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This movie hits so much harder than the stage show because the close-ups allow you to see the heartbreak in Elphaba’s eyes. The friendship between the two leads feels so genuine and tragic. I saw grown men crying in the theater during the dance scene. It takes a story we all know and adds this layer of political depth and emotional weight that I wasn't expecting. It’s not just a 'musical for theater kids'—it’s a serious film about prejudice and propaganda. I am already counting down to Part 2.😃

Jon M. Chu has created a masterpiece of color and scale. After years of movies looking like gray sludge (looking at you, Marvel), it is so refreshing to see a film that actually embraces vibrancy and practical sets. The use of real tulips, the massive library set, and the costumes are breathtaking. It feels like old-school Hollywood magic. Splitting it into two parts was a risk, but it pays off because the story actually has room to breathe. The 'Defying Gravity' finale is a cinematic religious experience.

I will be the first to admit I was terrified when they cast Ariana Grande as Glinda. I thought it was just stunt casting for pop fans. But oh my god, I was wrong. She completely disappears into the role. Her comedic timing, the operatic vocals, the chemistry with Cynthia Erivo—it is perfection. She isn't playing a pop star; she is playing a theater icon. If she doesn't get at least a Golden Globe nomination for 'Popular,' the system is rigged. She was born to play this role