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Let me get the negatives out of the way. First, this did not need to be 160 minutes. Plenty of ways this could have and should have been trimmed. You do feel the length and when Emerald City is finally arrived to in all its grandeur well over two hours in, you think “Finally!” Second, the direction. John M. Chu plays the adaption as safe and as bland and colorless as one may fear. The lightning, there are frequent musical numbers and shots that are just, frankly, ugly to look at. But aside from these two glaring issues, there is so much to admire with Wicked. The performances are all exceptional. Ariana Grande, you have truly won me over with your acting chops and comedic timing. The music itself is exemplary with all vocalists (okay maybe not Jeff Golblum) singing wonderfully (though unable to live up to the highs of the original Broadway cast). And the costumes and production design highlight the wonder of Oz like so few other productions can. I just wish for a better director to have taken Wicked in bolder directions.
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