I THINK I’LL TRY DEFYING GRAVITY

I loved every minute of this movie. I was a bit skeptical at first. There’s always a chance that a movie based on a Broadway show will fall short (Cats anyone?). However, this movie proved me wrong in the best way. The songs were still the familiar songs us nerds know, but with more riffs. The scenery was stunning, and the dance scenes were amazing to witness. Plus, that surprise in One Last Day? Glorious.

Cynthia as Elphaba was a perfect choice. She brought such depth to an already well-crafted character. I loved, well, didn’t love, but appreciated seeing more of her relationship with her father. He sucks, by the way. The relationship between him and Nessa also helped give more credit to Elphaba’s love of her sister, and tendency to want to protect her. Let Nessa live her life. The tears on her face during Dancing Through Life was a beautiful moment that made me tear up. It showed how much Glinda’s actions really meant to Elphaba, and that one small gesture can mean so much to someone else. Truly, a beautiful moment that deserves an award, just on its own.

Ariana really brings Glinda to life. The perky, but also fragile ego is portrayed so well. In her interactions with her “friends,” it’s so easy to see that she sees them as her followers, rather than someone she can actually confide in. Also, the hair toss? I laughed every time. Toss, toss, everyone. Toss, toss.

Fiyero was classical fun and portrayed the selfish and unfeeling prince so well. He had such great comedic timing, and the feelings hidden in those moments with Elphaba were so well done. “I’ve been thinking. I heard.” I wanted to join in during Dancing Through Life. The dance scene in the library was stunning. Using a clock as the basis for the shelves, and having the dancers spin around as the song continued was an inspired choice by the director.

I loved seeing all the animal characters. There was a steady decline of these characters appearing through the movie until Dr. Dillamond was removed and it provided great world building. It allowed Elphaba’s realization about the Wizard to have more effect on the viewers.

I can’t forget about One Short Day. The inclusion of Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth in the movie gave it a full circle moment. They were the original Elphaba and Glinda on Broadway and seeing them interact with Ariana and Cynthia was such a wholesome thing. If I had tears during Dancing Through Life, I was full on crying during One Short Day.

Other notable things:

• I loved seeing Nessa being played by an actress who uses a wheelchair
• Fiyero using the same horse from Bridgerton is such a cute fact
• The costumes were great and just helped everything come together. Glinda was so easy to see in dance scenes with all that pink.
• I loved the dances. And seeing so many dancers of all sizes throughout the movie
• I love sassy Fiyero and Elphaba
• The wizard is the original scam artist.
• I love Glinda’s two main followers (do they even have names?)
• I loved that quick shot in the beginning of Dorothy and the crew on the yellowbrick road.
• The scene of the Wizard trying to figure out what color to make the road was such a fun little touch.
• We got to see a bit more of Nessa’s obsession with Boq. And it made more sense why she was with her father when he heard the news about Elphaba.
• I wonder how Madame Morrible got tangled in with the Wizard’s plans.
• I wonder how the Wizard got the Grimmerie in the first place.
• Every song was performed so well.
• Defying Gravity was, of course, the best way to end the first movie.

I can’t wait until the second part comes out next year. I’m ready to be hurt again. Excuse me while I head back to the theater for the sing-along version.