Professor Popinjay's Compendium of Perspicacity

(2024)

A Non-Review by Professor Popinjay

Isaiah 5:20 says “Woe to those who call Wicked good…”

Mary Shelly wrote “No man seems evil when you allow him to tell his story.”

It’s also been said “Everyone is the bad guy in someone else’s story.”

The modern prevalence of the misunderstood or sympathetic villain seems more realistic even in a world where “some men just want to watch the world burn.” Despite Alfred Pennyworth’s illustration of the Joker in the Dark Knight film, the Joker himself did have a deep sociological understanding of an inherent selfishness that equalizes every “criminal” with every “law-abiding” citizen. While Heath Ledger’s Joker presented a past which seemed contradictory and unreliable, it still hinted at abuse and trauma. When we look at the traits of serial killers it can be shocking to see what we have in common with them. The difference is more obvious when we consider what we entertain and how we cope with trauma.

But when we consider the perspective of the antagonist, should that make all the protagonists into bad guys? This is where I take issue with Wicked… and the Maleficent films while we’re on the subject.

I’d like to explore this concept more but I’ve only seen Wicked Part 1. I’ve not read the book nor seen the Broadway production. Perhaps new perspectives and changes of heart will be revealed. So I’ll settle down and lay this notion to rest for the moment.

I hope I shan’t invoke too much woe when I call Wicked good. I’ll make it perfectly clear. I don’t condone true evil, no matter the perspective. I’m just saying the movie was well done and I’m interested to see part 2. That being said, I do hope Part 2 wraps it up because I don’t think I could sit through an 8 hour musical if they do a part 3.

I want a circular rotating bookcase. The Emerald City looked amazing. I really liked the train. Jeff Goldblum was interesting as the wizard, although I do think it would have been hilarious if the giant mechanized version of the wizard would have looked more like a reclining bare-chested Ian Malcom from Jurassic Park.

The climax was pretty fantastic. Well worth the wait through 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Personally, I found the songs to be too similar from one to the next. I like to hear some variety if I’m going to listen that long. Ariana Grande can sing so shrill and frequently does so in this film, I’m surprised there weren’t a pack of hound dogs outside the theatre holding their ears. I’ve never seen a person strangle themself with their own neck muscles the way she does as GUH-Linda. Let’s hope she doesn’t visit any small Alpine villages at the foot of the Matterhorn… 

I appreciated the relationship between Elphaba and Galinda. Too often we write people off because of their looks, their persuasion, or even convictions. If we just get over ourselves for a minute, people from very different worlds can at least be cordial with each other, if not good friends. Again we come to the matter of perspectives.

In a multitude of counselors there is safety. See all the perspectives you can.