew nothing about wicked went in assuming the two are ennenies and she whispered why does glinda seems sad in my ear during no one mourns the wicked. Also I'm seeing arianators online asking people about the Ozian world, what book to start with etc so they will know. Also it can be argued that yes Glinda is selfish, but she's also someone desperate fir people's love and attention and will do anything to be seen good. Will push aside her belief like we see when her friends tell her to give Elphaba the hat and she doesn't really want to. I genuinely do think there is a part of good in her that is very easily manipulated. She is gullible and desperate so she will do anything to be seen good or liked. Calling her a fascist is plain wrong considering in the book she is both good and bad
Loved your reaction! As an Arianator (a good one lol) i can definitely say that Galinda is absolutely a villain. Ive loved ariana since victorious, then found out she was in 13 the musical. Love theater so loved that. I am so glad she played galinda the way she did. I agree that in no one mourns the wicked, the broadway version, galinda seemed a bit sadder, but i appreciated arianas blatant distastefulness in this version. It really kinda sneakpeaked her ability to pick and choose what she allows to affect her image. It shows her lack of heart. And i think i, (as someone who had never seen the show but have loved the album since i heard it in high school) needed to see that to grasp how quickly/easily galinda can decide to only be loved by the people. I did not feel how you fealt about the choreo though, i thought it was fun and fabulous. I agree that i wished cynthia really sang out more during like the wizard and i but i get saving it for her climax lr whatever. I never got the idea that the wiz was elfies dad though. I do think that they attempted to make it seem like glinda kinda wanted to go and tried, but not fast enough and not fully. It really showed her hesitation to do the right thing if it meant shed be hated. Especially with now quickly she hugged madam back. Ugh
The Wizard is Elphie's dad in _Wicked_ as it's his green elixir that turns Elphie's skin green and Glinda will out him as Elphie's dad to his face in part 2 (after Elphie's already been melted), leading to the charlatan departing OZ in shame, while Madame Morrible will either be killed earlier on in the 2nd half of the story (ala the novel) or she will be sent to prison for her crimes against Animals & other marginalized people.
I work at a theater and i've seen the no one mourns the wicked scene multiple times at this point. Glinda is visibly upset during this song imo. Her eyes show grief and she looks out in a way that shows she's not really with the villagers in their joy, but is trying to hide her sadness. Her eyes have tears in them, but she doesn't allow them to fall. The flippantness is only because she really wants the villagers to eff off so she can be alone. It's in the breath placement for the song as well. I'm not a singer so I don't know how to phrase exactly what I mean, but the grief was very prominent to me in both sound and visually.
As someone who has only listened to the soundtrack, I’ve also always gotten the idea that Glinda never really agreed with the villagers, even from just the first song
@@madelion24 Do you find working in a theatre ruins your own personal experience of the movie(s) or do u appreciate the free sneak peaks?
This!!!
@madelion24 but keyring is , at the opening of the movie she is at the end of maturing as a person and understanding people will give all their hate to stuff they don't understand and how it hurts, throughout the movie she's not the same woman who's telling the story but the blissful girl who has to grow into that woman .
@@AlexTawen Working at the theater doesn't ruin the movies for me at all. I love film and movies. I'm not a fan of horror so having to deal with any issues in those auditoriums gets passed to my co-workers when possible.(I'm a manager so not always possible) Because of my love of films/movies I have a better insight of who will see what and how to recommend to those who just came to watch whatever is playing. As only about half the people who come to the movies plan ahead what they are going to see. I get to see my favorite scenes of a new release over and over if I time it right. And I get to see movies I might not have otherwise known about because I work there. For the ones I don't want spoiled I've gotten very good about either watching it early or doing a la la la in my head when people start to yap about it. There have been many times I've had to shush a co-worker when they get too far into spoilers when discussing with someone who hasn't seen the movie yet.
Also, in the movie, when Elphaba uses her magic accidentally and it unveils how the wizard imagery around the school is literally covering and hiding the animal history of the school. It's such a small touch I've not seen anyone else mention yet and I loved it when I saw it cos I thought it subtly added to the lore for those who know the story but acted as foreshadowing for those who hasn't seen the musical or read the book.
I’ve been hoping someone noticed this too! I gasped in happiness at the detail!!
I thought about that too!
I have seen a couple of mentions to it.
I think this where I agree with issues with lighting. I tried seeing it again during my second time, but the sign was so bright, I could not see the animals underneath it.
I haven’t seen the musical and I don’t want to. I loved Wicked the movie 💙‼️ and I now want to read the book 💙💯‼️
@@logann-mackenziefroste563 the movie is basically just the first act of the musical. The book is very very different from both! If you liked the movie, you will probably like the musical as well.
I think Ariana played the emotions in her face during no one mourns. It was in the vocal, too - but you can see her fighting back her guilt, knowledge of the situation and sadness; in her face. She’s just ‘smiling for the camera’..at least that’s how I felt. I kept thinking, “she looks sooo sad”.
As I did!!
I’m a 22 year old guy who had no prior knowledge of Wicked besides “Popular” and “Defying Gravity” and didn’t know there was a book, but I have so many friends that are obsessed with musical theatre. *This movie was everything.* Cynthia and Ariana are perfectly casted, everyone was. Even supporting characters. Things were paced so good, especially the ending going between plot and song in Defying Gravity.
Also, Ariana’s past playing Cat was the thing I was stuck on the most in this movie. Her quirk, snappy action and comedic timing, etc was SO. GOOD.
Cynthia’s physicality made me so emotional. No spoilers, but I almost cried 3 times during the club scene. So good.
im so glad you loved it!! I didn’t make the connection to Cat but you’re so right!
The sprinkling in of the “For Good” theme/orchestrations throughout the entire film (specifically in “Dancing Through Life”) was genius, and it was honestly the most impactful undertone for me watching it.
I'm pretty sure you're right about Cynthia holding back during The Wizard and I. I think it was an intentional choice so that when she fully gives everything in Defying Gravity it's so much more impactful, and also shows the growth of her character and her not holding back any part of herself anymore!
