Not everything that is popular is popular with everyone. That’s one of the many lessons learned from musicals evil Written by Galinda, a self-proclaimed “popular” princess, applicable to people, places, movies, movie reviews, and musicals. evil.
Over the course of the show’s journey through Oz, Galinda eventually becomes Glinda the Good Witch of the North, the mortal enemy of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, who was once her friend.
Their Tony Award-winning story from rivalry to friendship to feud is adapted from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and screenplay by Winnie Holzman. (The novel itself is a riff on the Oz character created by L. Frank Baum, and the 1939 MGM The iconic musical) has been transformed into a teen fantasy romance that promotes tolerance, individuality, and female empowerment.
Opening on Broadway in 2003, the show is still running, its national and international tours are still sold out, and its fan base is still waiting for its big-budget film adaptation by director Jon M. Chu. I am eagerly awaiting (in the heights), starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, a green-skinned outcast, and Ariana Grande as Glinda, a bubbly blonde they meet as classmates at Shizu University. The enduring popularity of this property is undeniable.
But for those who prefer the adult atmosphere and political complexity of Maguire’s novels, or those who don’t have much affinity for Schwartz’s Disney-ized music, evil is a decent musical, but Chu’s visual effects spectacle does little to enhance the experience.
But a big step in the right direction is the film’s best special effect, the casting of Erivo as the rebel Elphaba.
The Tony-, Emmy-, and Grammy-winning performer’s voice soars through loud numbers like “The Wizard and I,” buoyed by Elphaba’s painfully honest depiction of her utter unpopularity.
Poor Elfie, born a shocking pea shade, is ridiculed and shunned throughout her life, treated abhorrently by her father, Flexper (Andy Nyman), Governor of Munchkinland, and is usually humble and quiet. He has been taking care of his doting younger sister, Nessarose (Marissa Bode). .
But she has an inner fire, and Erivo conveys it with the sparkle in her eyes and the set of her jaw. At that moment, Elphaba reveals her powers in a violent explosion of magic. Her on-screen presence pushes through convincing green make-up, contacts, and restrained costumes, making the role so easy that Elphaba plays a flimsy character who recoils in horror every time she takes on a daring challenge. In contrast to the people, she looks like the most realistic gal in the fantasy land of Oz. Take up space.
The constant horrified gasps and stares underscore the musical’s contention that evil witches may be born, or cruelly created by a world that offers them nothing to react to except contempt. Elphaba’s surprised reaction to her uniqueness is also played as a gag. “Oh my god, she’s green!” Yes, she is for the 15th time.
Of course, when you turn a two-and-a-half-hour stage musical into two two-and-a-half-hour movies, you need padding.
In part 1, try saying the funniest “(Gasp!) You’re green!” Galinda is played by Ariana Grande, a former child actress and current Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist.
Grande (credited onscreen as her real name Grande-Butera), as written by Holtzman and Dana Fox, is a heavily inspired character, exemplified by Galinda’s comically extravagant hair toss. , acting more politely. A naturally gifted comedienne, Grande can also flip her hair and make it funny, and Part 1 follows Galinda and Elphaba’s budding friendship and their subsequent friendship with dashing classmate Prince Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey). The setting of the rivalry surrounding the characters becomes too strong, and the gag becomes overused.
Bailey looks every bit like a fairytale prince, but he doesn’t look like a college student. By the way, how old are these students? Because, with the exception of Shiz You’s mean girls Fanny (Bowen Yang) and Shen-Sheng (Bronwyn James), bullying, which often takes place in the schoolyard, is the work of 13-year-olds. And the love triangle is completely PG, with little hint of physical attraction.
But since no one on screen reflects the age of these children, the romance feels half-baked, especially compared to the compelling depth of Elphaba and Galinda’s friendship. The subplot about Oz’s shadowy, oppressive powers systematically silencing the country’s intelligent, talking animals feels half-hearted, but Peter plays Dr. Dillamond, a goat professor who is kind to his students. – Dinklage’s voice sells the CGI character.
Dillamond is one of several fully CGI characters that exist in a world where all scenery and landscapes appear to be enhanced by visual effects. Even the real locations are decorated with computer-generated colors and decorations so they don’t look real.
evilOz’s version of the famous flying monkeys looks so authentic that it drew cries of horror from several children under the age of eight who attended the press screening. But to adult eyes, these cartoon chimpanzees with their disproportionate tails pale in comparison to the flesh-and-blood creatures that terrorized Oz and audiences long ago.
Evil (★★☆☆☆) ‘ is rated PG and is showing in theaters nationwide. visit www.fandango.com.
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