‘Wicked’ Makes Streaming Debut - In Two Different Versions

Among the top-rated films from 2024, has now been made accessible for streaming. (I’m trying to avoid puns, but it seems I can’t resist!)

The popular movie adaption of half the hit Broadway musical “Wicked” is now streaming on Peacock. Notably, this service offers two versions: the regular theatrical cut and a special sing-along version titled “Wicked: Sing-Along.” This latter option displays song lyrics throughout the film and includes an introduction from its star-studded cast members, Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.

The movie “Wicked” will soon be available for streaming, following its highly profitable theatrical release. In total, it generated $740.2 million in the U.S., along with an additional $266 million internationally. This places it as the fifth highest-grossing film of 2024 and the top-earning movie that wasn’t a sequel. The other leading films of the year, listed in order, were “Inside Out 2”, “Deadpool & Wolverine”, “Moana 2”, and “Despicable Me 4”.

As a devoted fan, I’d like to share my excitement about a captivating prequel movie that takes us back in time, exploring the untold story of two iconic witches from “The Wizard of Oz.” In this enchanting tale, Cynthia Erivo breathes life into both Glinda the Good and the complex character of Elphaba, the misjudged outcast who eventually becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. This cinematic masterpiece remains remarkably true to its Broadway roots, making it a must-watch for any Oz enthusiast!

The movie merely covers the initial act of the Broadway play, leaving you wanting more of the narrative. However, I must say in my critique, the portions that are included in the film are skillfully presented with plenty of visual and technical panache, and the actors deliver top-notch performances.

The entire show flows smoothly with meticulous synchronization. Nathan Crowley’s impressive and stunning set designs surpass anything on Broadway in scale and elegance; this is particularly evident in Fiyero’s number, “Dancing Through Life,” which has been repositioned to a lavish library adorned with bookshelves shaped like colossal spinning drums, serving as the perfect canvas for acrobatic feats such as flips, spins, and slides. The choreography by Christopher Scott skillfully utilizes both the agile camera work and the vast troupe of dancers. Director Jon M. Chu masterfully captures this intricate dance with a range of creative camera techniques and tricks. Notably, “Loathing” employs clever split screens, while “One Short Day” makes use of prolonged point-of-view shots to explore the elaborate Emerald City set and its graceful inhabitants. Overall, this is an exquisite production that respectfully pays tribute to the beloved stage musical, transforming it into a cinematic blockbuster extravaganza.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that both the standard and musical versions of “Wicked” are currently streaming on Peacock. Mark your calendars, fellow film lovers, as the second part, “Wicked: For Good,” is set to grace the big screen on November 21 in cinemas near you.

Live-Action Movies Would Make Great Animated Films

Goldfinger (1964)

Every now and then, the James Bond series encounters a predicament regarding its persona as the leading actor reaches the end of his tenure, leaving producers in a quandary about the next steps (should we introduce a new character and pretend he’s always been James Bond? Should we reboot the supporting roles and start fresh? Or should we abandon everything that has transpired and create an origin story?). An animated version of James Bond could offer a timeless solution, much like Bart Simpson or Bugs Bunny, it could maintain a constant, youthful presence. An animated Bond movie would also have the freedom to experiment with something long desired by many Bond fans: A Cold War-era period piece. You could recreate classics such as Goldfinger, From Russia With Love, or Thunderball in animation. The adaptation could adhere more closely to Ian Fleming’s books. It could also introduce new elements. In essence, the possibilities are virtually limitless.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

A film as revolutionary and daring as Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” should not be remade in live-action format. Instead, a reimagined animated version of “2001” could offer a fresh perspective on the source material, featuring innovative designs for the spacecraft and stations while preserving the integrity of the original masterpiece. Moreover, envision the captivating visuals an animated stargate sequence would produce with today’s advanced animation techniques.

Alien (1979)

As a movie enthusiast, I find it hard to believe that we haven’t seen an animated Alien series yet! From blockbuster films to upcoming TV shows and countless comic books and video games, this iconic franchise has truly made its mark. Remember those toy lines from Kenner in the ’90s, with their slightly cartoonish Aliens look? There were even rumored animated commercials for these toys, leading to whispers of an unfinished series called Operation: Aliens. It seems much of this was just misunderstood footage from the cartoon ads, but a mature-rated Operation: Aliens animated film now feels like it’s too good to pass up!