She ROARED during DG. I was LIVING!!!
5:53 that was DEFINITELY Jeff’s voice. I didn’t know that was a fan theory. I thought the movie confirmed it by having him sing it 😭
The soundtrack also credits him
But they do confirm it at the very end of the broadway show?? At least in the slime tutorial i watched
I think in the movie Glinda seemed more sad cos the munchkins think she's singing about Elphabas wickedness but she is actually describing herself.
Lines like "no one mourns the wicked", well she's mourning for Elphaba so that's an untrue statement. And "the wicked are lonely" the shot of the screen of Glinda surrounded by but not connected too the munchkins, made her look like she's the lonely one. Cos we know at that moment Elphaba isn't lonely, she's somewhere else in the land with Feyro.
I wouldn't say Glinda is an outright villain, she's our insert character (the character most people can relate too and imagine ourselves in her shoes), which when you put both acts of the story together (part one Glinda is a silly kid who's following the crowd to be popular, the second part is Glinda realising she's actually an active part of the fascist regime and having to deal with that somehow) moving into the next movie she's the person going along with fascism cos it's beneficial to her. Like how most people don't want to admit it, most of us want to believe we'd resist fascism, but most wouldn't (look at the USAs latest election for a perfect real-life example of this, all the early signs are here for the USA that were in Germany when Adolf came along). People who aren't part of a discriminated against group don't notice fascism as fascism because it benefits them. That's Glinda's role.
Interesting, you see it as fascist. I saw it as a critique of neoliberalism/ The Status Quo.
I'll concede Oz is literally a dictator😅, but Glinda in particular seems to be a critique of those who you just like based on vibes, but in reality, aren't really interested in your needs. As an American, I think this applies to either political party. (As a whole, at least. There's some good people)
@@jeremyjohnson9609Exactly 👏🏼
Her character reminded me of the large percentage of white women we've seen quietly voting to maintain the old structures in America.
Glenda chose what was comfortable and beneficial for her when being good would disrupt that comfort. I think some people are defending her because they relate to her choices and don't want to see it as bad
that's interesting that you thought Ariana seemed flippant. I thought the exact opposite. i love the subtle bits of emotion she gave Glinda in that that song. Like she's done dozens of these, and just wanted to get it over with because she hates how everyone is painting her best friend, but she has to play her part.
yeah id argue it showed more emotion than broadway typically does. her ditzyness during no one mourns was so toned down compared to live stage
Well she kept insisting that Glinda is the villain so...
yeah upon the rewatch i felt different tbh!! i still think it didn’t give “sad” but i agree she wasn’t really as flippant as i remember from my first watch
I think that’s a huge stretch to say that Glinda was the villain
@carmen5358 after watching it, I'd agree. But after thinking about the possibility, I'm not so sure. How much evil can villain ever do except with the aid of the weak and the cowardly?
Agree with just about everything you’ve said. But if you watch any of the current interviews with Cynthia Eriva “solo” she makes it very clear that she was harnessed, guided by wires, had to do heavy cardio to train her diaphragm and lungs to work in such a constricted outfit, was singing through her loop-the-loop and LOVED flying. There was no CGI involved.
they literally changed a word in the very first song. it was “atrocious” and they swapped it to “uncanny”. the wizard is her father not just hinted at.
my kid and i both noticed this too and we were like WHY
I think they changed because her bear-nanny says it and they wanted to soften the line so her nanny didn't use such a harsh word for her.
31:50 - Did anyone notice how much Jeff Goldblum's Wizard looks like Walt Disney?
When he unveiled the diorama, I immediately blurted *"EPCOT"*
You could say Universal was getting their Diggs in... for the Oscar.
your rant about the WITF choreo is kinda funny ngl lol - just want to add that the main/lead’s choreo being slightly different than the background dancers is a very common practice - it’s to add contrast and make the lead stand out - just like how the background dancers don’t roll their eyes and do the “oh” adlib - i just didn’t get your impression that there was something ‘off’ about the choreo at all - in fact i think it adds to it. but to each their own :)
as a dancer, ur so right, and upon rewatching that scene several times i still can't see what she's talking about lol
I think in regards to Glinda being flippant and “Not sad”, like, yeah. She’s a political figure in Oz, and is acting exactly how she’s supposed to. The munchkins think Elphaba was public enemy #1 and are celebrating victory. I even agreed with you to some degree as I was watching, but we see more intimate moments of emotions from her, especially as the sing goes on. For instance, her small troubled glance after the munchkins start talking bad about her, or right after she throws the torch. You see her start to tear up. I think the song is told in much the same way as the musical, but with more nuance that is only possible on film.
Your reading of "I'm Not That Girl" echoes my feelings about that part of the movie!
Also, I really thought the cub scene with Elphaba and Fiyero was precious, and all their short scenes together were really cute and a little different from how it's played in the stage musical.
im not that girl was sooo beautiful it hit just as hard the second time!! and right?? i loved how they’re letting it slow burn with small interactions!! I can’t wait for the second movie 😭
I thought it was fully canon that the wizard was her dad they are literally played by the same guy (the mysterious man and the wizard of oz) its out right stated in the second half of the musical
you kind of brushed over DTL in your review but oh my god - the gelphie dance at the end absolutely destroooyyeedddd me - anyone who’s ever felt different and tried to fit in can understand what that feels like. the tears wouldn’t stop falling! from the moment glinda realizes what she’s done to elphie - to elphie putting her hat back on & glinda joining her - i just felt like everything in that scene was executed perfectly and really encapsulated the emotional core of the story. i can’t even talk about it out loud without tearing up😂😂😂😂😂
A) it may be after I read the book, but I feel the stage play did hint at the wizard being Elphaba’s father in the beginning just with the elixir alone. But the book had another surprising element when it came to the “affair”.
B) for “no one mourns the wicked”, after seeing the film twice, Glinda did look sad when they burned Elphaba’s statue. And her voice sounded sadder as she was walking around.
Her smile came back when she told their story.
