I was fully skeptical of the decision to split Wicked into two parts, especially after seeing the run time, but I'm more than willing to admit I was dead wrong!!! Wicked Part 1 is a triumph, and the fastest two and a half hours of my life. The film was so well-paced, vibrant, and stunning. I couldn't look away from the screen the entire time. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out, and I'm so excited for Part 2!!!!
Cynthia's interpretation of Elphaba is THE standout for me in a movie full of amazing performances and craftsmanship. I cannot wait to see what she brings to the rest of her material.
She's so good that the Oz dust ballroom scene will probably be enough for Oscar voters to give her the Oscar. There's no doubt that she has more in her in part too. But it's safe to say that the standing ovation this film had received is giving it clear front runner status. I can see this winning a lucky number 13 awards. Maybe, we'll see what happens, but for now it's a front runner.
Find this comment v much funny, kinda like how Kristin was favored to be the standout but Idina Menzel really stood out. I’d say more ppl were ariane favored here but all 4 women are amazing just history repeatin
@@AntsTheaterCorner2698 I find it baffling that Oscar predictors are not predicting her. She had the most emotional scenes and had one of the best performances of the year.
I'll never forget the look of pure betrayal and hurt and disgust in her eyes when she finds out what the Wizard and Morrible really doing. Truly heartbreaking.
@@12345678abracadabraactually those 2 gave one a chance to breathe imo and they knew for those two songs the songs themselves are the most important part. I personally thought his holding back with these two showed a great maturity as a director. Not every song needs to be bombastic imo.
I found both The Wizard and I and I'm Not That Girl to be highly focused and very rewarding performances. I found their staging to support what the performer and the song itself were bringing. Elphaba defensively cautiously restrains her emotions throughout her life and the show. In The Wizard and I we got to see what the child Elphpaba is like when no one else was watching. She allowed herself to indulge and play in hope in this number. That was clearly evoked. I'm Not That Girl - the resignation and lack of self pity in this number was heartbreaking. Basically, if the song works and does what it's supposed to do, don't distract from it or overlay your own creative interpretation: just place it in a space where it can breathe and leave it alone.
The casting was perfection: Ariana was born to play Glinda and her comedic yet heartfelt performance was impeccable! 💖Cynthia really brought the heart , depth & range needed to portray Elphaba…every time she was on the screen I was emotionally invested💚The cinematography, choreography, costumes, score, script & overall direction was MAGNIFICENT. I’m so happy my favorite musical has been adapted by people who CARE & LOVE the material!!!! 💚💖💚🧹. My only disappointment is that we have to wait another year for the explosive second half 😭😭😭
Someone said that in 10 years we’ll be able to trace an entire generation of gays back to Jonathan Bailey’s performance in Dancing Through Life. And they could not be more accurate.
that entire performance is the definition of Cee U Next Tuesday (just read the capital letters) that i would not be shocked should it spawn an entire generation of gays
YES to Jonathan's Fiyero! I fell for him too when I never cared for the role prior! I walked into the movie very doubtful and walked out feeling like I watched the Broadway show for the first time again. Absolutely in awe and thrilled. I also left the theatre as a new Ariana Grande stan. 😂
The Ozdust Ballroom scene had me balling😭😭😭 I keep thinking maybe I was just high, but hearing you say that was your favorite part makes me feel better
My mother's favorite song from the show is "For Good" and she can't even think of the song without crying. You best believe I saw her wiping away tears with every instance of the lietmotif
@@notevenastar I chose "For Good" as my school graduation song, so it's tied to something extremely emotional for us both. I just hope I can see Part 2 with her, given that we live over 1,000 miles apart
Saw it on Saturday, it was spellbinding. Long-time fan here, first heard in 2007, saw in London in 2009. Saw the UK Tour recently. This film was everything and I was crying in the overture it was just so beautiful 💚 and no one mourns the wicked has never gone that hard, it was perfect 💚💚💚 I think it was 500% worth the wait, the visuals alone wouldn't have been what they are if it had been "wicked 2010".
Watching Part 1 in theatres yesterday, I was stunned at how it felt like the newest entry to the canon of beloved movie musicals. Like how Labyrinth is both a cult classic and a family favorite film from the 80s, Wicked felt like a 2020 version and representative of how wonderful movie musicals can be.
Many people have said that as children, they were freaked out over the flying monkeys in the 1939 film; imagine how they might have reacted to the monkeys in this version.
That was me as a young child being scared by the dark elements in the original, The Wizard of Oz. I finally saw Wicked today, it was incredible worthy of all the hype; it was not as dark as the original, but the cruelty/scapegoating might be distressing to the very young kids.
@@tmz85to be fair, a lot of the darker aspects of wicked are in part two. there probably won't be a lot of physical horror, but the theme will definitely be darker
My wife is one of these people - when that scene happened I had to hold her hand through it because I could tell she was reliving some childhood trauma
I saw wicked years ago at the Kennedy Center and loved it. I saw the movie a few days ago and I loved it. I intend to see it again. I cannot wait to see part 2.
I've never been so excited for a movie like I was with this... it's so relieving that it was WELL DONE, and the adaptation was perfect in my opinion. I am now more and more excited for part 2...
Jeff Goldblum is a national treasure!! more importantly, Cynthia and Arianna NAILED IT! i thought the cameos where great, i heard a bit of "somewhere over the rainbow" snuck into some of the muscial motif near the beginning, which was cute. Wicked was truly a Wicked exiperice as someone who has never seen the show however heard the songs, and is a fan of Oz. this made me want to read the book and watch the musical. I honestly cannot wait for next year.
I just saw the play 3 weeks ago in Portland and was absolutely stunned when they ended it at intermission in the movie. Gravity makes me cry not out of sadness but the power of it and delivery just overwhelms me and I sob. Impeccable, delightful and perfection! So happy they were able to pull this off the set design was perfect, total perfection!
I don't know what it is, but somehow, every single choice they made for this adaptation seemed to be perfect. It's like they understood perfectly what to keep, what to make grander, what to add in, and what to leave out.
Great video, as always! Thanks for the work you do for this community. I was particularly impressed with No One Mourns the Wicked. I've always found the first notes of the Broadway recording incredibly powerful, but the arrangement for the movie took it to 11 and I was immediately in tears. Pair that with the set/script choices, how deliberately Ariana moves Glinda through the Munchkinland square, and the attention to featuring her vocals in the final chorus (her "she died alone" in particular) just pierces right through me, every time. I can't stop listening to it on the soundtrack. I also love that Shiz has a dress code, but every piece of clothing is an option for every student of every gender. I wonder if you can spot every possible combination on one extra or another!
