The big joke about the film Titanic is that it was so popular despite everyone knowing how it was going to end. Well, everyone has seen The Wizard of Oz, so we all know the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba) is going down, but the story behind the story is no less riveting, and director Jon Chu delivers an epic tale.
This sequel picks up some time after the end of last year’s Wicked. Elphaba is now the Wicked Witch and is reviled all over Oz. This, despite the fact that she is actually trying to do good, and protect the speaking Animals who the Wizard of Oz has made scapegoats and targets for Oz’s human citizens. Everything Elphaba tries to do, the Wizard and his crony Morrible twists to appear to be evil. Glinda, now ensconced as a figurehead/spewer of propaganda by the Wizard as Glinda the Good, goes around praising the Wizard and keeping people happy. An eternal optimist, he sees her work as good, encouraging Oz’s citizens, while secretly hoping that Elphaba will have a change of heart and join the Wizard. Elphaba’s sister Nessa has become the new governor of Munchkinland after the death of their father, and she has become cruel, hoarding her power and commanding those under her, especially munchkin Boq, whom Nessa thinks loves her, though he still only has eyes for Glinda. Fiyero is still in the mix too; he’s been dating Glinda because he cares for her happiness, but still carries a flame for Elphaba too, though he lacks the courage to stand against the Wizard as she has. Into this maelstrom comes Dorothy, who really is just a side character in the grander battle between Elphaba and the Wizard, but Dorothy becomes the catalyst that sets everything on its course.
The film does a great job of staying true to original film/story, while delving into the backstory and the development of all of its characters. There’s plenty of hints of how it all would fit together too. Some great songs (though personally, the bangers were all in the first film). Definitely a darker film than the first, with less laughs and more emotion. There’s enough scary moments that small children may be frightened, though a couple 5-7 year olds in our theater seemed just fine. Overall, an exhilarating film and a must-see for musical fans like myself. ★★★★
- TV series recently watched: The Terminal List: Dark Wolf (series), The Girlfriend (season 1), ST Voyager (season 3), Devil in Disguise (series), Stargate SG1 (season 1)
- Book currently reading: Sandworms of Dune by Herbert & Anderson
Jons Movie Takes 