C) while unintentional or not, I think Ariana being off beat with the book is genius. Glinda is not someone who would follow anyone. She sets her own trends even if it means her followers can’t keep up with her. But maybe that is just me.
i think it felt like more obvious foreshadowing then the stage show cus it was jeff goldbum's voice, and his voice is so easily identifiable
Yes he's voice is so identifiable, as well as he is also listed on the soundtrack
Something that I absolutely love about the soundtrack is that they kept the 90s synth in there, which really gives Wicked that “wicked feel”.
As someone who has never seen the broadway show and knows nothing about Wicked beside basic The Wizard of Oz, it almost feels like in No One Mourns the Wicked that Glinda is talking about herself in the lyrics.
So the way you describe Galinda as the actual villain of the story makes so much sense to me
I’ve always felt she is singing about herself - as a Wicked fan. She knows the truth, and allowed this to happen, and is the truly lonely one. She is the true Wicked between the two.
Disagree on wizard and I. Elphaba singing softly to not cause a scene and then finally letting loose when she was away from everybody at shiz was amazing direction. The entire song was beautifully done, particularly when she goes, “degreenify you” and they do a bit of color theory and it looks like she actually isn’t green! I felt Cynthia really captured the giddiness that Elphaba tries to contain in that scene. It felt a lot more relatable and intimate to watch, and was truly the first time that song really moved me (probably cause it’s being sung by someone who has experienced literal discrimination based on their skin color). The direction in that scene was just so amazing and creative, and Cynthia’s wizard and I has officially become my favorite, which is crazy cause I love Jessica Vosk’s version
I felt like in the first number Ariana did it perfectly. Most of the song is flippant smiles and occasionally you catch her with this plane expression of restrained self loathing. I got the feeling that she was singing those lines about herself " The Wicked's lives are lonely. The Wicked die alone. It just shows when you're Wicked You're left only On your own"
Weird to call the Wizard being Elphaba’s dad a “theory” when Act 2 comes right out and confirms it.
The Wizard is the villain of Wicked. Glinda is a regular person who assimilates into the fascist regime- just like the average person. She represents the dangers of being a centrist or by the numbers liberal. Glinda is not even the villain of part 1 either. She is a complicated person who is neither completely good through and through or evil. Calling her the villain when theres obvious villains in the piece is a bit overkill
I thought the same thing. Granted, this is the first thing I’ve ever seen of Wicked ever, but it’s obvious she isn’t a villain-as you said it, she’s a centrist. She’s conflicted and vulnerable due to what she wants/safety. How could you not call the teacher and the wizard the real villains…they literally are the villains. Bad take imo.
SPOILER COMMENT FOR MOVIE TWO:
eh I guess it depends on if you think those who assimilate into fascist regimes are villains in and of themselves or not… she chose her ambition over doing the right thing and continues to do so until the last song of the show basically, i do personally think that says something about her character. she’s not even just ambivalent to what the wizard is doing, she’s helping him and becomes a part of his government!! and I don’t think she’s that complicated in this movie, she’s selfish and she only starts being nice to elphaba bc elphaba is nice first and turns on her the second being a friend to her would actually hurt glinda
If everyone was like glinda it would be really bad , the fact that she is conflicted by assimilating doesn't discredit being part of the society that sits quietly while this happens . But they only name dropped protests one time
@@meredithnovaco yes! been knew since seeing the movie so really don't have to spoil what the 2nd movie will be about maybe for others
She’s a VILLAIN. She’s not just a REGULAR person experiencing it…. She AIDS it. Pushes it forward and influences it. She’s a pillar symbol of Iz GLINDA THE “GOOD”
It’s hard because she’s so charismatic and fits the standard of beauty.
A couple words were changed. In "I'm Not That Girl", Elphaba sings "She *who's* winsome" instead of "She is winsome." Found that to be more of a meta comment to herself, as in "that's not how these stories play out - doesn't matter who the popular blonde is as a person - she always wins the dumb popular jock." Which adds to the message that Galinda is not a good person for most of the show!
Also, in "Defying Gravity", the guards shout "K!LL HER" instead of "GET HER." Really shows how terrifying her power is to the Wizard and his crumbling facade. Also better foreshadowing of "March of the Witch Hunters" in Part II
In the “Wicked” books series it is heavily implied, if not outright said, that Oz is her father
For a long time Glinda IS the villain, by the end she changes but does a lot of damage during the show. And in the book it shown much more explicitly. Glinda isn’t just shown to be mean, but she’s shown to be racist and willingly assisting in a fascist government until she starts to “feel bad” while people are being put in cages. She’s a villain, even if she has emotions. We can recognize that and recognize that she does have a character arc, where she attempts to take accountability for what she’s done and who she is. Sho chose ambition over equality, like so many people do in real life. As a black person, she is so much like many white people I know. Well meaning, but with extremely damaging actions.