Having the story in two parts will also help Universal gauge its viability for an expanded universe. I’d love to see film adaptations of Maguire’s sequels or a miniseries based on his follow up trilogy.
At the end of the film, I had happy tears. I said to my sister, “I have been waiting for this moment for 20 years.” They’ve taken the musical and elevated it for the screen. The entire movie is so clearly a labor of love.
As someone who very much enjoyed the novel and was actually a bit disappointed by the stage play, I really enjoyed this movie and felt like it really did service to the original book with the expanded dialogue and added scenes. The decision to split the movie in two was the right one - the stage play was extremely briskly paced and that would not have worked for a single movie.
I may be alone in this perspective, but I was more impressed by Ariana’s performance. My good Lord, she completely KILLED it. She gave me nuance, comedic timing and emotional performances throughout the entire two. I want her to get the Oscar nomination and win. Like Kristin said, “it’s Glinda’s time.”
SPOILER ALERT....when I saw Idina and Kristin were in the movie (something I had DESPERATELY hoped for) I squeeled like a child, and cried like a baby. KUDOS to all involved in keeping this a secret for so long !
Not only did they absolutely nail part 1 they did it in such way I actually find it a lot more immersive then the stage show which I always find hard to understand what’s happening at some scenes
Breaking into two was a good idea. Film and stage are different mediums, and requires different touches. If it was one long movie, defying gravity would have felt like a false end.
There are a LOT of things that totally blew me out about this movie, but I feel like we don't tak enough about that opening! Like... The little bit of lore in form of text in the begining, giving epic fantasy, then the echoes of Glinda's and the Ozian's lines while the camera pans to the hat. I was already having a physical reaction from all of that when the orchestra hit me right in the face and I was BAWLING! P.S.: PART TWO SPOILER, If there's anyone who happens to not know the plot. I do think the person on the horseback is Elphaba off to meet Fyero.
I was truly surprised at how good it was, even the parts that I had minor qualms with were small enough that it couldn’t override my love. Now just to wait for the extended cut on DVD…
Wicked Pt. 1 works phenomenally as a stand alone movie. If this was the only movie we got, then we would still have a complete film. Wicked 2 will be more like a sequel to the first one, and less as a second part. It helps that the second act runs concurrently with the Wizard of Oz while the first half is pure prequel.
I agree with everything. I, too, am curious about Miss Coddle. Something about her suggest something darker beneath her cheery presentation and I think she'll factor in some darker moments in Part 2.
I actually found the year that Elphaba and Glinda went to college , it was in the year of 1925 . The prequel to the original Wizard of Oz . The show had a lot of references from the original movie . If this Wicked is Popular lar , with in the next 10 years could Wicked becomes a sequel ? The tin woodsman rusts himself with rain for example . Could Dorothy rescue the travelers by deserving rewards from the Wizard of Oz ? I like to see how the past becomes the present one day .
I wasn’t familiar with either lead (I knew Grande was a pop singer but couldn’t name a song and wouldn’t have recognized her). Amazing lead performances-separate and together. I can’t see Elphaba played by a white woman again.
Loved the movie and love this breakdown 💚 fyi the clock of the time dragon was also referenced as a clock at Shiz - just after the wizard and I scene. As a book fan I got a little flutter there 💓
Keep in mind, this is coming from an OG Wicked skeptic that celebrated Avenue Q’s Tony like it was the Super Bowl…I really liked a lot of the movie and am very intrigued by what Part 2 could bring. Erivo was phenomenal, Ari’s work was far more layered than I initially gave her credit for, and they really brought the Animal plot into focus in a way the stage show barely tries. That said, I have to disagree on the Ozdust scene - that silent dance felt about 15 minutes too long by itself. I’m a massive fan of word-less storytelling, but it accomplished its storytelling goals maybe a full 60 seconds faster than they think it did. And the choreography throughout the film felt weirdly hyperactive and intensely subdivided, tho it did make it clear they’re moving in ways that are foreign to our world, so I guess you can say it was effective. On the whole though I very much enjoyed it, and if it becomes the first movie musical to make a billion dollars, it will be worthy of it!
I’ve never read the book or seen the stage show & didn’t know what the story was (I purposefully didn’t watch trailers), I saw the movie on the weekend & thought it was brilliant. I was very surprised by the 2 leads & thought they were amazing. I loved the look and feel of the movie & my favorite scenes were Elohba’s birth, the Prince’s arrival, Popular & the Wizard behind the sheet on the map. One criticism, I think I needed more interaction between Elphaba & the animals. Overall amazing movie.
considering so much effort into promoting this movie and the hype, i think it was a smart choice they split it into two and would make more money that way
I really enjoyed the movie , and never seen the musical or read the book. I was so enthralled that when the movie ended it felt like only a short time had passed. The only criticism I had is with Arianna’s operatic song at the beginning as I couldn’t understand the lyrics - but I like the choice of having her adult voice be different compared to her time at Shiz.
Imagine if cats didn’t swap wicked. We would have a different director, probably different cast, the movie coulda been one part. Curious what woulda happened
I’m looking forward to part to actually have time to tell a good story and hopefully we get a gelphie kiss. There is so much they added in the movie that hints at feelings at the very least from Ariana as Glinda that there is a romantic element to the relationship. And the original show already musically has them having some stuff. Like popular setting up the love theme used in I’m not that girl, what is this feeling being literally being a love song turned into loathing instead. I mean really “what is this feeling so sudden and new my face is blushing my blood is running” it doesn’t get gayer that’s that.
I hadn’t seen the musical before the movie- just read the book and heard the soundtrack. I thought the movie was awesome. It’s been awhile since I read the book, but I remember it being more dark than fun. I’m glad we got this instead of a gloomy tv series though.
As soon as they announced it as two movies, I was relieved. Part 1 is proof that they’re remedying all the issues I have with the stage musical. A big one being: it’s too rushed
Keala Settle ripped a page from Imelda Staunton's "Umbridge". She isn't even British so I don't get the choice. Maybe she thought they were at Hogwarts.
