Oz Prequel Wicked: A Video Review - My Totally Honest Take
Hey everyone! So, I finally saw Wicked, the prequel to The Wizard of Oz, and wow, what a ride! I’m gonna give you my totally honest review, warts and all, because let's face it, nobody wants another generic, overly-positive movie review. I mean, I'm a huge fan of the Wizard of Oz, it's a classic, right? So, naturally, I had high expectations. This wasn't just some random flick; this was a prequel to a cinematic legend. The pressure was ON.
The Good, The Bad, and the Green
Let's start with the good stuff. The visuals were absolutely stunning. Seriously, the costume design? Mind-blowing. They really nailed the whimsical, fantastical world of Oz. The special effects were top-notch, especially the flying monkeys – seriously creepy and awesome at the same time. The music was catchy too, though I did find myself humming the original Wizard of Oz soundtrack more than a few times. It had its moments.
But here's where things get a little… complicated. The pacing felt off in places. Some scenes dragged on, while others felt rushed. I also thought some of the plot points were a little predictable – I kinda saw the big twist coming a mile away. And I'm not gonna lie, some of the dialogue felt a bit clunky, almost like they were trying too hard to be clever. It’s like they were trying to cram too much backstory into the story.
My Biggest Gripe: Character Development
My biggest problem with Wicked wasn't the special effects or the music, it was the character development. While Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West) was fascinating and complex – I totally get why she became who she is in the Wizard of Oz – I felt like Glinda’s character arc could have used more depth. The contrast in their personalities and how that influences their story. It’s a great concept, but the movie falls a bit short of fully exploiting it. I needed more! More emotional resonance!
Worth the Hype? Maybe.
So, was Wicked worth seeing? That’s a tough one. It's a visually stunning film with some great musical numbers. It expanded the Oz universe, providing context for The Wizard of Oz and offering many different interpretations, even re-interpretations, of the beloved characters. But the uneven pacing and somewhat predictable plot points held it back. And, again, the character development was the biggest stumbling block for me.
If you're a die-hard fan of The Wizard of Oz, you'll probably enjoy Wicked, even if it doesn't quite meet every expectation. But if you’re going in completely blind, maybe temper your expectations. It's a good movie but not a masterpiece.
Actionable Advice: What to Expect
- Stunning visuals: Prepare to be wowed by the costumes and special effects.
- Catchy music: Expect some new tunes to get stuck in your head.
- Uneven pacing: Be ready for some slow moments and some quick ones.
- Character development: Don’t expect everything to be perfectly wrapped up.
Overall, I’d give Wicked a solid 7 out of 10. It's definitely worth watching, but maybe not rushing out to buy tickets immediately. Rent it or wait for it to hit streaming. Let me know what you thought in the comments below! I'd love to hear your perspective. And remember, this is just my personal opinion!