EXACTLYYYYYY thank you!! It’s so great to understand the book perspective as well, ive never read it, ive only seen the show. Im making a follow up on everyone defending Glinda bc im soooooooo shocked so many people didn’t realize she’s supposed to be the bad guy for the majority of the story
@@meredithnovaco Following your ambitions isn't necessarily a bad thing, but doing so to aid a corrupt regime that is fascist (and also 1. Anti-Animal [i.e. taking Dr. Dillamond away from his teaching post for speaking out against the injustice perpetuated against sapient creatures -- in the musical, he's simply rendered unable to talk at all, although his sad eyes show he still recognizes Elphie as someone willing to stand up for what's right despite how browbeaten he now was following the unspoken cruelty The Wizard & Madame Morrible had more than likely subjugated him to, even before Elphie discovers him hiding beneath a covered sheet in a certain room of The Emerald City palace that The Wizard & Madame Morrible were using to turn sapient Animals into domesticated animals solely meant serve humanity in a bit of horrible "Humans are the dominant species, but you sapient Animals who are seeking the same rights as conventional humans are not abiding by that long-established status quo, so bow down & do what we humans tell you to do, otherwise we will take away your ability to communicate like humans, subsequently leaving you only able to speak in the native language of the animal species you actually are & if you continue to rebel against us, we will not hesitate to kill you" classist elitism, henceforth reinforcing Elphie's desire to see the current regime overturned, whereas in the 1995 novel, the token Goat is quite literally killed as a martyred example of what can happen to marginalized groups that spark rebellion as a means of showing any would-be desenters that those currently running the corrupt political landscape of OZ are not people to be trifled with -- and the one teacher at Shiz stating that they brought a caged lion cub to school, with the intent to genuinely perform deadly experiments on the future Cowardly Lion so they could uncover what exactly allows Animals to be sapient, in order to effectively permanently take that ability away from the frightened lion cub, which would have more than likely killed the future Cowardly LIon in the process, thus making a certain line spoken by the Tin Man in _March of the Witch Hunters_ - "And The Lion also has a grievance to repay. If she let him fight his own battles when he was young, he wouldn't be a coward today." - especially troubling, because were it not for Fiyero & Elphie rescuing him as a cub, there is no doubt that the Cowardly Lion would've died as a result of the cruel experiments that had been planned to be used on him had he not gotten rescued in time], 2. Anti-Disabled [Nessa wanting to be able to do things on her own, but always having to deal with ableist actions & rhetoric from all those around her], and, if we're totally transparent, 3. Anti-Anything That Is Not the Stereotypical, Cis Whitewashing, Heteronormative World Perception [Tibbet sadly contracting the OZian version of AIDS & being treated like an unclean leper until his tragic death as a result, the crowd's shocked gasp when Glinda honestly tells the assembled ensemble that she & the infamous Wicked Witch of the West had, indeed, been "friends" during their collegiate years back when "they were roommates", the best case scenario polycule of Gelphie X Fiyero that would've certainly happened had society been better equipped to accept such seemingly outlandish notions at the time that we never got, and even Princess OZma X Dorothy Gale being lowkey canon in even the original literary OZ lore that L. Frank Baum himself had first created all those years ago & not just merely another drastic monumental character shift within gay author Gregory Macguire's pro-LGBT+ revisionist glorified fan fiction retelling of the fantasy world literally _Somwhere Over the Rainbow_ to playfully make use of Judy Garland's Oscar-winning signature song title from the 1939 MGM film]) is bad, even if you're woefully ignorant to the horrible atrocities you're being unknowingly, if not unwillingly, complicit to.
In the film she was ableist towards Nessarose.
@@o.m9514 As most were, excluding Elphie. Even the witch half-sister's surrogate father Frexspar the Godly, even though he doted on Nessa while blaming all of the family misfortune on Elphie & is the one to gift the future Wicked Witch of the East the magical footwear, basically wanted to treat Nessa with kid gloves due to her disability.
Even Boq (the Munchkin boy who harbored an unrequited crush on Galinda, but was instead fobbed off by the airheaded blond archetype sorceress-in-training to be with Elphie's disabled sister) unfortunately stayed with Nessa far longer than he rightfully should've (never mind, the fact that he probably felt 2nd hand guilt for the way he led Nessa on for the lengthy amount of time they were together) and became the Tin Man (in the 2003 musical adaptation & more than likely, the 2nd half of the two-part film, since the 1995 novel still kept Boq as a Munchkin meanwhile the Tin Woodsman was still former woodcarver Nick Chopper, as per the original L. Frank Baum literary OZ lore) due to Nessa shrinking his heart and, upon summoning her sister to save Boq (because, deep down, even though she knew he never earnestly loved her in return, Nessa loved Boq too much to see him die), after Elphie emerged, quite literally, out of Nessa's closet (because Elphie [and Galinda, too, for that matter] is canonically bisexual), Elphie spoke some ancient mumbo jumbo and Boq was saved, except he became a heartless man made entirely of tin.
Rather than being grateful to Elphie for saving his life, the Tin Man was angry at the witch sisters, because he now felt like he definitely stood no chance with Galinda (as if he ever did stand a stance before, because Galinda's ONLY romantic interests were FIYERO [who was himself already married to his wife Sirfina as far back as when the two of them were 7-years-old, according to the Winkie/Vinkus/Arjikie tribe's old world tradition of arranged marriages, long before he ever showed up at Shiz University] & ELPHIE [later books in the _Wicked_ saga actually indicate that Glinda has wet dreams about the times she shared with Elphie] and that's that) & basically told Nessa & Elphie that they should've just let him die rather than have him turn into the Tin Man & that they were both equally wicked.
I'm not an Ariana stan, but I think she did a good job overall. I read her body language in No One Mourns The Wiked as someone trying to not seem upset when they are, and she pulled it off well enough. Despite that being something very difficult for any actor to do.
I think its a little more complicated for glinda than "she is a villain" or "she is not a villain" in the end, yes she does decide to stay with the bad guys rather than go with Elphaba. But standing in her shoes in that moment where she has to make the decision, i dint think the majority of people would go with Elphaba.
From Glinda's perspective, her options are to conform and continue to live, or throw away everything and go with Elphaba, when she herself has no powers and would likely die or be arrested and likely slow Elphaba down in the long run. She is completely powerless when it comes to confronting the Wizard, Madame Morriboe (The only true sorceress in all of oz other than Elphaba), the entire emerald city gaurd and army of flying monkeys. All she would be is a liability for Elphaba and her life would basicly be over.
All this would be for a cause that she doesn't really understand. Unlike Elphaba and Fiyero she has never been an outcast. Elphaba was an outcast because of her skin and powers, Fiyero was constantly kicked out of schools for the way he acted. So he can better empathize with not feeling like he belonged and being silenced (although for very different reasons), where glinda has never faced that, So is at the time incapable of properly understanding the cause.
Which may sound crazy to us but I'm sure everyone has had a point in their life where they haven't understood an issue wither it be a small school)work issue or a larger political issue, but come to educate themselves and better understand it. Well glinda was just starting on that journey, with her frendship with Elphaba, but unfortunately wasn't able to get far enough into it before this big decision presented herself.
For us the viewer we are able to understand who us clearly right or wrong because weve faced similar issues in life. And its easy for us to point at her and say that she chose her own ambition over what's right, but really in that moment, she chose to survive. She couldn't go with Elphaba. She didn't have the power or the understanding for that to really have been an option at all.