‘Settle was born and raised in Hawaii to a mother from New Zealand and a father from Oldham, England. She told The Guardian in July 2022 that after hearing her parents' accents made fun of as a child, she adjusted her voice to sound American.’ : people.com/keala-settle-defends-using-british-accent-after-moving-to-london-8730082. Accents are fascinating. I think those of us not in the situation don’t get how an accent can naturally adjust based on where we are. Gillian Anderson grew up going back and forth to the States and the UK. She now lives in the UK, usually has a British accent. But when she comes back to the USA for press, her American one comes back. Another example that’s ’Wicked’ related is Willemijn Verkaik. She’s Dutch and when she performed Elphaba on Broadway, she did press in what sounded like an American-North American accent. Then when she did the show in London, her accent changed again. Just something to consider.
As someone who has not seen the stage musical, I loved the movie. I knew some of the songs but never realised defying gravity was just before the interval. At the end of the day they needed to tell the story to normies like me who went in blind and expected cohesive story and not a stage musical disguised as a movie.
I’ve seen the film twice now and, while I admit I’m not the hugest fan of the stage show and last saw it about 15 years ago, I do think the film was incredible (obviously - I’ve seen it twice in one weekend!). I didn’t notice what they added to extend the runtime (again, not the biggest fan) and it really just seemed like what I remembered of the stage show, beat for beat, although there were a few moments that I thought dragged on just a touch too long and could have been edited down a bit. As for the person riding away from the Witch’s Tower at the start of the film, I may be misremembering here, but isn’t that (SPOILERS) (SPOILERS) (SPOILERS) (SPOILERS) Fiyero? Doesn’t he come to get Elphaba after she’s been ‘melted’ so they can run away together?
@ Ooohhhh yeah, totally forgot that bit. He does come back for her at some point though, doesn’t he? Or have I completely made that up? Mandela effect strikes again!
I've got to respectfully disagree with the Ozdust Ballroom scene 😅 - I understand that it's supposed to be a poignant emotional turning point between our two protagonists and needed gravitas, but Elphie and Glinda's "dance exchange" was way too drawn out - it didn't add anything to the scene and I felt like I was stuck in a narcotic parnoid thought loop???
I generally liked the movie. The say some of the songs are "extended" didn't work for me, though. "What is this feeling" is the best example of it. The two bars or so of instrumental in the cafeteria was fine, not too intrusive, but the mini montage at the end right before the boo went on about a half-bar too long, dislodging the rhymic punctuation of the scare. The very end of Defying Gravity also had that, though I don't have a good solution around it.
I have seen wicked pt 1 twice now, and I think every minute of screentime was necessary. While it is long, it did extra set up that is needed to make pt 2 transcend the original second act, and all of the stuff with Elphaba's childhood is so beautiful. All of the additions to me are transcendant and make the text richer than act 1 of the stage musical.
To follow up on my original comment from this morning. Giving wicked pt 1 the room to breathe instead of trying to cram it all into one film produced the greatest movie musical I’ve ever seen
Doesn’t Nessa get healed in Act ll by Elphaba? Just to know how they will depict this, given the actress who portrays Nessa uses a wheelchair in real life. CGI?
It was from the initial teaser that came out in February. I think a lot of people were wondering why she was in the trailer, confused if that was in one or part two.
Seen the film twice. (IMAX and VIP). Never read the novel or seen the play. With this in mind, I enjoyed it, but found it lacking in several areas, so ended up a tad disappointed. Still, 8/10.
Beautiful singing. Did not disappoint. Get the album and wait until the movie is on Hulu or something. Way too long for no reason I could understand. If it’s going to be this long, it should’ve been a miniseries with the addition of whatever part two is going to be. Will get nominations for set design and probably cinematography. As a professional Hair and Makeup Artist I thought the makeup was great, but the hair/wigs were meh. Very very Disney YA-ish, but the performances were on par with the best of Broadway. Which is probably because they had Broadway performers. Trying to do a show of this caliber with people who are not Broadway experienced would be another fiasco like La La Land. IMO (by the way, while I am a pro HMUA now I was previously a singer actress dancer, in NYC. Never made it to Broadway, but I did off Broadway and touring companies. So I have a little experience on both sides of the camera.. 😉)
I disgree, personally, with for former part of your comment. I didn't even feel the runtime to be honest. In fact, I'll most likely watch it again tomorrow. It's so grand on the screen and the music hits much harder then I was expecting. I was taken aback, especially during No One Mourns the Wicked. Worth every penny for me. I wish I could replicate that experience at home but I don't think I'll be able to. The atmosphere was also incredible, everyone laughed and cried at my screening
the argument that defying gravity absolutely needs a break afterwards is fascinating to me, as if we hadn't spent the past 11 years hearing Let It Go be compared to it (for valid reasons IMO) and that song stands perfectly fine where it does in the middle of Frozen. You can give the audience a break in the form of pacing, you don't need an actual curtain and intermission lol
Can’t say I agree with your “Les Miserable” take. I don’t know why stage-stans get so twisted about the musical performances in Les Miserable. The movie adapted people who could not sing as well BECAUSE they didn’t need/want them to. The “wailing” quality some (Russell Crowe) are accused of is part of the story. These aren’t professional singers NECESSARILY. They are regular people crying out to God, into the void or at themselves. Their hurt and stressed voices are a reflection of their state in life or more likely the state of their souls (it is a Catholic work after all). It was first a book about people/peasants before it was a musical.
The hobbit at 3 films made sense because there was so much thats they enhanced and added to the experience, Wicked slowed down the first act and added nothing that could have enhanced the world. I wanted more from the books that really explains more. Big disappointment for me at the theaters
Am I the only one who hated the choreography? The cinematography makes up for it, but just squatting, stomping and thrusting felt one-note after 3 hours.
You’re not alone. But *a lot* of people online have been performing the choreo on tik tok this weekend so it’s taking. It’s more contemporary/modern than a lot of ‘music theatre choreo’ but actually feels very aligned with Wayne Cilento’s original work on ‘Wicked’. Based on the material, he determined it needed something a bit edgier than five six seven eight vibes. Personally (quite literally) a number like ‘What is this feeling’ slaps so hard and I find the frenetic work thrilling. Loved the way it was captured on camera.
@StagedRight I will concede to the experts on this. But I really, really wanted a close-up of a twirl or a fan kick during Dancing Through Life. (Y'know... the thing you can't actually afford to see in real life on Broadway without selling your kidneys.) I think I wanted to be inspired and instead, I got relatable, marketable content that was created to be easy to replicate. As a marketing professional, I am paying attention. As a theatre lover, I was bored with it.