Ran (1985)

Primarily, animation serves as a platform for captivating visual storytelling. Consequently, live-action films that exhibit a striking application of color could potentially be excellent choices for animated adaptations. One such film that immediately springs to mind is “Ran,” Akira Kurosawa’s stunning interpretation of “King Lear.” Given its roots in Shakespeare, one might argue that “Ran” is, in essence, a remake itself. Therefore, it would be intriguing to reimagine the same tale, featuring a strong father attempting to pass his kingdom to his sons, through an animator with a unique artistic style. This could result in a truly remarkable production.

Brazil (1985)

In Terry Gilliam’s movie “Brazil,” we are treated to a vibrant display of visual creativity. The story revolves around a worker in a bleak future society who finds respite from his monotonous existence through vivid dreams. The film’s unique, slightly askew production design is one of its main attractions. Remarkably, the two distinct realities portrayed in the movie – the mundane and the fantastical – present ample scope for a breathtakingly animated remake.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

The fight scenes in

Crouching Tiger

are so impressive they seem like they could be animated scenes. Given that it’s based on an old Chinese novel, turning those action sequences into an actual cartoon feels like a logical choice, as it would only add to the movie’s already stunning visual appeal and make it one of the most visually striking action films ever made.

Minority Report (2002)

In the past, the dystopian visions of Philip K. Dick have been transformed into animation for both movies like “A Scanner Darkly” and TV shows such as “Blade Runner: Black Lotus”. The intriguing world of “Minority Report”, characterized by its advanced technology, psychic abilities, and a police force pursuing those responsible for “precrimes”, seems ripe for an animated feature film or even a loosely adapted ongoing animated TV series. As the movie’s ending precludes a sequel, an animated remake could be a fresh take on this captivating story.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

In a realm as whimsical and extraordinary as that of “Pirates of the Caribbean”, with its colossal squid creatures and spectral pirate crews, one might ponder why animation hasn’t been tried yet – especially considering the unconventional escapades of Captain Jack Sparrow. With Disney experimenting with various continuations for this franchise recently, either featuring Johnny Depp or focusing on a fresh band of female pirates, it’s no secret that Disney excels in feature animation. So, why not merge these elements and create an opulent and exhilarating animated “Pirates”? Indeed, the idea seems quite logical.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

The movie “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” delved as deep as possible into the fragmented memories of its main character on a budget that was relatively modest (approximately $20 million). If made as an animated film, it could venture much farther. Notably, both the director Michel Gondry and writer Charlie Kaufman have experience in animation, so they potentially have the freedom to explore their ideas even more extensively if they were to reimagine their own work in this medium.

Sin City (2005)

Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller, the original comic-book artist, successfully brought the live-action version of “Sin City” to life with its comic-book aesthetic. However, even with the stylized visuals in the film and its sequel, an animated movie could take this style to a whole new level. It could revisit some of the most iconic Sin City stories or adapt the comics that were not included in the two films.

Avatar (2009)

Some may contend that since “Avatar” features a vast array of motion-captured characters inhabiting a digitally fabricated universe, it’s not such a stretch to transform it into a completely animated film. In fact, digital animation seems like the perfect choice given its prevalence in the “live-action” versions of “Avatar”. However, a hand-drawn version could offer a unique charm and originality to the material, making it stand out.

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Wes Anderson seamlessly transitions between live-action and animation, consistently infusing his distinctive, symmetrical, and vibrant aesthetic into his narratives. His sets, painstakingly crafted and designed, often give off an illusion of being artificial realms where live characters (or stop-motion figurines) reside. It’s intriguing to imagine how he would approach a more conventional animated production, such as transforming his masterwork, The Grand Budapest Hotel, into a cartoon format.

In the original film, varying aspect ratios were utilized to clearly denote each scene’s time period or framing story. Employing diverse animation styles or modes might serve a similar purpose, potentially amplifying the effect.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

To this point, the “Mad Max” series has primarily been explored through live-action films, with only a few comics and video games as supplements. However, the visual creativity and outlandish design of its universe suggest that an animated adaptation would be a natural progression. Wouldn’t it be intriguing to witness an animated Immortan Joe or Mad Max defying physics as he sends his Interceptor soaring through the Wasteland? These aren’t empty promises, but genuine questions!

Dune (2021)

The tale of “Dune” is remarkably unique, yet it has been reimagined in astonishingly diverse ways. Compare the distinct visual styles of David Lynch’s and Denis Villeneuve’s films; now envision an accomplished animator infusing their own artistic touch into this narrative. Despite my admiration for Villeneuve’s “Dune” films, I eagerly anticipate a future animated adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel. It seems not a question of if, but when this will happen.

2025-03-21 17:24

‘Wicked’ Makes Streaming Debut – In Two Different Versions