As for her actions in act two (i will put the disclaimer that i have not seen act two and have only listened to the soundtrack of the original Broadway cast so my understanding of what takes place is not as clear as it could be and i know im missing lots if information), its still a result of her needing to survive. She has a position of a political leader thrust upon her after Elphaba leaves and she has to play the role if she wants to survive, and unfortunately that sets her down the wrong path before she can have a change if heart by the end of the story. But even then, in "Thank Goodness" there is a section of the song where she does talk about things not feeling right. This could be interpreted as her feeling like her relationship with Fiyero doesnt feel right, but there is a separate song for that in "Im Not That Girl (Reprise)" so im a bit more inclined to believe that this moment in "thank goodness" is about her not feeling confident in her choice to not go with Elphaba. Again im missing a lot of content so i could be very very very wrong.
Anyway this coment is getting very long so ill stop here for now lol i hope this doesnt come across as hateful or overly critical i just got a different reading from Glinda's character, and wanted to discuss. she's by no means a fully good person but i do t think shes villian level.
i fully understand your perspective however i think she definitely could've helped inspire a revolt and she knew that, being how popular she is and the influence she has over others. she chose not to go with elphaba because she knows that she wouldn't make that decision. she's worked her whole life to be popular and powerful, when presented to do the right thing, she chooses to instead get what she's wanted her entire life which shows just how selfish can be. i understand our need to humanize her and say that most people would make the same decision but i think that her decision had less to do with survival and more to do with her own self interest. ariana says in an interview that glinda doesn't go with elphaba, not because she isn't strong enough to make that decision, but because she is strong enough not to. and i think that's a testament to her not only knowing what the right thing to do is but knowing exactly why it's the right thing to do as well.
and i think all of this is also relates to what op says in the video about how we feel inclined to make excuses for/ give her the benefit of the doubt.
when it comes to act ii however, i think at that point it definitely has to do with survival, and i don't mean to spoil it for u but after for good they basically make a pact that glinda won't defend elphaba because the people would turn on glinda because they hate elphaba that much. and that's where i think the survival comes in and her perspective in no one mourns the wicked. buttt i think that if she were to go with elphaba initially they both knew that glinda had the power to inspire change. for instance, we see glinda use her influence at the ball to get people to treat elphaba like a human, she also feigns her support for the animals by changing her name, she clearly has power of the people and she knows this but chooses to use it in ways that benefit her and when presented to do something for the greater good, she chooses not to. in my opinion, i don't think this necessarily makes her THE villian per se, but i think it makes her A villian.
I'm mostly seeing this take from people who don't seem to know the full story, and that's okay. That's where you're supposed to be at this point in the story. It's worth mentioning, however, "no one mourns the wicked" is about Glinda, not elphaba. Glinda mourns for Elphy. But Glindas persistent choices to only prioritize her own best interest at any cost has left her with no one close to her. And, everyone's fate is tied to her inaction and going along with the crowd when she has the power to make change and didn't use it. She knows this. "The wicked are lonely". Glinda is lonely.
I won't spoil the end, but if they depart from the books and go with the musical fully, the debate will be about whether or not her actions redeemed her in ANY way. In my opinion, it's simply shows that she's capable of good acts but she's not capable of selflessness. She's a coward, and selfish, she is not evil but her indifference to suffering for the sake of her own ego and reputation is.
Wicked was originally based on a book that inspired the Broadway musical and, more recently, a movie adaptation. However, both the Broadway show and the movie diverge significantly from the book's tone and content. The book delves deeply into the life of the Wicked Witch of the West, exploring themes of politics, corruption, and societal issues, even including darker elements such as murder and assault. In contrast, the musical and movie take a more whimsical and optimistic approach, focusing on friendship and redemption while leaving much of the book's complexity behind.
3:05 THE GREATEST SHOWMAN!! My favorite movie up to this one.
If you think Glinda is "the villain" you missed the point entirely. Glinda is a victim of the films villain, which is group think, as is the wizard. Glinda has been consumed by it to the point that she can't even think outside those terms or even have a meaningful relationship with anyone. Elphaba is probably the first real friend she's ever had and has awakened Glinda's dormant personality.
I remember Cynthia did a singing lesson for the BBC. She basicaly taught a young artist who was a little bit "performy" how to autenticaly show emotion through your singing. It was remarkable to witness.
the "regular life sounds" as part of the orchestration is THE jon m chu move imo!! i loooove the way he did it in In The Heights
yeah would definitely classify the wizard being the villain of the story and glinda a more of a misguided antagonist that’s why elphaba and glinda still love each other at the end of the story
I just saw the stage show for the first time in October, unless I remember wrong I'm pretty sure it is canonically stated in the show that the Wizard is Elphaba's father.
5:36 I had the thought that the wizard was her dad before she was born in the movie. Sounded just like Jeff.
After seeing the movie twice and having read the book. It is cannon, in the book, that the wizard is Elphaba's dad I think they have added more elements of the book than people (me) originally thought they would. When elphaba has the initial magic explosion there is a stone disk that depicts the wizard carved into the building. When it breaks an image of Animals looking like scholars is revealed. I think this is a big hint at more elements of the book coming in part 2.
Glinda seemed a bit sad at the beginning but accepting. She seemed more angry though.
I saw it last night and was absolutely blown away. I knew I was gonna love it but was shocked with *how much* I loved it. Jon M. Chu understands what a movie musical should be more than most directors in Hollywood, but even more than that, he understands and loves Wicked on a deep and fundamental level. He was the perfect choice to direct this because he was able to take advantage of the film medium and really elevate Wicked to the level that it deserves for its film adaptation(s). Ariana and Cynthia were the standouts to be sure, and I definitely think if this film is nominated for any Oscars, it’ll be for them for Best Supporting Actress and Best Actress respectively, as well as production design and costuming. But for me, the real standout was Marissa Bode as Nessarose. She was absolutely delightful in the role, and it’ll make what happens to her in Part 2 all the more devistating. While I don’t think it’s the best musical of the decade or even this century, as I loved both Spielberg’s take on West Side Story as well as Chicago, it’s absolutely up there. November 2025 can’t come fast enough
im so happy you loved it!! i felt the same!! i agree a year for part 2 is criminal 😭😭
Everybody is entitled to their opinion 100% I didn't agree with a lot of your takes (but will think on the Glinda one as well as watch your video on it next)
Also for context coming from someone who never seen the theater production.