Okay. One change I realized they needed here was giving Elphaba a desire to fly in the very beginning of the film. Without that, her flying in the end wasn't as satisfactory to me. It didn't make me cry. Personally, I cry in movies when characters realize their dreams, but Elphaba's dream (to be accepted, to not be green anymore) was never realized in this movie. If they gave her a little hint of desire to fly, it would have been an emotionally satisfying moment, rather than it just being a necessity for escape from the Wizard's guards.
(( SPOILERS )) IMO the metaphor of defying gravity still works even without the mention of flying because defying gravity for elphaba is more than just the literal act of leaving the ground. IMO defying gravity is about her recognising that by achieving her dreams via siding with the wizard, it oppresses a minority group the same way she has been oppressed all of her life. She CAN’T want her dream of being accepted and changed any longer because receiving it from the wizard goes against everything she believes ideologically. She recognises that she can be strong enough to defy the same powers that have kept her oppressed/grounded on her own and she takes her dreams and life into her own hands.
@bestandonlywaifu3947 while your take is the smarter take, I still think that as a narrative film, the flying should have been a little literal resolution than a metaphorical one.
Nah. Not necessary. They did show her desire to fly during wizard and I with the leap. Anymore would have been too obvious and would turn it to a Nickelodeon afternoon special of some sort.
3:41 - Please post a correction. Winnie Holzman did not write the Musical’s book. She Gregory Maguire wrote the book, a series of books actually. Winnie then ADAPTED the first book as a playwright. She never released a book, ever.
Regardless of the IP, ‘Wicked’ has been running on Broadway for more than 20 years with a majority of adults in the audience. So, not really intended for mostly kids. Also, the ‘sexual energy’ is harmless. Fiyero is sexual and objectively viewed in the show. And compared to the content of the book, this is squeaky clean.
Loved loved loved the choreo! It's anti the usual cliche musical-theater-tired-old-generic moves. Lol It was fresh, modern and effective to all the story beats.
@@eyesproket You don't need to move on EVERY beat. Glad you liked it. I laughed out loud at some of those moves- and the over-the- top extras trying to do too much at every possible opportunity.
Jeff Goldblum just plays Jeff Goldblum but you dont hire Jeff Goldblum to play something that is not Jeff Goldblum, so I'm very happy knowing that Jeff Goldblum was the wizard, that he did a very good Jeff Goldblum with the role.
I never doubted Part 1 would be succesful because it is everyone's favorite act of Wicked. Most people dont even remember key story parts of act 2. My concern is how Part 2 will tackle the not enviable task of retelling The Wizard of Oz, Disney's Maleficient Style, while not infringing copyright. We already have the silver slippers from the musica but will we ever meet Dorothy? Will she sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow? Non-Wicked fans will expect that and actual Wicked fans will probably be less enthused to see the second part of a play when their favorite half is already done. For Good is the only song everyone remembers form Act 2 so even in the music side we will see less enthusiasm. Act 2 doesnt have a Popular (the very first hit of Ariana Grande's music career) under their sleeve.
This might just be me, but I've always found act 2 thrilling. No Good Deed might be my favourite song in the whole show. Thank Goodness is also top tier. As Long As You're Mine is electric when performed well. I think act 2 will stand on its own beautifully. I also don't think anyone is going to be expecting Somewhere Over the Rainbow in a prequel retelling of The Wizard of Oz. Though the movies have more license to use things from The Wizard of Oz movie than the stage show does.
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I was fully skeptical of the decision to split Wicked into two parts, especially after seeing the run time, but I'm more than willing to admit I was dead wrong!!! Wicked Part 1 is a triumph, and the fastest two and a half hours of my life. The film was so well-paced, vibrant, and stunning. I couldn't look away from the screen the entire time. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out, and I'm so excited for Part 2!!!!
Absolutely agree!!! I was “oh god another oh we need two parts like twilight that was not needed”. Nope. 2 parts is so essential based on part 1 alone
Me, too! ❤
Cynthia's interpretation of Elphaba is THE standout for me in a movie full of amazing performances and craftsmanship. I cannot wait to see what she brings to the rest of her material.
She's so good that the Oz dust ballroom scene will probably be enough for Oscar voters to give her the Oscar. There's no doubt that she has more in her in part too. But it's safe to say that the standing ovation this film had received is giving it clear front runner status. I can see this winning a lucky number 13 awards. Maybe, we'll see what happens, but for now it's a front runner.
Find this comment v much funny, kinda like how Kristin was favored to be the standout but Idina Menzel really stood out. I’d say more ppl were ariane favored here but all 4 women are amazing just history repeatin
@@AntsTheaterCorner2698 I find it baffling that Oscar predictors are not predicting her. She had the most emotional scenes and had one of the best performances of the year.
Hopefully not. She can't sing, can't act, and can't even dance a little.
I'll never forget the look of pure betrayal and hurt and disgust in her eyes when she finds out what the Wizard and Morrible really doing. Truly heartbreaking.
I'm glad they went with Jon M Chu. I think his more bombastic style fits much more perfectly with the universe of wicked.
and yet the wizard and i and im not that girl was the most boringly staged and lit
@@12345678abracadabra The Wizard and I was all right. I liked the kaleidoscope effect. But yeah, I'm Not That Girl was very high school production.
@@12345678abracadabra yeah it was boring 😂
@@12345678abracadabraactually those 2 gave one a chance to breathe imo and they knew for those two songs the songs themselves are the most important part. I personally thought his holding back with these two showed a great maturity as a director. Not every song needs to be bombastic imo.
I found both The Wizard and I and I'm Not That Girl to be highly focused and very rewarding performances. I found their staging to support what the performer and the song itself were bringing. Elphaba defensively cautiously restrains her emotions throughout her life and the show. In The Wizard and I we got to see what the child Elphpaba is like when no one else was watching. She allowed herself to indulge and play in hope in this number. That was clearly evoked. I'm Not That Girl - the resignation and lack of self pity in this number was heartbreaking. Basically, if the song works and does what it's supposed to do, don't distract from it or overlay your own creative interpretation: just place it in a space where it can breathe and leave it alone.
