Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo defy expectations

Over the past few weeks, there has been a seemingly endless cycle of coverage of Jon M. Chu’s epic musical film adaptation. evil Sadly, things turned out horribly.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who play Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, respectively, walk through a classroom at SHIZ University. the tears they shed Take the time to work together. London’s Greenwich has been renamed (admittedly witty) GreenWitch. Charli XCX led a slightly humorous event saturday night live sketch About stars auditioning for movies. We’re worried about Jonathan Bailey’s eyelashes. Considering how much she’s had to flop around on red carpets and interviews lately, it’s amazing that her eyelashes haven’t fallen out.

That’s all without getting into the actual scandalousness. Erivo’s widely ridiculed response to a fan-created poster. Mattel’s pornographic Barbie doll. Grande’s relationship with her co-star Ethan Slater, who plays Munchkin Bo, attracted attention.

So what a relief to be able to say it was all worth it. evil (Part 1, may I add – the film’s promotional team certainly wasn’t) is an absolute blast.

If you’re a lover of musical theater or just want to know what all the fuss is about, you already know the plot. Like a stage show, a prequel to a movie wizard of oz It begins with Glinda and the people of Oz celebrating Elphaba’s death, and Glinda is forced to open up about her former friendship with her supposed adversary, Green.

We travel back in time and tell the story of why Elphaba was born green in the first place, and how Glinda and Elphaba went from strangers to roommates to classmates to friends (if you think deep down) If there is) evil (In lore, you might expect a bit of sapphic intimacy, but we’ll have to settle for flimsy vibes here) and why the people of Oz turned their backs on the once-promising wizard. At this point, the film cuts off with a truly moving performance. evil Standard song “Defying Gravity”. It might be 2 hours and 45 minutes long, but again, this is only part 1, with part 2 set to be released in November 2025.

Erivo has recently caught fire on social media – the press cycle is here again – belittle As Chu searches for Glinda, actresses join her during the audition stage. She said none of them compare to Grande, and it’s hard not to believe her, cat comment or not. Grande is a revelation evil: She’s more interesting than her detractors would have you believe. Her Glinda was obsessed with Regina George’s slightest whims.

In fact, the entire movie is fascinating mean girls-and-harry potter-and-Wednesday It’s really fun to blend. Erivo is also a surprising character, embodying the naivety and confidence required to transform one of history’s most famous villains into a relatable heroine. Together they become electrically charged.

The entire supporting cast gets a fair share of screen time, but Fierro, played by Jonathan Bailey, is noticeably lacking, considering the ubiquity of the actors’ breasts and legs leading up to the film’s release ( That’s where part 2 comes in) course). Michelle Yeoh is perfect as Mrs. Morrible, and Bowen Yang’s clearly gay Fanny is an underused highlight. There’s also a cameo to end all cameos, a scene that will bring even the most stoic of Broadway buffs to tears.

Just as big-budget adaptations of existing pop culture behemoths have become commonplace, social media evil Long before the movie’s release date approaches. Complaints about the trailer’s washed out colors were understandable, but the final product is a visual feast, with each scene lit in bubblegum pinks, deep greens, and soft blues. There’s no place like home, but Oz has never felt so warm and familiar.

That being said, there are a few points. About halfway through, my mind started thinking about tomorrow morning’s email, which was never a good sign. It’s so long (a whopping 2 hours and 41 minutes) that it’s hard to concentrate, but the energy dip is fleeting.

There will probably be some noise about the decision to refer to Elphaba’s sister Nessarose (played by Marissa Bode) as “tragically beautiful” simply because she is paraplegic and in a wheelchair. Yes, this is a line taken directly from a stage show, but does it really need to be included? In 2024, people with disabilities will believe that their lives are “tragic” because of that fact. You don’t need to be told that. However, there are some points in which disability is expressed positively. Bode is the first actress to play Nessarose, who is actually in a wheelchair in real life, while one early scene shows Elphaba furious that her brother was taken away in a wheelchair without her consent. be.

Some may also question the decision to include the musical’s most famous numbers, “Defying Gravity” and “POPULAR” in the first part, while leaving the second part with fewer attention-grabbing elements. Honestly, this is a smart choice. This film adaptation is so appealing, especially thanks to its musical tempo, that audiences will rush back for the second film regardless. Always wait in line to buy tickets.

This is my truth: The first time I saw it evil I didn’t like him on stage. Granted, I was 11 years old and my tastes may have changed. But after seeing Chew’s adaptation, a return visit may be necessary. Think I’m spellbound.

evil ‘ will be released in theaters on Friday, November 22nd.

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