When you got to the part with Glinda and the people walking behind her I thought it was unnecessary nick picking.
Personally I couldn't even notice.
Of course you did but like you said if it was a choice for her to be a little off that wouldn't surprise me because she is the main focus of the scene so doing something slightly off to make them stand out of the people in the background makes sense in my brain.
Honestly that part is one of my favorite parts of that song so I can't see what you see haha
But that's the beauty of art I suppose.
Much love ♥️
I agree with most of what you say, especially Galinda/Glinda being a villian, always felt that way, from Wizzard of Oz, to when I read Wicked. But i felt that in the opening song in the movie there were a number of times when here sadness and grief (and guilt) shined through in her face and somewhat in her vocals.
Hysteria was not the reaction I had to watching his performance of Dancing Through Life, which is funny because I never found him attractive in Bridgerton, but as Fiyero...
YESS!!!
Jeff golblum is credited on the music CD for "No one mourns the wicked":D
I didn’t realise that he was the father until somebody spoiled it, then I looked at the credit on Spotify and understood why the man sounded familiar to the wizard.
Agree with your comment on Cynthia’s vocal performance in the early songs, completely. Her performance grows with her confidence, drive, and passion.
But also agree it does seem dull in comparison with expectations and potential.
I like that she sounds younger in Wizard and I vs Defying Gravity. It’s the hopeful naive “Disney heroine says what she wants” song vs “truth’s out I’m outta here”.
I think they changed like one word and no one mourns the wicked when alphaba is born but that's it
Guys I dunno that this needed to be spelt out, but looks like it might. So for first time viewers, instead of giving any spoilers consider: elphaba is not wicked. We've seen that. It's a misconception that she's wicked. And whose fault is that? Hint: not Elphabas. Since we are led to believe No One Mourns the Wicked is about Elphaba at the start, let's look back at it now that we've seen that she's not actually a wicked witch and ask-who could that be about? What foreshadowing could we be seeing/hearing here.
It’s literally canon that the wizard is her father.
0:29 Finee i’ll come back to this after watching it 😔 I know nothing about wizard of oz so this is gonna be interesting
I saw a sad facial expression on arianas face during no one mourns.... briefly
I know it’s late but it is Jeff singing on “no one mourns the wicked” but tis a body double in the actual scene you can check the soundtrack credits
I'm seeing wicked with my mom on Saturday!!
so fun!! i hope you like it!!
I can see why Elphaba would want people to like her, so that they would respect her.
glinda IS the villain because she is complicit and allows wicked things to happen. there.
Knowing what’s going to happen in part two I can see where you’re coming from. I can see her being sad but I can also see some anger/revenge knowing how act 2 plays out.
She’d done a lot of SNL acting too
I felt as if Glinda decided to come with Elphaba but was taken hostage by Morrible.
I'm mostly seeing this take from people who don't seem to know the full story, and that's okay. That's where you're supposed to be at this point in the story. It's worth mentioning, however, "no one mourns the wicked" is about Glinda, not elphaba. Glinda mourns for Elphy. But Glindas persistent choices to only prioritize her own best interest at any cost has left her with no one close to her. And, everyone's fate is tied to her inaction and going along with the crowd when she has the power to make change and didn't use it. She knows this. "The wicked are lonely". Glinda is lonely.
I won't spoil the end, but if they depart from the books and go with the musical fully, the debate will be about whether or not her actions redeemed her in ANY way. In my opinion, it's simply shows that she's capable of good acts but she's not capable of selflessness. She's a coward, and selfish, she is not evil but her indifference to suffering for the sake of her own ego and reputation is.
I don’t think Glinda is the villain…. 😭
well if the writers don't think she's the villain then she probably isn't 😭
ooh do explain!!
@@meredithnovaco in the story it is heavily implied that both Elphaba and Glinda can be wicked, they are both right and wrong.
Glinda is mean and self absorbed but she is changed for good because she meets Elphaba. They are both in the same coin, technically Glinda also want to change the system but from the inside, for me personally if Elphaba went with a strategic route she wouldn’t have been protrayed as the wicked witch but yeah Glinda did succumb to her ambitions but at the start of act 2 it clearly shows she is not happy and does know it’s not right
After the betrayal of Elphaba and Fiyero of course she is emotional but she didn’t want Elphaba or Nessa to get killed, she just said to madam morrible that they should spread a humor that nessa is in their hands so Elphaba can come and they will capture her in the process. She said that because of her emotions. I don’t think she is the villain because of that
In the end and throughout act 2 we can clearly see that Glinda is lowkey helping Elphaba and they made up in the end
And after Elphaba died she did right her wrongs and kicked the real villains, the wizard and madam morrible
@@pizzaroneeeFor a long time Glinda IS the villain, by the end she changes but does a lot of damage during the show. And in the book it shown much more explicitly. Glinda isn’t just shown to be mean, but she’s shown to be racist and willingly assisting in a fascist government until she starts to “feel bad” while people are being put in cages. She’s a villain, even if she has emotions. We can recognize that and recognize that she does have a character arc, where she attempts to take accountability for what she’s done and who she is. Sho chose ambition over equality, like so many people do in real life. As a black person, she is so much like many white people I know. Well meaning, but with extremely damaging actions.
@@binkbonl well we are not talking about the book, the book and the musical is very different. I'm talking about the musical and in the musical she can be called an anti-hero. In the movie specifically it is highlighted that she started to hate Elphaba because she is jealous that Elphaba is studying magic not her. Yes she is racist at first but that is not the main reason she hated her. While the other students just hate her because of her skin. Yeah she had done a lot of damage in the story but that doesn't make her a villain, in Arcane for example everyone is flawed and no one is right or wrong. At least here the wizard and Madam Morrible can be called villain but not Glinda
After seeing it last night, it was well worth watching a movie like Wicked. 😎
i 100% agree!!