The casting was perfection: Ariana was born to play Glinda and her comedic yet heartfelt performance was impeccable! 💖Cynthia really brought the heart , depth & range needed to portray Elphaba…every time she was on the screen I was emotionally invested💚The cinematography, choreography, costumes, score, script & overall direction was MAGNIFICENT. I’m so happy my favorite musical has been adapted by people who CARE & LOVE the material!!!! 💚💖💚🧹. My only disappointment is that we have to wait another year for the explosive second half 😭😭😭
Someone said that in 10 years we’ll be able to trace an entire generation of gays back to Jonathan Bailey’s performance in Dancing Through Life. And they could not be more accurate.
I wish he could have been my gay awakening lol
that entire performance was so particularly slutty (loved it) i would NOT be shocked if an entire generation managed to just come from it alone
that entire performance is the definition of Cee U Next Tuesday (just read the capital letters) that i would not be shocked should it spawn an entire generation of gays
@@akiyori your comment is the definition of a bigoted C U next tuesday
There was a whole shot of his ass and legs laying on a table. They knew what was up.
YES to Jonathan's Fiyero! I fell for him too when I never cared for the role prior! I walked into the movie very doubtful and walked out feeling like I watched the Broadway show for the first time again. Absolutely in awe and thrilled. I also left the theatre as a new Ariana Grande stan. 😂
The Ozdust Ballroom scene had me balling😭😭😭
I keep thinking maybe I was just high, but hearing you say that was your favorite part makes me feel better
Yesss, I wept like a baby during that scene.
No bc I was two drinks deep at that point and BAWLING
@@theboringkaren I wish my girlfriend would come and see it with me
don't worry i flooded the cinema with tears during that scene
You were BALLING during that scene? They let you bring balls into the theater?
The For Good leitmotifs had me in TEARS.
My mother's favorite song from the show is "For Good" and she can't even think of the song without crying. You best believe I saw her wiping away tears with every instance of the lietmotif
@ That is so beautiful. I’m so happy you got to see it with her. UGH. My heart 🥺
@@notevenastar I chose "For Good" as my school graduation song, so it's tied to something extremely emotional for us both. I just hope I can see Part 2 with her, given that we live over 1,000 miles apart
Their “good” is not good
Saw it on Saturday, it was spellbinding. Long-time fan here, first heard in 2007, saw in London in 2009. Saw the UK Tour recently. This film was everything and I was crying in the overture it was just so beautiful 💚 and no one mourns the wicked has never gone that hard, it was perfect 💚💚💚 I think it was 500% worth the wait, the visuals alone wouldn't have been what they are if it had been "wicked 2010".
Watching Part 1 in theatres yesterday, I was stunned at how it felt like the newest entry to the canon of beloved movie musicals. Like how Labyrinth is both a cult classic and a family favorite film from the 80s, Wicked felt like a 2020 version and representative of how wonderful movie musicals can be.
I was so happy to see a musical get THIS much money thrown at it. Most of them for the past decade or so have felt like the studio hedging its bets
While Labyrinth became a cult classic, it was an abysmal box office flop. Wicked is not. Wicked is going past a billion
Many people have said that as children, they were freaked out over the flying monkeys in the 1939 film; imagine how they might have reacted to the monkeys in this version.
That was me as a young child being scared by the dark elements in the original, The Wizard of Oz. I finally saw Wicked today, it was incredible worthy of all the hype; it was not as dark as the original, but the cruelty/scapegoating might be distressing to the very young kids.
@@tmz85to be fair, a lot of the darker aspects of wicked are in part two. there probably won't be a lot of physical horror, but the theme will definitely be darker
My wife is one of these people - when that scene happened I had to hold her hand through it because I could tell she was reliving some childhood trauma
I saw wicked years ago at the Kennedy Center and loved it. I saw the movie a few days ago and I loved it. I intend to see it again. I cannot wait to see part 2.
I wouldn't expect anything less but an amazing movie from the director responsible for the wedding scene at Crazy Rich Asians.
I cannot wait for For Good. That song kills me and cynthias voice is so beautiful i know im gonna bawl my eyes out
I've never been so excited for a movie like I was with this... it's so relieving that it was WELL DONE, and the adaptation was perfect in my opinion. I am now more and more excited for part 2...
I love that you ABSOLUTELY know what you’re talking about, or that at the very least, you actually made your research!
Jeff Goldblum is a national treasure!! more importantly, Cynthia and Arianna NAILED IT! i thought the cameos where great, i heard a bit of "somewhere over the rainbow" snuck into some of the muscial motif near the beginning, which was cute. Wicked was truly a Wicked exiperice as someone who has never seen the show however heard the songs, and is a fan of Oz. this made me want to read the book and watch the musical. I honestly cannot wait for next year.
The first three notes of Somewhere Over the Rainbow are the notes sung by Elphaba: “unlimited.”
@@kenjones3551 yup.
Saw this movie twice already- and still cried at defying gravity. Such an ode to the fans
I just saw the play 3 weeks ago in Portland and was absolutely stunned when they ended it at intermission in the movie. Gravity makes me cry not out of sadness but the power of it and delivery just overwhelms me and I sob. Impeccable, delightful and perfection! So happy they were able to pull this off the set design was perfect, total perfection!
I don't know what it is, but somehow, every single choice they made for this adaptation seemed to be perfect. It's like they understood perfectly what to keep, what to make grander, what to add in, and what to leave out.
Great video, as always! Thanks for the work you do for this community.
I was particularly impressed with No One Mourns the Wicked. I've always found the first notes of the Broadway recording incredibly powerful, but the arrangement for the movie took it to 11 and I was immediately in tears. Pair that with the set/script choices, how deliberately Ariana moves Glinda through the Munchkinland square, and the attention to featuring her vocals in the final chorus (her "she died alone" in particular) just pierces right through me, every time. I can't stop listening to it on the soundtrack.
I also love that Shiz has a dress code, but every piece of clothing is an option for every student of every gender. I wonder if you can spot every possible combination on one extra or another!
Having the story in two parts will also help Universal gauge its viability for an expanded universe. I’d love to see film adaptations of Maguire’s sequels or a miniseries based on his follow up trilogy.
At the end of the film, I had happy tears. I said to my sister, “I have been waiting for this moment for 20 years.” They’ve taken the musical and elevated it for the screen. The entire movie is so clearly a labor of love.
Still firmly believe wicked pt 2 expands on oz lore and we will have a WCU
16:40 - I also noticed the old crest being unearthed and was wowed by that small detail. John Chu is a genius.
I’m most looking forward to how they expand between each song in part 2. In the musical it all seems to happen so fast that some of it loses impact.
