Really liked the on-stage performance (saw it about 5 or 6 times)

For my birfday today, my wife was able to get us some advance screening tickets (i guess the opening is this Friday?) at the kind of place which sell dinner and beer.

On the plus side - they sell beer (with exception of Jesus Christ Superstar, I am not a fan of stage to movie adaptations).

On the downside, local news just reported AMC Theaters put out guidance of how not to act in the theater (no singing with movie, no dancing in the aisle, no texting during or trying to record the movie and other stupid, "what happened that makes them want to put this kind of sheet out? type stuff."

Will give a non-spoiler review on the morrow.

*** Review Below ***

First: The screening was in 3-D. This turned out to be rather excellent and was not a distraction. (I wear glasses the 3-D glasses provided were not a distraction for me.)
Second: The theater's volume was NOT too loud. IMO, the volume was perfect. At this particular theater, I made a very vocal complaint about the volume of Dune Pt. 1. Other patrons joined in, politely, when they realized I was discussing this with the theater's manager.)

The Music: Damn, those two actresses could harmonize as well as, if not better, than the Andrew Sisters. Their singing was awesome, especially together.

Having seen the stage play a few times (see above); compared to the stage, I would put the movie at an 8.5 (maybe a 9.0?) against the stage production although, there was at least a 6.0 [new] song by the prince and they must have pumped a lot of dust into the theater for a [new?] song with Elpheba and Glinda which was easily a 10.0 moment.

If I were see the movie first and THEN see the play, I might put the stage production at 8.0 against the movie. Movie allowed for more character development. YMMV

Characters: To be honest and only based on some of the previews, I went in thinking the actress for Glinda was going to be the star-shine. She was not, IMO. It was the actress for Elpheba. IMO, the Glinda actress was not flipping her hair and doing the other things which made me laugh and her timing of quips seemed off compared to my recollection of the stage performances (director's flaw).

OVERALL: will buy it on DVD (preferably with the 3-D option too) and may see it again in the theater. My wife almost definitely will see it again with couple friends.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LS1 GTO,

I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to seeing this. Many years ago I saw it with Idina Menzel and was forever hooked; have seen this show 5 or 6 times now.

Recently I watched a YouTube video where the movie cast discussed how the singing was done ‘live’ instead of dubbed; making it more personal and real.

Not long ago I learned that this will be movie 1 of 2. This film ends at the same time the broadway show does for intermission, after the Defying Gravity number.

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin1069:
I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to seeing this. Many years ago I saw it with Idina Menzel and was forever hooked; have seen this show 5 or 6 times now.

Recently I watched a YouTube video where the movie cast discussed how the singing was done ‘live’ instead of dubbed; making it more personal and real.

Not long ago I learned that this will be movie 1 of 2. This film ends at the same time the broadway show does for intermission, after the Defying Gravity number.

Good to know in advance - thank you!

quote:

what happened that makes them want to put this kind of sheet out? type stuff."

Facebook, Instagram, Only-Fans, iPhones......

We're meeting up with some friends & seeing this on Saturday.
Cinema grill double-date night, so dinner & a movie.

Never seen the live show, so I have no expectations on the movie.
The girls are excited for it, my buddy & myself 50/50.

Glad to see some positivity on it here.

Now with a personal review in the OP

Saw it tonight. Cinema grill, so enjoyed a decent burger & an Old Fashioned with it.
Went in with no expectations.
Beginning didn't hook me, but got better once it shifted into the story. Very well done & enjoyed it.
Nice little surprise midway as well.

Thanks for the review. That's good to hear.

I saw the stage production at the Fox in Atlanta with my wife (her third viewing, I think) and I loved it, though I'd listened to the musical CD in my wife's car on countless family trips by then and knew all of the songs. Needless to say, she and the kids loved it and the CD stayed in the CD changer until we got rid of the car.

She told me just this morning with a bit of disappointment in her voice that this is part 1 of 2. She wants to wait to see both together so we'll do what she wants.