Glinda is an anti-hero, not a villain. I’m not sure you understand what a villain is? Both Glinda and Elphaba are both able to do wicked things, but by the second act both are striving to do the right thing - one from outside the system and one from within. Both make mistakes. Both are trying to be moral in their own ways. They are two sides of the same coin, both products of a fascist system that has influenced their lives in different ways. Glinda benefitted, therefore she chooses to try to reform the system from within. Elphaba was always an outsider, and therefore tries to outright destroy it.
I watched it literally 2 hours ago. I had "hopes" for it (not necessarily high hopes because you cant have too much confidence in these things 😂) - it was AMAZING. I've seen the play, so i knew what to expect and everything, but it still had me hooked from beginning to the end. I went with my mom, and she agrees. She genuinely enjoyed it, musicals are more my thing so i was worried she wouldn't be into it.
Cynthia and Ariana were fantastic. Vocally, of course, but as actors more importantly. Hilarious too. I cried several times 😭 watching them dance together for one!!
I’m so glad you loved it!!! I loved it sooooo much I completely agree the performances were incredible and the pacing and staging are amazing, it doesn’t feel like as long a movie as it is
literally feening for a second watch
sameee ill probably go for a third time….
I mean The wizard IS elphabas dad, isnt that in the musical
Maybe she was directed to chill her voie till the last song and the next movie of her accepting herself
I had minimal knowledge about Wicked but I’m a huge arianator so I had to show up for my sister. I love your take regarding Ariana (Glinda) to be a villain and waiting for arianators like myself to react to that!!! After researching and diving into the lore of this universe, I learned that Glinda is such a complex character and I’m so excited for Ariana to take on this. I absolutely LOVE that Glinda is the “bad guy”. I hope this role will lean her into other complex roles in drama or even thriller/horrors so that the public will view her as an actress and not just “Ariana Grande, the popstar”. I will ride for Ariana always but Elphaba/Cynthia Erivo deserves all the flowers for her performance in this!!! Elphaba says “she’s not that girl” but SHE INDEED IS!!!!
16:56 that is why the song this feeling where people where being awful to her and calling her disgusting, to be heartbreaking.
19:05 I think that it was good because it showed how Glinda’s behaviour affects other people and how other peoples behaviour affected Glinda. She was always watching their reaction and acting in reaction to them. They wanted a martyr and a saint And she became those things for them. It started at the very beginning where she looked at people’s reaction to Elphaba then said that she will become a wizard and “help” Elphaba. The performance in not just about Glinda, it was about how the students react to her as well.
i do not agree at ALL that glinda wasnt sad in nobody mourns the wicked
Jon M Chu, pls release the extended cut if you have it 😭😭
Wasn't it confirmed in the books that the Wizard is Elphaba's Dad? Actually, there's a new book about her childhood coming this year - "Elphie".
Cynthia gave the songs and this gigantic moment what each needed. Both Cynthia and Ariana just had to please the director and themselves as artists. We are going to just appreciate this art and be thankful for these gifts. Girl, please do not be one of those people who drag Black women for not being perfect enough.😢
im not!! i spent the whole video complimenting her!! my point was that she’s so good that i was disappointed in how they directed the wizard and i!!
Someone said Galinda's name change was virtue signalling akin to influencers posting black squares in 2020 and I think that's so perfect.
My mom and I saw it in chicago 20 years ago and are going to see it Friday at noon. Wizard of Oz and Wicked are so dear to us and I am so excited to see it
im excited for you!!!
In the book, Elphaba is not really wicked.. she gave herself that name after hearing the munchkins giving her sister that name. She really didn't do anything wicked.. she did react to people mistreating people and animals. So i will love to see what happened in part 2 because this movie has a lot of changes from the book. I rather see the darkness of the book instead... however, I see this play disney-fied the book.
I don’t think Glinda is THE Villain but I think she is definitely not good either. I think it’s more of a gray area. I think more along the lines of she is not a good person but used a bit around some of the people around her aka her fellow fascists members. I think she just wanted to be liked and adored and that was used against her a bit. Even though she wasn’t doing things cause she was good but cause she knew that was want others would admire her “good” deeds.
In part one, Glinda’s behaviour did affect Elphaba, though not permanently.
A young creative person NEEDS to see Tick Tick Boom. It's for you. You will love it.
ill check it out!!
Not to be “that” arianator, Ariana was in Don’t Look Up (2021). Although I can say, as a longtime fan of Ariana and all of her work, her work in that movie is not to be compared AT ALL to Wicked. She did have a side role in the movie but that was her most recent acting role!!! :DDD I digress, love this video overall!!
Thanks, Meredith! 🌈 I loved it. I'm very excited about PARK TWO (2025).
It’s a very interesting time to be a theatre kid who grew up on Wicked AND an Arianator lol
Thank you for validating my being underwhelmed by ‘The Wizard and I’ lol it just seemed tame!! I get it might have been on purpose, but idk it was still tame even with that context
I was hoping they'd cut this song 😅 I skip it on the Broadway track every time
Tick Tick Boom is flawless
I agreed with your statement about Jeff Goldblooms performance as OZ..it was good, but compared to everyone else it was a bit lackluster for me. I hate to say I don’t remember OZ much from the musical it’s been years but the original OZ was very quirky very silly and kind of a jerk at the same time, whereas this rendition was very monotone idk how to describe it
It’s Boq, not Buck. And Glinda is NOT the villain, by a long shot. That is a wild take. The Wizard and Madame Morrible are the villains. Other people have already made comments that explain this well, so I won’t waste space here saying what they’ve already said. But it’s very clear that that is NOT the story.
Just posted a whole video about this!! glinda is the villain :)
I’m gonna watch that one next lol. I’m still getting through your other one. Also, I forgot to add that Jeff Goldblum is listed as an artist on the soundtrack in “No One Mourns the Wicked” so that was him singing as the man with the green elixir. So yes, it’s official that the Wizard is Elphaba’s dad, not just a fan theory.