As someone who very much enjoyed the novel and was actually a bit disappointed by the stage play, I really enjoyed this movie and felt like it really did service to the original book with the expanded dialogue and added scenes. The decision to split the movie in two was the right one - the stage play was extremely briskly paced and that would not have worked for a single movie.
This was the best movie ever! I can’t wait to see it again!
I may be alone in this perspective, but I was more impressed by Ariana’s performance. My good Lord, she completely KILLED it. She gave me nuance, comedic timing and emotional performances throughout the entire two. I want her to get the Oscar nomination and win. Like Kristin said, “it’s Glinda’s time.”
Bowen Yang at the end is truly the cherry on top 😂😂😂
SPOILER ALERT....when I saw Idina and Kristin were in the movie (something I had DESPERATELY hoped for) I squeeled like a child, and cried like a baby. KUDOS to all involved in keeping this a secret for so long !
Not only did they absolutely nail part 1 they did it in such way I actually find it a lot more immersive then the stage show which I always find hard to understand what’s happening at some scenes
You're really, really thick. They literally sing what's happening.
@ not all the time there’s many scenes in which its way to dark to see what’s happening
Breaking into two was a good idea. Film and stage are different mediums, and requires different touches. If it was one long movie, defying gravity would have felt like a false end.
ive been waiting for this one😭😭
There are a LOT of things that totally blew me out about this movie, but I feel like we don't tak enough about that opening! Like... The little bit of lore in form of text in the begining, giving epic fantasy, then the echoes of Glinda's and the Ozian's lines while the camera pans to the hat. I was already having a physical reaction from all of that when the orchestra hit me right in the face and I was BAWLING!
P.S.: PART TWO SPOILER, If there's anyone who happens to not know the plot.
I do think the person on the horseback is Elphaba off to meet Fyero.
I was truly surprised at how good it was, even the parts that I had minor qualms with were small enough that it couldn’t override my love. Now just to wait for the extended cut on DVD…
Wicked Pt. 1 works phenomenally as a stand alone movie. If this was the only movie we got, then we would still have a complete film. Wicked 2 will be more like a sequel to the first one, and less as a second part. It helps that the second act runs concurrently with the Wizard of Oz while the first half is pure prequel.
I agree with everything. I, too, am curious about Miss Coddle. Something about her suggest something darker beneath her cheery presentation and I think she'll factor in some darker moments in Part 2.
I also wonder why they would cast such a talented singer and have her in a minor role!
@@mariaelenamattone5221 Part 2 will have new songs so its possible she could factor into at least one of them
Yackle?? 🤔 If the clock of the Time Dragon comes back.....
Wait I was literally sitting at the front of the theatre in your shot of the premiere 😂😂😂 im one row below tho so you can’t see me.
people often forget Ariana started on broadway and with acting, everyone was amazing!
I actually found the year that Elphaba and Glinda went to college , it was in the year of 1925 . The prequel to the original Wizard of Oz . The show had a lot of references from the original movie . If this Wicked is Popular lar , with in the next 10 years could Wicked becomes a sequel ? The tin woodsman rusts himself with rain for example . Could Dorothy rescue the travelers by deserving rewards from the Wizard of Oz ? I like to see how the past becomes the present one day .
I wasn’t familiar with either lead (I knew Grande was a pop singer but couldn’t name a song and wouldn’t have recognized her). Amazing lead performances-separate and together. I can’t see Elphaba played by a white woman again.
Yeah, this is a Cinematography oscar right here.
Loved the movie and love this breakdown 💚 fyi the clock of the time dragon was also referenced as a clock at Shiz - just after the wizard and I scene. As a book fan I got a little flutter there 💓
👀👀👀
Keep in mind, this is coming from an OG Wicked skeptic that celebrated Avenue Q’s Tony like it was the Super Bowl…I really liked a lot of the movie and am very intrigued by what Part 2 could bring. Erivo was phenomenal, Ari’s work was far more layered than I initially gave her credit for, and they really brought the Animal plot into focus in a way the stage show barely tries. That said, I have to disagree on the Ozdust scene - that silent dance felt about 15 minutes too long by itself. I’m a massive fan of word-less storytelling, but it accomplished its storytelling goals maybe a full 60 seconds faster than they think it did. And the choreography throughout the film felt weirdly hyperactive and intensely subdivided, tho it did make it clear they’re moving in ways that are foreign to our world, so I guess you can say it was effective.
On the whole though I very much enjoyed it, and if it becomes the first movie musical to make a billion dollars, it will be worthy of it!
"...weirdly hyperactive and intensely subdivided" = all movie choreography these days!
The Ozdust scene WAS too long.
I’ve never read the book or seen the stage show & didn’t know what the story was (I purposefully didn’t watch trailers), I saw the movie on the weekend & thought it was brilliant. I was very surprised by the 2 leads & thought they were amazing. I loved the look and feel of the movie & my favorite scenes were Elohba’s birth, the Prince’s arrival, Popular & the Wizard behind the sheet on the map. One criticism, I think I needed more interaction between Elphaba & the animals.
Overall amazing movie.
considering so much effort into promoting this movie and the hype, i think it was a smart choice they split it into two and would make more money that way
I love that they got John Powell to work on the score. After all, who scores flying scenes better than he does?
Was it worth the wait? YES.
The one in the horse might be Elphaba riding Fiyero’s horse, escaping through Fiyero’s help.
I’m really looking forward towards crying during “For Good” in the next film 😊
I like that it was long. I could've watched it for 4 hours.
I really enjoyed the movie , and never seen the musical or read the book. I was so enthralled that when the movie ended it felt like only a short time had passed. The only criticism I had is with Arianna’s operatic song at the beginning as I couldn’t understand the lyrics - but I like the choice of having her adult voice be different compared to her time at Shiz.
I took myself to see it and Wicked the movie is Phenomenal
I still loved Cats and had seen it 3 times. I get it that everyone hates it. But man I loved it.
Imagine if cats didn’t swap wicked. We would have a different director, probably different cast, the movie coulda been one part. Curious what woulda happened
It was AMAZING and I wanna see again. Maybe in 3D
16:20 Thank Oz we didn't get James Corden, or it would've been such a joke
I’m see old wicked in the new wicked and all of them is my favorite part and wait part 2 of wicked
I think Wicked needed to be two parts and The Hunger Games Mockingjay also needed to be two parts. those movies were great
Worth the price of the ticket and then some!!! If you haven’t gotten to see the play life… the price of the movie ticket is a STEAL!
