Wicked (Part One)

Today I saw a flat-out magical masterpiece on film.  The venue, SIFF Cinema (formerly Cinerama), 11 am show, perfect seats, back row center balcony, just about as good as it gets.  After reading the book, seeing the play, being inundated with trailers and clips and talk show interviews, I can safely say that this is a predictable winner.  The character development, dialogue, casting, humor, sound, technical wizardry, all are spot on.  And no, it’s not a “kids” film.  I’m sure there were more than a few misinformed attendees who thought they were going to see The Wizard of Oz redeux with new songs, Kansas in black and white melting into a technicolor Munchkin land and beyond to the Emerald City of Oz.  Waiting a year for the second half is going to be a test of patience, but I anticipate it will be more than worth it.  Steampunk on steroids, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are worthy of every nomination and award they receive, without question, in this writer’s opinion.  Rating:  5 stars and that’s saying something because my ratings only go to 4—and no, I respected my fellow attendees by not singing along.  Although it was very tempting…it would have ruined the experience because the stars singing live throughout the film is perfection.