I think I'm going insane I watched 2 days consecutively and I feel like it's still not enough. I HAVE TO WATCH IT AGAIN!!!!
Saying Glinda is THE villain of Wicked is a strange take
I mean she’s not THE villain to me but she’s definitely one of them and it kinda makes her worse when Oz is corrupt but she’s definitely knows it’s wrong and feels it’s wrong but does it anyway because it gets her to the place where she wants to be
She is one of them. Though a coward.
They definitely did way more on the dad angle in the movie than the stage production
I feel like it makes sense though that she would do something different than the rest of the group because she’s the leader and she can do whatever she wants, I think it was a directoral choice and I agree with it, there is no way in a movie like this that they would mess up and leave it in. And I think at the beginning it wasn’t Jeff goldblum because in the musical it is not the actor who plays the wizard and I think it is that way because he is supposed to be a lot younger at the time and look different.
super confused about your opinion on the what is this feeling choreo, that’s not uncommon or strange at all? it’s extremely common to have the lead/center person doing something different choreo wise. it doesn’t look weird, it looks intentional and adds character. i’m not a dancer but i have performed on stage many times with some choreo involved, so i’m just really confused about your perspective 😭
I haven’t enjoyed a movie musical like this since high school musical lol
Bring back DVDs? DVDs haven’t gone away.
Compared to 10? 20 years ago? Yea they have lmao. You know what she meant be serioussss 💀💀
I just pre-ordered the dvd on Amazon, so no, I don’t know what she means.
@@elenaphisher244 How Long have you been a human being? You should know by my know what exaggeration is lol. Ppl aren’t genuinely concerned and confused because movies have literally disappeared. Bruh. Cmon 💀💀
**spoliers for act two**
i might be misremembering because it’s been 15 years since i last saw the musical, but the wizard being elphaba’s father isn’t a fan theory right? doesn’t glinda confront him with the green bottle? and elphaba never learns the truth.
also if you’re implying that glinda knows elphie isn’t really dead so it makes sense for her to not be completely sad during nomtw, glinda never learns that elphaba and fiyero are alive. she sees elphaba “melt” and then takes the bottle to the wizard. or am i wrong about that? idk lol it’s been SO long since i’ve seen the show.
16:18 I like how that was reflected in her telling Fiyero that she scratched him, and he said perhaps the cat did.
Also it’s Boq not buck haha that’s my only criticism
I loved this film so much. This was an absolute masterpiece to me and I'm sure the Academy agrees with me now. Wicked is now going all in for the best picture campaign. Actually, the 900 Oscar voter standing ovation that this film received had officially counted this as this year's Oppenheimer. It was the best turnout they had since that film. Awards voters want a taste of green if you know what I mean LOL 😆. It's rightfully deserved though, because everything from the production design, screenplay, acting, and especially the defying gravity sequence was enough for Awards voters to call this best picture. It isn't even that though. It's the cultural messages and how powerful the messages of inclusivity, racial diversity, abuse by different political figures and political ideologies. This film to speak surprisingly close the world that we faced in the outcome of the election. It's surprisingly close to that and it's also what's resonating with voters so much. I have a feeling it'll jump all the way to a best picture win as this film has everything the Academy looks for and more. I'm a firm believer that using act 1 as a template for a much larger and complete and narratively satisfying story was the smartest way to go as this very much is its own film. The ending is actually a perfect ending to this one film and never feels like it cuts off abruptly. That's the power of Jon Chu as a filmmaker in this film. Like if you agree.
I will mention that they fiero did not ask where the most swankified place in town was like how was he to know? Also they made it seem like theyd get in trouble if they went to the oz dust which wasn't even true cause morble said nothing
And "maybe he say green and thought it meant go" was changed
I compleeetely disagree with you about the Ariana being flippant. I thought the opposite and ny friend who knew nothing about wicked went in assuming the two are ennenies and she whispered why does glinda seems sad in my ear during no one mourns the wicked.
Also I'm seeing arianators online asking people about the Ozian world, what book to start with etc so they will know. Also it can be argued that yes Glinda is selfish, but she's also someone desperate fir people's love and attention and will do anything to be seen good. Will push aside her belief like we see when her friends tell her to give Elphaba the hat and she doesn't really want to. I genuinely do think there is a part of good in her that is very easily manipulated. She is gullible and desperate so she will do anything to be seen good or liked. Calling her a fascist is plain wrong considering in the book she is both good and bad
Glinda being the villain is actually just kinda a fan theory. She's neither portrayed as good or bad when you look at her actions
Loved your reaction! As an Arianator (a good one lol) i can definitely say that Galinda is absolutely a villain. Ive loved ariana since victorious, then found out she was in 13 the musical. Love theater so loved that. I am so glad she played galinda the way she did. I agree that in no one mourns the wicked, the broadway version, galinda seemed a bit sadder, but i appreciated arianas blatant distastefulness in this version. It really kinda sneakpeaked her ability to pick and choose what she allows to affect her image. It shows her lack of heart. And i think i, (as someone who had never seen the show but have loved the album since i heard it in high school) needed to see that to grasp how quickly/easily galinda can decide to only be loved by the people. I did not feel how you fealt about the choreo though, i thought it was fun and fabulous. I agree that i wished cynthia really sang out more during like the wizard and i but i get saving it for her climax lr whatever. I never got the idea that the wiz was elfies dad though. I do think that they attempted to make it seem like glinda kinda wanted to go and tried, but not fast enough and not fully. It really showed her hesitation to do the right thing if it meant shed be hated. Especially with now quickly she hugged madam back. Ugh
The Wizard is Elphie's dad in _Wicked_ as it's his green elixir that turns Elphie's skin green and Glinda will out him as Elphie's dad to his face in part 2 (after Elphie's already been melted), leading to the charlatan departing OZ in shame, while Madame Morrible will either be killed earlier on in the 2nd half of the story (ala the novel) or she will be sent to prison for her crimes against Animals & other marginalized people.
Not you erasing Ariana in the thumbnail...