I have to go see it again!
I’m looking forward to part to actually have time to tell a good story and hopefully we get a gelphie kiss. There is so much they added in the movie that hints at feelings at the very least from Ariana as Glinda that there is a romantic element to the relationship. And the original show already musically has them having some stuff. Like popular setting up the love theme used in I’m not that girl, what is this feeling being literally being a love song turned into loathing instead. I mean really “what is this feeling so sudden and new my face is blushing my blood is running” it doesn’t get gayer that’s that.
It's been so long since I read the book which I thought was very clever. I also loved the musical. Glad they did it well.
I hadn’t seen the musical before the movie- just read the book and heard the soundtrack. I thought the movie was awesome. It’s been awhile since I read the book, but I remember it being more dark than fun. I’m glad we got this instead of a gloomy tv series though.
We see a shot of a clock with a metal dragon wrapped around it after Popular. Not sure if there will be more on the time dragon clock.
Omg I was right that you could hear For Good in there! I thought I was stretching 😂
As soon as they announced it as two movies, I was relieved. Part 1 is proof that they’re remedying all the issues I have with the stage musical. A big one being: it’s too rushed
I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I got the song stuck in my😊 and this is what the reason is closing clothing
Keala Settle ripped a page from Imelda Staunton's "Umbridge". She isn't even British so I don't get the choice. Maybe she thought they were at Hogwarts.
‘Settle was born and raised in Hawaii to a mother from New Zealand and a father from Oldham, England. She told The Guardian in July 2022 that after hearing her parents' accents made fun of as a child, she adjusted her voice to sound American.’ : people.com/keala-settle-defends-using-british-accent-after-moving-to-london-8730082.
Accents are fascinating. I think those of us not in the situation don’t get how an accent can naturally adjust based on where we are. Gillian Anderson grew up going back and forth to the States and the UK. She now lives in the UK, usually has a British accent. But when she comes back to the USA for press, her American one comes back.
Another example that’s ’Wicked’ related is Willemijn Verkaik. She’s Dutch and when she performed Elphaba on Broadway, she did press in what sounded like an American-North American accent. Then when she did the show in London, her accent changed again.
Just something to consider.
As someone who has not seen the stage musical, I loved the movie. I knew some of the songs but never realised defying gravity was just before the interval.
At the end of the day they needed to tell the story to normies like me who went in blind and expected cohesive story and not a stage musical disguised as a movie.
I’ve seen the film twice now and, while I admit I’m not the hugest fan of the stage show and last saw it about 15 years ago, I do think the film was incredible (obviously - I’ve seen it twice in one weekend!). I didn’t notice what they added to extend the runtime (again, not the biggest fan) and it really just seemed like what I remembered of the stage show, beat for beat, although there were a few moments that I thought dragged on just a touch too long and could have been edited down a bit.
As for the person riding away from the Witch’s Tower at the start of the film, I may be misremembering here, but isn’t that (SPOILERS)
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Fiyero? Doesn’t he come to get Elphaba after she’s been ‘melted’ so they can run away together?
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He’s the scarecrow and he’s walking with the gang up the road just a few moments later.
@ Ooohhhh yeah, totally forgot that bit. He does come back for her at some point though, doesn’t he? Or have I completely made that up? Mandela effect strikes again!
@ All good! We’ll have to see. X
I've got to respectfully disagree with the Ozdust Ballroom scene 😅 - I understand that it's supposed to be a poignant emotional turning point between our two protagonists and needed gravitas, but Elphie and Glinda's "dance exchange" was way too drawn out - it didn't add anything to the scene and I felt like I was stuck in a narcotic parnoid thought loop???
What I most appreciated was that you *respectively* disagreed. There’s definitely people who are not receptive to how it plays, so you’re not alone. X
"The Jeff Goldblum of it all" 😆 Exactly. You just have to let go and let Goldblum.
I generally liked the movie. The say some of the songs are "extended" didn't work for me, though. "What is this feeling" is the best example of it. The two bars or so of instrumental in the cafeteria was fine, not too intrusive, but the mini montage at the end right before the boo went on about a half-bar too long, dislodging the rhymic punctuation of the scare. The very end of Defying Gravity also had that, though I don't have a good solution around it.
I have seen wicked pt 1 twice now, and I think every minute of screentime was necessary. While it is long, it did extra set up that is needed to make pt 2 transcend the original second act, and all of the stuff with Elphaba's childhood is so beautiful. All of the additions to me are transcendant and make the text richer than act 1 of the stage musical.
To follow up on my original comment from this morning. Giving wicked pt 1 the room to breathe instead of trying to cram it all into one film produced the greatest movie musical I’ve ever seen
Cats.....commercially viable...
In the clips of the show when you discuss recently seeing it again there is a gorgeous boy playing Fyero. Any idea who he is, please?
I believe that’s Ashley Parker Angel.
it is Jonathan Bailey (from Bridgerton as Anthony)
What is the last ten seconds of the video from 💀
Doesn’t Nessa get healed in Act ll by Elphaba? Just to know how they will depict this, given the actress who portrays Nessa uses a wheelchair in real life. CGI?
Body double, maybe?
(15:01) How are we still pronouncing Michelle Yeoh’s last name incorrectly at this stage in her career ?🤔😄
21:01 Where is that clip of Dorothy and the gang?
It was from the initial teaser that came out in February. I think a lot of people were wondering why she was in the trailer, confused if that was in one or part two.
Seen the film twice. (IMAX and VIP). Never read the novel or seen the play. With this in mind, I enjoyed it, but found it lacking in several areas, so ended up a tad disappointed. Still, 8/10.
My favourite interpretation is Fiyero's sexuality is "yes."
