Return to Oz

 In 1995, writer Gregory Maguire wrote the best selling fantasy novel "Wicked".  It is a revision of the "Wizard of Oz" in which the life of Elphaba, aka the Wicked Witch of the West, is presented in a sympathetic light.  Maguire's novel was later used as the basis for the hit Broadway musical.  The musical in turn spawned a two-part movie.  Alejandro and I saw the first part last year.  Although we enjoyed the movie, I thought that Hollywood was milking it for all they could by turning it into a two-part movie.  Nevertheless, last Saturday afternoon, we went to see part two, "Wicked: For Good".

Although some critics have panned the second part of the movie, I thought that it was better than the first part.  I can also see that the reason behind making the musical into a two-part movie was not entirely a matter of money-grubbing.  The movies delve much more deeply into the relationship between Elphaba and Glinda the Good as well as the political situation of Oz.  The musical (as I remember it) largely ignored politics.  However, the second part of the movie is closer to Maguire's novel in that it portrays the government of Oz as an authoritarian regime in which the sapient, talking animals are repressed, murdered, or enslaved.  Elphaba is more of a freedom fighter than a wicked witch.  It is the government's propaganda machine that vilifies her.  The Wizard is neither wonderful nor magical, but simply an opportunistic conman.  (Hmmm... sound familiar?)

The lead roles of Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) are excellently acted and sung.  However, I do have one criticism of modern musicals in general.  In most shows nowadays the songs are completely forgettable.  You don't leave the theater humming the melodies.  Gone are the days of Rogers and Hammerstein or Lerner and Lowe whose shows were filled with memorable songs that became standard classics.  (Think of shows like "South Pacific", "The Sound of Music" or "My Fair Lady".)

Although I doubt that the movie will win big at next year's Academy Awards, I do suspect that it will garner many well-deserved nominations.