Beautiful singing. Did not disappoint. Get the album and wait until the movie is on Hulu or something. Way too long for no reason I could understand. If it’s going to be this long, it should’ve been a miniseries with the addition of whatever part two is going to be. Will get nominations for set design and probably cinematography. As a professional Hair and Makeup Artist I thought the makeup was great, but the hair/wigs were meh. Very very Disney YA-ish, but the performances were on par with the best of Broadway. Which is probably because they had Broadway performers. Trying to do a show of this caliber with people who are not Broadway experienced would be another fiasco like La La Land. IMO (by the way, while I am a pro HMUA now I was previously a singer actress dancer, in NYC. Never made it to Broadway, but I did off Broadway and touring companies. So I have a little experience on both sides of the camera.. 😉)
I disgree, personally, with for former part of your comment. I didn't even feel the runtime to be honest. In fact, I'll most likely watch it again tomorrow. It's so grand on the screen and the music hits much harder then I was expecting. I was taken aback, especially during No One Mourns the Wicked. Worth every penny for me. I wish I could replicate that experience at home but I don't think I'll be able to. The atmosphere was also incredible, everyone laughed and cried at my screening
the argument that defying gravity absolutely needs a break afterwards is fascinating to me, as if we hadn't spent the past 11 years hearing Let It Go be compared to it (for valid reasons IMO) and that song stands perfectly fine where it does in the middle of Frozen. You can give the audience a break in the form of pacing, you don't need an actual curtain and intermission lol
That was an excellent movie and I am not a fan of musicals
Can’t say I agree with your “Les Miserable” take. I don’t know why stage-stans get so twisted about the musical performances in Les Miserable. The movie adapted people who could not sing as well BECAUSE they didn’t need/want them to. The “wailing” quality some (Russell Crowe) are accused of is part of the story. These aren’t professional singers NECESSARILY. They are regular people crying out to God, into the void or at themselves. Their hurt and stressed voices are a reflection of their state in life or more likely the state of their souls (it is a Catholic work after all).
It was first a book about people/peasants before it was a musical.
The hobbit at 3 films made sense because there was so much thats they enhanced and added to the experience, Wicked slowed down the first act and added nothing that could have enhanced the world. I wanted more from the books that really explains more. Big disappointment for me at the theaters
Yes how could we ever doubt you daddy Bailey lol
Am I the only one who hated the choreography? The cinematography makes up for it, but just squatting, stomping and thrusting felt one-note after 3 hours.
You’re not alone. But *a lot* of people online have been performing the choreo on tik tok this weekend so it’s taking. It’s more contemporary/modern than a lot of ‘music theatre choreo’ but actually feels very aligned with Wayne Cilento’s original work on ‘Wicked’. Based on the material, he determined it needed something a bit edgier than five six seven eight vibes. Personally (quite literally) a number like ‘What is this feeling’ slaps so hard and I find the frenetic work thrilling. Loved the way it was captured on camera.
@StagedRight I will concede to the experts on this. But I really, really wanted a close-up of a twirl or a fan kick during Dancing Through Life. (Y'know... the thing you can't actually afford to see in real life on Broadway without selling your kidneys.) I think I wanted to be inspired and instead, I got relatable, marketable content that was created to be easy to replicate. As a marketing professional, I am paying attention. As a theatre lover, I was bored with it.
The most boring movie I have ever seen .
Okay. One change I realized they needed here was giving Elphaba a desire to fly in the very beginning of the film. Without that, her flying in the end wasn't as satisfactory to me. It didn't make me cry.
Personally, I cry in movies when characters realize their dreams, but Elphaba's dream (to be accepted, to not be green anymore) was never realized in this movie. If they gave her a little hint of desire to fly, it would have been an emotionally satisfying moment, rather than it just being a necessity for escape from the Wizard's guards.
(( SPOILERS )) IMO the metaphor of defying gravity still works even without the mention of flying because defying gravity for elphaba is more than just the literal act of leaving the ground.
IMO defying gravity is about her recognising that by achieving her dreams via siding with the wizard, it oppresses a minority group the same way she has been oppressed all of her life. She CAN’T want her dream of being accepted and changed any longer because receiving it from the wizard goes against everything she believes ideologically. She recognises that she can be strong enough to defy the same powers that have kept her oppressed/grounded on her own and she takes her dreams and life into her own hands.
@bestandonlywaifu3947 while your take is the smarter take, I still think that as a narrative film, the flying should have been a little literal resolution than a metaphorical one.
Nah. Not necessary.
They did show her desire to fly during wizard and I with the leap. Anymore would have been too obvious and would turn it to a Nickelodeon afternoon special of some sort.
5th!
3:41 - Please post a correction. Winnie Holzman did not write the Musical’s book. She
Gregory Maguire wrote the book, a series of books actually. Winnie then ADAPTED the first book as a playwright. She never released a book, ever.
Musical scripts are called ‘books’ in our industry. Book by Winnie Holzman stands.
@@StagedRightwhat he said
I don't get why we need sexual energy in this movie. It is intended mostly for kids.
Regardless of the IP, ‘Wicked’ has been running on Broadway for more than 20 years with a majority of adults in the audience. So, not really intended for mostly kids. Also, the ‘sexual energy’ is harmless. Fiyero is sexual and objectively viewed in the show. And compared to the content of the book, this is squeaky clean.
I guess u never saw wicked the play and your comment is based on the wizard of oz. The play is definitely at least pg-13 and deals with adult themes.
The choreography is HORRENDOUS.
Loved loved loved the choreo! It's anti the usual cliche musical-theater-tired-old-generic moves. Lol
It was fresh, modern and effective to all the story beats.
@@eyesproket You don't need to move on EVERY beat. Glad you liked it. I laughed out loud at some of those moves- and the over-the- top extras trying to do too much at every possible opportunity.
Have you seen the show?
@@StagedRight of course. Many times.
Jeff Goldblum just plays Jeff Goldblum but you dont hire Jeff Goldblum to play something that is not Jeff Goldblum, so I'm very happy knowing that Jeff Goldblum was the wizard, that he did a very good Jeff Goldblum with the role.
I never doubted Part 1 would be succesful because it is everyone's favorite act of Wicked. Most people dont even remember key story parts of act 2. My concern is how Part 2 will tackle the not enviable task of retelling The Wizard of Oz, Disney's Maleficient Style, while not infringing copyright. We already have the silver slippers from the musica but will we ever meet Dorothy? Will she sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow? Non-Wicked fans will expect that and actual Wicked fans will probably be less enthused to see the second part of a play when their favorite half is already done. For Good is the only song everyone remembers form Act 2 so even in the music side we will see less enthusiasm. Act 2 doesnt have a Popular (the very first hit of Ariana Grande's music career) under their sleeve.
This might just be me, but I've always found act 2 thrilling. No Good Deed might be my favourite song in the whole show. Thank Goodness is also top tier. As Long As You're Mine is electric when performed well. I think act 2 will stand on its own beautifully.
I also don't think anyone is going to be expecting Somewhere Over the Rainbow in a prequel retelling of The Wizard of Oz. Though the movies have more license to use things from The Wizard of Oz movie than the stage show does.